Content Tagged with Global

i-CERV and the Ismail Volunteer Corps partnered with The Salvation Army to prepare gift bags for the homeless and vulnerable people in Nottingham.

Over the years, Mawlana Hazar Imam has often spoken of the importance of civil society and of contributing towards the wellbeing of our communities. The iCERV programme in the UK has demonstrated that this ethic is very much alive within our Jamat.

i-CERV and the Ismail Volunteer Corps partnered with The Salvation Army to prepare gift bags for the homeless and vulnerable people in Nottingham.

Over the years, Mawlana Hazar Imam has often spoken of the importance of civil society and of contributing towards the wellbeing of our communities. The iCERV programme in the UK has demonstrated that this ethic is very much alive within our Jamat.

The Ambassador of Algeria, Fatiha Selmane, with the Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Teresa Ribeiro, and Diplomatic Representative of the Ismaili Imamat to the Portuguese Republic, Nazim Ahmad, at the commemorations of Africa Day at the Ismaili Centre Lisbon.

Earlier this month, the Ismaili Centre Lisbon participated in the annual commemoration of Africa Day, hosting a gathering of guests to enjoy diverse sounds, colours, and tastes, and to reflect on Africa’s future. Africa Day is commemorated on 25 May every year to mark the foundation of the African Union, which works to achieve greater unity, cooperation, peace, and sustainable development on the continent.

Involvement of youth in their communities is crucial to fostering a sense of empathy and encouraging participation in civil society initiatives for the betterment of society.

Motivated, young Ismailis from across the globe are involved in civil society initiatives that serve their communities and societies, often started by themselves, and are gaining recognition at national and international levels.

Nashir Karmali (left) with the FOCUS team crossing food aid into Afghanistan.

It had long been Nashir Karmali’s desire to offer voluntary service in a developing country. In 2007, he received a call that changed his career and life: He was asked to serve on a TKN assignment with Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) to conduct a strategic review of their operations in Afghanistan, aimed at expanding its mandate from refugee repatriation to include emergency management, disaster preparedness, and response.

When we access the Internet, on desktops, tablets, or smartphones, we may be at risk of fraudulent activity, which can present itself in a number of different ways.

Earlier this month, a vulnerability in the popular messaging service WhatsApp was discovered, which allowed hackers to install spyware though a voice call. This illicit software was capable of accessing calls, texts, and other data; even activating the phone’s microphone and camera. WhatsApp’s owner, Facebook, released an update in response, but it was already too late for some.

The Melbourne Pipe Band performs at the annual Australia Day breakfast hosted by the Melbourne Lions Club and the White Horse Council.

Music plays a vital role in culture and society alike, not only for expressing ourselves but also for promoting and uplifting physical and mental wellbeing. Music allows people from all different backgrounds to come together to appreciate and engage with their traditions, while also forming connections with one another.

"Civil society is where ordinary men and women, acting as individuals and communities, take the initiative to advance what matters most to them."

The.Ismaili is pleased to publish an interview with Dr Amyn Sajoo, a specialist in international human rights, civil society, and public ethics. As part of a series of interviews with key figures, Dr Sajoo discusses the notion of civil society, its history, significance, and potential to enrich democratic life around the world. 

Mirza Ali at Camp 3 of Mount Everest (22,000 ft). Mountain climbing is rooted in the history, geography, and culture of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Ismaili mountaineer Mirza Ali, from Shimshal Valley, Hunza, successfully climbed Mount Everest on Wednesday, 22 May, becoming the first Pakistani man to scale The Seven Summits — the highest mountains of each of the seven continents. Climbing The Seven Summits is regarded as one of the foremost exploration and mountaineering accomplishments. 

Young volunteers from Kampala work together to repaint the Kyanja Muslim Nursery School.

In Uganda, volunteer communities have come together in numerous ways to create positive change — a cornerstone of civil society. In a small township in the northern part of Kampala, more than 50 volunteers between the ages of 11 and 15 put their hands to work repainting the Kyanja Muslim Nursery School in late April. 

A vibrant and competent civil society is the cornerstone of a healthy and prosperous nation. It is where people work together to create change and build a better society.

The term civil society often appears in conversations amongst people concerned with social progress and positive change. But what does it actually mean, and why is it important? Here we explore some key aspects, and consider how the ethics and values of the Ismaili community can inspire us to contribute towards a strong civil society.

Seniors in Atlanta’s Matki Band performing at the Diamond Jubilee Opening Ceremonies on July 11, 2017.

Recreation plays a key role in the physical and mental wellbeing of everyone, young and old. For seniors especially, involvement in recreation has a number of benefits in enhancing cognitive and motor skills, and provides an opportunity for socializing and developing new talents. For a group of seniors in the USA, a passion for music has shown that age is no limit to composing and performing for themselves and others.

Mental health can be defined as ‘a state of wellbeing in which an individual realises their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community.’

Preservation of a sound mind is among the foundational principles of Islam's ethical code, which strives to ensure the dignity and honour of each individual from day to day, throughout the course of life. In general, it is also important to become more aware of, and to consider integrating holistic wellbeing into our daily routine, as this can have a benefit on the quality of our lives.

Alaudin Bhanji with former NASA administrator, Charles Bolden, at the Mars Science Laboratory  “Curiosity” Entry Descent Landing event.

It is a rare and historic honor to have an object in space named after an individual. This is usually reserved for someone who first discovers the object, generally after years of painstaking observation of the night sky. So to be recognized in this manner is indeed an occasion worthy of note. This is precisely what happened for Alaudin Bhanji at the end of 2018.

Portugal’s second largest city, Porto, is known for its history, industry, and culture. At certain points in its history, the city has been occupied by the Celtic people, the Roman empire, and the Umayyad dynasty, which has lent a diverse character to the urban area. At a ceremony on 2 May 2019, Mawlana Hazar Imam was presented with the Keys of the City.

Mayor Rui Moreira presents the Keys of the City of Porto to Mawlana Hazar Imam.

In the historic coastal city of Porto in Northern Portugal, Mawlana Hazar Imam was presented with the Keys of the City during a ceremony at Porto City Hall on 2 May 2019.

Spectators young and old celebrate the Netball competition at the European Sports Festival 2019.

During a weekend filled with sunshine, smiles, and sports at the University of Nottingham, thousands of members of the Jamat from 15 countries joined together in a celebration of diversity, service, and health and wellbeing at the European Sports Festival 2019.

Nabila Tejpar, pictured with her Father Aziz, has continued her family's tradition of motor racing.

As we sat in a bakery at London’s South Kensington waiting for our tea and cakes, I couldn't help but sense how composed the young woman sitting opposite me was. In Nabila Tejpar’s profession however, I sensed that staying calm under pressure came with the job. It wasn't every day that you met a young Ismaili woman who was taking the UK rally driving scene by storm. 

In January 2019, an independent Master Jury reviewed hundreds of nominations for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. A rigorous process in which a team of experts investigate each of the 20 shortlisted projects is now underway.

Details of the pillars, made out of upcycled gas pipes, at the Amber Denim Loom Shed in Gazipur, Bangladesh. The project has been shortlisted for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2019 cycle.

The shortlist of projects in the running for the 2019 Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) was announced at an AKAA exhibition hosted in Kazan in the Russian Federation. The 20 shortlisted projects, which include residential, cultural, educational and industrial buildings, as well as public spaces, are located in 16 countries.