We live in complex societies, surrounded by people from diverse cultures, with their own religions, traditions and values. In the midst of this diversity, many have become accustomed to focusing on what makes them different rather than concentrating on what they share with others – a common humanity. Many societies are tearing themselves apart in the misguided belief that they can reverse this historical process. Mawlana Hazar Imam has articulated a strategy to negotiate the diversity that envelopes us, which involves the embrace of pluralism as an essential value.
This dialogue examined the opportunities and challenges of diversity, helped us confront our own views, and facilitated a renewed appreciation for why pluralism is vital for the survival of cosmopolitan societies.
Dr Shiraz Kabani
Dr Shiraz Kabani joined The Institute of Ismaili Studies in September 1999. After serving as Executive Officer (1999-2000), Head of Resource Development and Communications (2000-2005), Head of Operations, Finance & Development (2005-2011), and Secretary to the Board of Governors (1999-2013), he now heads the Department of Community Relations.
In addition to a BSc in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (1987) and an MBA (1997), Dr Kabani has earned a Doctor of Management in Organisational Leadership (2017). His dissertation, entitled Linking Ethics and Leadership, was based on a hermeneutic phenomenological study to explore the role of ethics in organisational leadership practice in non-profit organisations in the United Kingdom. Dr Kabani’s research interests include leadership in non-profit contexts and ethics in cosmopolitan societies.
Dr Kabani’s professional experience includes eleven years as Executive Officer of the Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board for the USA and as the Managing Director of an IT consulting firm in Houston. Over the past 35 years, he has served as an Alwaez and a public speaker and faculty member for human resource development programmes of the IIS and Ismaili community institutions in Europe, North America and South Asia. He has also participated in the conceptualisation of various international projects for the Ismaili community and has served as the Vice President of the Ismaili Council for the UK (2009-2015).
