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: Pakistan

New jamatkhanas in Northern Pakistan serve as catalysts for improving quality of life

A view from within the court of the Danyore III Jamatkhana in Gilgit. Photo: Courtesy of AKPBS, Pakistan

Part of a seismically unstable zone that is prone to earthquakes, floods, landslides and droughts, Pakistan's northern region has long been home to a signifiant Ismaili population. Several new purpose-built jamatkhana projects blend traditional building with new disaster-resistant techniques. From design and construction to finished product, the new structures offer a model to uplifit the quality of habitat throughout the region.

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Through the camera lens: Life after the floods (Part 2)

Life after the devastating floods — a boy lost in thought in Darkut, Gilgit-Baltistan. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan

In this conclusion of a two-part story, broadcast journalist Faridoun Hemani recounts his experience as part of a team that visited areas stricken by the 2010 Pakistan floods to document the impact of the AKDN Early Relief and Recovery Programme. The team travelled to Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, where they listened to local people tell life-changing stories.

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Through the camera lens: Life after the floods (Part 1)

Local volunteers are seen crossing the raging river to make relief goods available to the flood affected communities in Darkut. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan

In this first installment of a two-part story, broadcast journalist Faridoun Hemani describes his experience as part of a team that visited areas stricken by the 2010 Pakistan floods to document the impact of the AKDN Early Relief and Recovery Programme. The team travelled to Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, where they listened to local people recount life-changing stories.

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Finding happiness through adoption, the gift of a lifetime

The Bhakta and Dhalla families share their adoption experiences. Photo: TheIsmaili / Anita Bhakta / Zeena Dhalla

Each year, thousands of North Americans adopt orphaned or abandoned children, and make a lifelong commitment to love and care for them. Two Ismaili families share their personal stories of adoption, and journeys they undertook to bring their children home.

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The value of one hundred smiles

For nearly 16 years, Shamim Hassan Shivji placed close to 100 Karachi orphans with couples from around the world. She and a neighbour routinely cared for the orphaned or abandoned infants while seeking out loving homes for them. She never charged for the service — her reward was seeing kids she placed grow up to become well-educated members of society.

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New Jamatkhana strikes a dignified presence in the capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province

The Ismaili Jamatkhana Lahore symbolises centuries of the community’s presence in the region. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan

The new Ismaili Jamatkhana Lahore is the first facility to be purpose-built for the Jamat in that city. Rooted in tradition and heritage, it symbolises centuries of the community’s presence in the region, and its continuity in a land steeped in the many interpretations and practices of Islam.

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Climate change, the carbon market and trees

Through “Planting a Tree for Africa”, the Serena Hotels Group has planted over one million trees in the National Parks of Kenya. Photo: Courtesy of AKDN

Over the last 25 years, AKDN has planted over 100 million trees in Asia and Africa. Many communities already recognise that sustainable agro-forestry provides dividends in the form of food, fuel and fodder, and the emergence of a global carbon market presents new opportunity.

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Compassion and volunteerism save Pakistan’s most vulnerable

A tent village established by FOCUS to house those displaced by the torrential rains that struck Sindh in August 2010. Photo: Courtesy of FOCUS

Massive flooding last year in the regions surrounding the Indus River caused devastation, destroying more than 1.4 million acres of cropland and over one million homes. But the resilience of those affected and the compassion and generosity of those providing assistance offers hope and lessons for the times ahead.

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Salimahabad Orchestra in Pakistan fuses contemporary forms of music as part of a continuing tradition

Members of the Salimahabad Orchestra. From left to right: Amirali Meghani, Naveed Rajput, Sadaf Faiz, Asif Noorani, Rahim Sundrani, Sohail Noorani, and Rafiq Vadivala. Photo: Courtesy of the Salimahabad Orchestra

A passionate group of eight individuals makes up the Salimahabad Orchestra in Pakistan. They recently released an album that espouses a vision of life, devotion to faith and respect for humankind through a fusion of contemporary musical genres including hip-hop, Arabic melody and soft rock.

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“Superstars” near and far work to help the people of Pakistan in the wake of flooding

 Photo: TheIsmaili.org

Despite the magnitude of the disastrous flooding in Pakistan and the impact on its people, many in the international community remain unaware, and the attention garnered early on has waned. Through individual and organised institutional efforts, many Ismailis, together with others in Pakistan and around the world, have sought to raise awareness and funds to support flood relief efforts.

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Of flood rains and resilience: The struggle to survive in the wake of the Pakistan flood disaster

A family finds shelter from the flood devastation at a FOCUS relief camp in Sindh. Photo: Ismaili Council for Pakistan / Al Jaleel

Millions of people throughout Pakistan have been devastated by heavy downpours and massive flooding that has been described as one of the worst disasters in the country’s history. But in the face of calamity, communities, institutions, government and civil society are coming together to help one another and rebuild lives.

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

FOCUS Pakistan delivering relief items to displaced people in Hundur village of the Yasin valley in Gilgit-Baltistan. Photo: Courtesy of FOCUS

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.

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Update from Focus Humanitarian Assistance

 Copyright: Focus Humanitarian Assistance

17 May 2010 — An update from Focus Humanitarian Assistance on FOCUS’ collaboration with Jamati institutions and national agencies in response to the devastating landslide that occurred in the Attabad village of Hunza Valley in Pakistan on 4 January 2010.

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Displaced people of Hunza struggle to move on

Women who survived the landslide rest in one of the schools that was re-purposed as a camp for internally displaced persons. Photo: Zulfiqar Ali Khan

Life in the Hunza valley was changed forever when a landslide buried the entire village of Attabad in the Northern Pakistan territory of Gilgit-Baltistan earlier this year. Despite extensive relief efforts, the future remains uncertain as a lake resulting from the landslide swallows villages and threatens the lives of thousands downstream.

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Fatal landslide in Hunza Valley threatens to flood villages

Camps have been set up in Altit and Karimabad for displaced families. Over 1 500 people have been registered. Photo: Courtesy of FOCUS

A massive landslide in the Hunza Valley damaged and buried three villages in the northern Pakistan territory of Gilgit-Baltistan, killing at least 19 people and rendering over 250 families homeless. Residents were quickly evacuated, but the aftermath of the landslide is also threatening populations outside of the immediately affected area.

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A lens into the legacy of Royal Photographer Noor Ali Rashid

This is an early image of the Carlton Tower,  opened in 1977 as Dubai

Born in 1929 in the port of Gwadar, Noor Ali Rashid was sent to Dubai by his father, who hoped to cure him of his interest in photography — a distraction from the family business. Instead, through the lens of his camera, Rashid bore witness to the unfolding of a new country.

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Art competition in Pakistan raises awareness of environmental issues

Forest cutting leaves animals homeless: A participant from southern Pakistan expressing herself at the regional competition. Photo: Courtesy of ITREB Pakistan

In Islam, protection of the physical environment is one of humankind’s responsibilities. The Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan organised a nationwide Friends of the Environment art competition to raise awareness about the importance of the natural environment and methods of preserving it.

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Road to the Games: Pakistan’s josh trials at AKU draw wide participation

Athletes line-up to register at the Aga Khan University Sports Complex in Karachi. Photo: Courtesy the Ismaili Council for Pakistan

The Pakistan Jamat participated in the josh trials for the Golden Jubilee Games at the Aga Khan University Sports and Rehabilitation Centre in Karachi, drawing more than 2 200 athletes from across the country.

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Rebuilding in post-tsunami Aceh

Alam meets regularly with community leaders to involve them in efforts to rebuild. Photo: Courtesy Naik Alam

Naik Alam has been working in the tsunami-affected region of Aceh, Indonesia since 2005, as part of an effort to rebuild the devastated province. He has applied his knowledge of sanitation to improve access to fresh water in some of the worst-affected communities in the region.

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Sports Festivals encourage individuals with special needs

Participants engage in a tug-of-war competition in Booni, Chitral. Photo: Courtesy Aga Khan Social Welfare Board Pakistan

Six Sports Festivals are being held across Pakistan to give members of the Jamat with special needs, an opportunity to take part in the Golden Jubilee year celebrations while promoting awareness and support for them and their families.

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Life in the fast lane

 Photo: Alimotorsports

The air was acrid and the noise deafening as state-of-the-art race cars zoomed around the track only coming in for a pit stop to pick up a fresh set of tires and more fuel. For a small group of Malaysian youth this outing exposed them to a very different career and allowed them to meet an Ismaili celebrity in their midst - Nur Ali, the dashing young racing phenom.

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Nanga Parbat - Hike to raise awareness of thalassemia

Scouts & Guides at base camp at Nanga Parbat. Photo: Aga Khan Scouts & Guides, UAE

The United Arab Emirates Thalassemia Society and Pakistani Thalassemia Society joined hands to increase awareness of thalassemia. Last year, the awareness effort was undertaken by a trek to Nanga Parbat in the Himalayas. The Aga Khan Scouts and Guides of United Arab Emirates participated and raised funds for this awareness campaign.

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