Ismaili Centres: Ismaili Centre

Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

“The Jamatkhana is designed to be a social and cultural centre, as well as a place of congregation. It expresses the Ismailis’ desire to give of their best to the cultural and economic fabric of Canada. They are proud that it symbolises their commitment both to this country’s future and their ancient heritage. Nor is there any dichotomy in this dual aim. Muslims believe their faith is not for one time, but for all times and so there cannot be conflict between tradition and modernity.”
— Mawlana Hazar Imam, 23 August 1985

Ismaili Centre, Dubai joins with Architectural Heritage Society to host lecture series

ATHAR participants browse a selection of Aga Khan Trust for Culture publications at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai. Photo: Rafiq Ally

In the Autumn of 2009, the UAE Architecture Heritage Society hosted the ATHAR public lectures series in conjunction with the Ismaili Centre, Dubai. ATHAR is a programme of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, which advocates the conservation of cultural heritage.

AKDN Representative Nazim Ahmad, Dinah Azevedo Gomes, Ismaili Council for Portugal President Amirali Bhanji, and UN High representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Dr Jorge Sampaio participate in the proceedings of the 2009 Lisbon Forum hosted at the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Portugal

In November, the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon was the venue of the 2009 Lisbon Forum, an annual event of the North-South Centre. Focused on the “creation of a culture of human rights through education,” the gathering was organised in partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the Aga Khan Development Network.

Gathered at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby (L to R): His Excellency George Abola, High Commissioner for Uganda in Ottawa; Samira Alibhai, President of the Ismaili Council for British Columbia; His Excellency Professor Gilbert Bukenya, Vice President of Uganda; Malik Talib, Vice-President of the Ismaili Council for Canada; and John Halani, Honorary Consul for Uganda in BC. Photo: Riyaz Lalani

On 25 October 2009, His Excellency Professor Gilbert Bukenya, Vice President of Uganda visited the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby. Accompanied by His Excellency George Abola, High Commissioner of Uganda in Ottawa, he sought to reach out to the Canadian Ismaili community with an invitation to invest in the future of Uganda.

The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, 26th Governor General of Canada. Photo: Courtesy of the Canadian High Commission

On 21 October 2009, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, the 26th Governor General of Canada presented a lecture at the Ismaili Centre, London. Her talk focused on how Canada’s experience of evolving into a welcoming, pluralistic, post-modern society in the 21st Century can inform the creation of a new global citizenry based on openness, generosity, and mutual respect and well-being.

Gallery: Architecture of the Ismaili Centre, London

Gallery: Opening of the Ismaili Centre, London

Gallery: Foundation Stone Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, London

Golden Jubilee
Archive

Fifty years after he became the Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, the global Jamat commemorated Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee with special events and activities around the world that took place between 11 July 2007 – 13 December 2008.

The Institute of
Ismaili Studies

Nutrition
Centre

Featuring a library of traditional recipes annotated with nutritional information and healthy eating tips, as well as articles on how you can make your meals healthier.

Aga Khan
Development Network

Volunteers offloading medicines and relief goods received for Gojal. Photo: FOCUS FOCUS Provides Relief for Landslide Victims in Hunza, Pakistan

» Aga Khan Attends London Conference on Afghanistan (see related statement)

» Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance Expands in Damascus

Ismaili Centres
Around the World

The Ismaili Centres are symbolic markers of the permanent presence of the Ismaili community in the regions in which they are established.
Architecturally unique, each building is a safeguard and a symbol of the core values of the Ismaili Muslim community.

Ismaili Centre