Introduction

The Shia Ismaili Muslims are a community of ethnically and culturally diverse peoples living in over 25 countries around the world, united in their allegiance to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan (known to the Ismailis as Mawlana Hazar Imam) as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader), and direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family).

 

Articles related to: Africa

Perched at the Daily Nation, young journalist shares a bird’s eye view of the Kenyan media landscape

 Photo: Arthur Buliva

Newly minted out of Columbia’s School of Journalism, Jami Makan spent eight months as an intern at the Daily Nation, the Nation Media Group’s flagship newspaper in Kenya. As the Nation celebrates its 50th year, he reflects on what he observed about the role and impact of the media in contemporary Kenyan society.

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Novel approach to Early Childhood Education in Africa is creating a valuable legacy

Children prepare for snack time at an AKF Madrasa Programme preschool in Uganda. Photo: Courtesy of Shamim Murji

Canadian kindergarten educator Shamim Murji recently returned to her country of birth, Uganda, where she volunteered with the AKF Madrasa Resource Centre. She shares her impressions of their preschool programme and the impact it is having on children, teachers and their communities.

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Ugandan Vice President speaks at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

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.

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Mombasa group offers support to families of children with medical needs

Members of the Paediatric Support Group pose together for a photograph. Photo: Courtesy of the PSG

When Tanuja Walli’s son was diagnosed and treated for a heart defect, she realised how many other families in Mombasa did not have the resources to provide their children with the health care that they required. She and a circle of concerned friends devised a plan to support families in crisis, both emotionally and financially.

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First days of school: Project Shelter Wakadogo opens in Uganda

Children line up to brush their teeth for the first time. Photo: Andrea Charbonneau

Earlier this year, TheIsmaili.org reported on Project Shelter Wakadogo, which was building a nursery school in Northern Uganda. Five months later, with the school built, we caught up with Farah Williamson, one of the project principals, to learn how they are progressing and their hopes for the future.

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Dar es Salaam plays host to the 2009 Unity Games

Participants parade into the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam during the opening ceremony of the 2009 Unity Games. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Tanzania

In April, the 2009 Unity Games held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania drew Jamati members from all over the country, as well as Kenya, Uganda and even Canada to compete in the spirit of brotherhood. Athletes were joined by spectators who also came to celebrate an enjoyable experience for all.

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Mawlana Hazar Imam visits East Africa

In advance of the inaugural ceremony, Mawlana Hazar Imam, accompanied by Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya, tours Forodhani Park with Luis Monreal, General Manager of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Photo: Zahur Ramji

Mawlana Hazar Imam, accompanied by Princess Zahra, is currently on a brief tour of East Africa to review the progress of Aga Khan Development Network initiatives in the region. Photographs of Hazar Imam’s visit to Mombasa and Nairobi can be viewed here.

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East Africa Visit

Mawlana Hazar Imam being presented with a bouquet of flowers by seven-year-old Ramla Saleh upon arrival in Nairobi. Photo: AKDN/Aziz Islamshah

Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee visits commenced with East Africa in August 2007.  In Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, he met with the Jamat and with government and civic leaders.  Mawlana Hazar Imam also announced a number of significant new AKDN initiatives.

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Mozambique Visit

Mawlana Hazar Imam bidding farewell to the Jamat of Mozambique upon his departure from Pemba airport. Photo: AKDN/Lucas Moura

Mawlana Hazar Imam's second Golden Jubilee visit to the Jamats in Africa began in Mozambique. As a State Guest, Mawlana Hazar Imam held a number of meetings with Senior Government officials, visited AKDN field projects and met with the Jamat.

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Benefits of local coffee house ripple through Old Town Mombasa

 Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Kenya

Nestled among the narrow streets of Old Town Mombasa is a little gem of a place that radiates the hopefulness of a new generation. Founded by three Aga Khan Academy teachers, the Jahazi Coffee House is making an effort to improve life in the surrounding community.

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A project for the little ones

Farah Williamson with children at a camp for internally displaced persons in Northern Uganda. Photo: Courtesy of Farah Williamson

In Northern Uganda, encouraging steps have been made towards peace in recent years, but there is a desperate need to rebuild civil institutions. One modest project is bringing hope to children and their families in a village just outside of Gulu district.

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Optometrist provides eye health services to people in need

Dr Soroya Janmohamed with patients from Hama and Salamieh who travelled to the eye health camp. Photo: Zahir Daya

According to the WHO, more than 90 per cent of visually impaired people live in developing countries. One Ismaili doctor is making eye health services accessible to some of them and improving the quality of their lives.

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Kenya launches commemorative Golden Jubilee stamps

The four commemorative stamps depict important initiatives of the Aga Khan Development Network in Kenya and the East African region. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Kenya

At the culmination of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee, a series of four commemorative stamps were issued by the Postal Corporation of Kenya. The stamps were unveiled by Kenya’s Postmaster General and the Vice-President of Ismaili Council for Kenya.

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Illustrated publication on Ismaili history launched in Kenya by The Institute of Ismaili Studies

Dr Farhad Daftary addresses the audience at the launch of the book “The Ismailis: An Illustrated History” which he co-authored with Dr Zulfikar Hirji. Photo: Zahir Daya

Kenya hosted the first major launch of an Institute of Ismaili Studies publication outside North America and Europe. The authors and staff of The Institute recounted the journey of the making of the book, and its importance at this juncture in Ismaili history.

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Celebrating the spirit of the Games

 Photo: Akber Dewji (Hakim Sons)

Over 1 200 volunteers have worked to ensure the success of the Golden Jubilee Games. Altaf Jiwa served as the Media Director for the event. He shares his reflections on what the Games meant to him.

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Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya join the Jamat to participate in the Games

Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya take in the Golden Jubilee Games finals at Moi International Sports Centre. Photo: Moez Visram  (Hakim Sons)

Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya attended the Golden Jubilee Games today, joining an audience of several thousand gathered at Moi International Sports Centre. In the afternoon they met the medal winners and posed for a photograph with them.

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Volunteers key to Canadian initiative to combat HIV-AIDS in Uganda

Alibhai works with local volunteers in Uganda to distribute ARVs to HIV and AIDS patients. Photo: Arif Karmali

Access to antiretroviral drugs has restored the quality of life of millions of HIV-positive people, but the cost of this medicine is prohibitive to populations in some areas of the developing world. Arif Alibhai and his colleagues from the University of Alberta have been working with volunteers in rural Uganda to change this.

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Athletes from around the world arrive to a warm Kenyan welcome

Participants celebrate their arrival in Kenya for the inaugural Golden Jubilee Games. Photo: Akber Dewji (Hakim Sons)

Hundreds of Golden Jubilee Games athletes were greeted upon their arrival at the Games Village on the premises of the Parklands complex in Nairobi. Most had travelled long distances, and for many the journey was their first to Africa.

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Road to the Games: The united colours of the France Jamat

The Ismaili football team <em>United France</em> poses for a team photograph. Photo: Courtesy Ismaili Council for France

The Golden Jubilee Games in Kenya will provide a platform for Jamati athletes from France, Belgium, Switzerland and Ivory Coast to demonstrate their athletic talent and enthusiasm on a global stage. Seventeen athletes from the French jurisdiction will travel to Nairobi.

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Congolese Jamat hosts a dinner in celebration of the Golden Jubilee

Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States, Sam Brock, in discussion with External Activities Task Force member, Nimet Janmohamed. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Kinshasa

As part of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Ismaili community in the Democratic Republic of Congo hosted a commemorative dinner in Kinshasa. The dinner was attended by Jamati leaders, key policy makers and government officials, and provided a forum to exhibit the work of the Ismaili Imamat in the country.

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Academy in Mombasa on the fast-track to realising its vision

A view of the Senior Block at the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa. Photo: Courtesy of The Aga Khan Academy

Aziz Batada is a teacher at the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, Kenya. He reflects on the rapid progress that he has witnessed over the past four years, and opportunities presented by the Academies programme.

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Maputo Jamatkhana evokes a long history of Ismailis in Mozambique

Full front view of the Maputo Jamatkhana in Mozambique. Note the glass-walled minarets. Photo: Emran Virgi

The Maputo Jamatkhana was once described by Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah as the best in Africa. Timeless in its design and beauty, the Jamatkhana testifies to the long history of the Ismaili Muslim community in Mozambique.

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West Africa visit

Mawlana Hazar Imam spends a moment with AKDN staff and volunteers from the Jamat of Burkina Faso, prior to departing the country. Photo: Arnhel de Serra

Monday, 28 April 2008
Mawlana Hazar Imam departed Burkina Faso for Côte d’Ivoire today. In Burkina Faso, Mawlana Hazar Imam met with the President, Prime Minister, senior government ministers and representatives of the AKDN.

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Ismaili Young Achievers Programme (IYAP), Uganda

Sophia Karmali (flute) and Job Tezigatwa  (piano) from the Kampala Music School perform during the Ismaili Young Achievers Programme. Photo: Zahir Rehemtulla

In February 2008 the Aga Khan Education Services, Uganda, held its first Ismaili Young Achiever’s Programme (IYAP). This recognition programme celebrates the academic and extra-curricular accomplishments of the youth of the Jamat.

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Gearing up for the Golden Jubilee Games

Fine form being displayed at a soccer match between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro. Photo: Courtesy AKYSB, Tanzania

Members of the Jamat from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda participated in an array of sporting events in Dar es Salaam over the holiday weekend in December 2007.

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Camp Wasal 2007

Madagascar

The Indian Ocean region islands include: Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Comoros and Reunion Island. The predominantly French-speaking Jamat is spread among these islands and, in an effort promote English among the youth, the Aga Khan Education Services, Madagascar organised an English language camp that brought together participants from continental Africa and the Indian Ocean region.

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Hike4Life takes on Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro. Photo: Courtesy Hike4Life 2007 participants

Forty-three participants of Hike4Life from Canada, France, UK and the USA took on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.  The six-day climb commenced 26 December 2007.

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Assisting with the HIV/AIDS battle in South Africa

Beaded AIDS Awareness Badges: These beautiful AIDS Awareness badges display the unique art of South African beadwork. Photo: The Ismaili Africa

Globally, AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognised in 1981. A group of Ismailis is working hard in South Africa to help address various aspects of HIV/AIDS. We profile their efforts in this article.

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Madagascar visit diary

Mawlana Hazar Imam at Ivato airport bidding farewell to the President of the National Assembly of Madagascar, Jacques Sylla before boarding his plane. Photo: AKDN/Gary Otte

Following his visit to Mozambique, Mawlana Hazar Imam was received as a State Guest in Madagascar. During his four day visit, he met with senior government officials, visited AKDN projects and met with the Jamat.

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Madagascar Visit

Members of the Jamat from Madagascar and around the world welcoming Mawlana Hazar Imam to Madagascar. Photo: AKDN/Zahur Ramji

Following on from his visit to Mozambique, Mawlana Hazar Imam was received as a State Guest in Madagascar. During his four day visit, he met with Senior Government officials, visited AKDN projects and met with the Jamat.

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Mozambique visit diary

Mawlana Hazar Imam bidding farewell to the Jamat of Mozambique upon his departure from Pemba airport. Photo: AKDN/Lucas Moura

Mawlana Hazar Imam's second Golden Jubilee visit to the Jamats in Africa began in Mozambique. As a State Guest, Mawlana Hazar Imam held a number of meetings with Senior Government officials, visited AKDN field projects and met with the Jamat.

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Forays into the global village

Sabeen Virani in Aleppo at the Church of St. Simeo. Photo: Provided by Sabeen Virani

Sabeen Virani talks about the growing phenomenon of young people across North America going overseas to study, work, or volunteer. She recounts her own experience in Syria as well as other individuals’ ventures to places like Sudan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Uganda.

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Training the leaders of tomorrow

Rizwan Virji at a leadership camp. Photo: The Ismaili Africa

Young people today require as much support as we can provide in their overall development. Outdoor leadership programmes can provide a continuous progression and a firm foundation from which to grow. Rizwan Virji writes about the initiatives organised for young members of the Jamat in Kenya with a view to enhancing their leadership development.

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A woman's efforts to help the needy

Presentation of the

A member of the Lions International, Dilshad Mohamed, a businesswoman, has undertaken many initiatives to help out the members of the community in which she lives. Her efforts have been recognised both locally and internationally.

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Beadwork around the world: Ancient to contemporary

Beadwork. Photo: Matthew Bowden

Whether as ancient artefacts, or contemporary jewellery, the ubiquitous bead continues to have a fascinating appeal around the world. There have always been people who value special bones, stones, shells, seeds and beads for their magical qualities. By incorporating beads into the cultural fabric of their lives, native people worldwide have given us a marvellously textured view of history. Fariyal Jiwa recounts her foray into this world of beads which have been employed by many people for many purposes.

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East Africa visit diary

Mawlana Hazar Imam being presented with a bouquet of flowers by seven-year-old Ramla Saleh upon arrival in Nairobi. Photo: AKDN/Aziz Islamshah

Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee visits commenced with East Africa in August 2007.  In Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, he met with the Jamat and with government and civic leaders.  Mawlana Hazar Imam also announced a number of significant new AKDN initiatives.

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Golden Jubilee Imamat Day in Africa

Members of the Aga Khan Band Troupe play at the colourful launch of the Golden Jubilee celebrations in Nairobi. Photo: Zahir Daya

11 July 2007 was indeed a historic day for the global Jamat, and to celebrate, Ismailis all over the African continent enjoyed several days of festivities leading up to Imamat day. Across the continent, the day itself began with flag raising ceremonies to launch the Golden Jubilee year, with Jamati leadership participating with Scouts, Guides, volunteers and members of the Jamat.

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