TheIsmaili.org

Changing lives in Congo, one smile at a time

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:06:00 GMT

Sixteen-month-old Jimla Kasenga and 61-year-old Mukadi Kabengele both have a reason to smile. Each of them underwent facial reconstructive surgery at Operation Smile’s recent medical mission to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The week-long mission was broadly supported by members of the local Ismaili community.

Reflecting on 25 years of the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:15:00 GMT

On 23 August 1985, then Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney, officially opened the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam and then Premier of British Columbia, Bill Bennett. The opening of the first Ismaili Centre in North America was a historic moment for the Jamat in Canada and around the world.

Jubilee Cup: Contact

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Jubilee Cup: Apply

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:29:00 GMT

Jubilee Cup: Getting there

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 01:17:00 GMT

Jubilee Cup: Jubilee Cup 2010

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 01:16:00 GMT

Jubilee Cup is the annual family sports event held for the UK Jurisdiction Jamat that plays host to Football, Netball and Traditional Volleyball tournaments. This year, the event, will also include an U11s swimming competition.

Jubilee Cup: Sports

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 01:16:00 GMT

Entrepreneurial women transform home-cooked meals into a source of income

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:47:00 GMT

The Jamat in Dubai includes a disproportionate number of bachelors and young families, who, with all the pressures of work and modern life, find it difficult to prepare traditional home cooked meals. Meanwhile, many older women in the Jamat possess exceptional cooking skills and an enterprising spirit. The opportunity to come together was obvious, and led to the creation of a Golden Alliance.

Harvard University Professor Ali Asani discusses a new course on Ismaili history and thought

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 03:04:00 GMT

In the spring of 2010, Harvard University, for the first time in its history, offered a course on Ismaili History and Thought. Harvard student Shenila S. Khoja-Moolji spoke with Professor Ali Asani about his experience designing and teaching it.

FOCUS deploys full-scale relief effort to assist thousands of flood victims in Pakistan

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 16:07:00 GMT

FOCUS Pakistan has launched a significant relief effort in the wake of severe flooding that has caused widespread destruction in several of the country’s provinces. With its Search and Rescue Team, Community Emergency Response Teams and hundreds of volunteers, FOCUS has already delivered food, shelters and supplies to hundreds of affected households, with some 200 tonnes of relief goods en route to help thousands more.

Malagasy students immerse themselves in Kenyan culture and hospitality

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:02:00 GMT

In April, 13 students from Madagascar travelled to Kenya for a week-long visit. It was an opportunity for them to experience a culture outside their own, meet Ismaili students from another country, and to immerse themselves in an environment where they could improve their spoken and written English.

Far East Jamat gathers in Penang for a day of sport, learning and fun

Sat, 7 Aug 2010 20:08:00 GMT

In June, Ismailis from Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur joined the Jamat in Penang, Malaysia for a sports day event that coincided with Father’s Day. Numerous activities were organised, but badminton and table tennis were the centrepiece competitions.

Scholarship opportunities abound; students need only apply

Wed, 4 Aug 2010 23:27:00 GMT

Each year, companies and charities offer more than $2 billion in private scholarships, which, in addition to being an attractive form of education financing, are also a prestigious form of recognition. But many scholarships go unfulfilled because nobody applies for them. Three students share tips from their scholarship successes.

Nutrition Centre: Avoid dehydration by making 6–8 glasses of fluid a regular part of your day

Sun, 1 Aug 2010 14:10:00 GMT

Summertime is when the warm weather draws many families outdoors to enjoy healthy activities. But unless we are careful, the heat can also lead to dehydration — a depletion of our body fluids. Here are some tips on how you can keep yourself and your family well-hydrated while enjoying the sunny season.

Jamat in Kabul comes together around week-long celebration of volunteerism

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:49:00 GMT

Earlier this year, the Afghan Jamat observed a week-long celebration of volunteerism, a tradition that has long been central to Ismaili culture. Volunteer Week was an opportunity to showcase the impact that volunteers have on the Jamat’s wellbeing, and increase the unity and collaboration among them, as well as within the wider Jamat.

Imamat Day in Tajikistan marks 15 years of engagement in the country’s development

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:51:00 GMT

On 11 July, the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe was the venue for an Imamat Day reception hosted by the Aga Khan Development Network in Tajikistan. The event, which also marked the 15th anniversary of the signing of an Agreement of Cooperation between the Government of Tajikistan and the AKDN, included a cultural show as well as a three-day exhibition of AKDN’s projects in the country during the past 15 years.

Economic Planning Board for the United Kingdom issues economic outlook message following UK emergency budget

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:45:00 GMT

In its June emergency budget, the UK government announced deep cuts to public spending and higher taxes. These measures will affect everyone, including businesses, the employed and those on social security benefits.

Disaster preparedness weeks raise awareness with practical tips and advice

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:11:00 GMT

To better equip the community to deal with emergencies, Focus Humanitarian Assistance has been running “Disaster Preparedness Weeks” in partnership with National Ismaili Councils around the world. During the week, practical tips and resources are shared with families to raise awareness of the regional risks and how to prepare for them.

Muslim art and cultural expression opens doors to interfaith dialogue in Houston

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 06:00:00 GMT

In May and June, the Houston Ismaili community collaborated with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston to organise educational events that explored and celebrated artistic traditions of the Muslim world. It was part of an ongoing outreach effort that has given way to greater dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims about their respective faiths and cultural heritage.

Governor General of Canada awards medals to three Ismailis during visit to Congo

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:29:00 GMT

During a state visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this year, the Governor General of Canada awarded medals of honour to a number of individuals, including three Ismailis. The Ismaili recipients were all Canadian wardens — volunteers who support the Canadian Embassy and resident Canadians in the event of a local crisis.

Performers join hands across the Indian Ocean to celebrate Africa at 2010 World Cup

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:20:00 GMT

Over the past four weeks, millions of people have turned their attention to South Africa, host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup championship. It is the first time that the tournament is being hosted in an African country, and for a group of Ismaili musicians who performed at the Kick Off Concert, the occasion is particularly special.

Preparing for the unexpected — A family takes lessons from a house fire

Thu, 8 Jul 2010 17:52:00 GMT

Confronted with a fire in their apartment complex in the middle of the night, a family’s quick thinking and presence of mind saved precious lives. The incident also illustrates the value of disaster preparedness.

FOCUS prepares disaster management teams in North America for the inevitable

Thu, 8 Jul 2010 17:51:00 GMT

Earlier this year, Focus Humanitarian Assistance in North America conducted disaster management and leadership training in Houston and Toronto, for their Regional Disaster Management Teams. As a key component of the Disaster Management Programme, the training prepared community stakeholders to effectively respond to natural and man-made disasters.