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: Tajikistan

First Ismaili Centre in Central Asia Opens

Mawlana Hazar Imam and President Rahmon share a joyful moment, following the unveiling of the plaque marking the inauguration of the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe. Photo: Gary Otte

Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 12 October 2009 — His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and His Excellency President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, jointly inaugurated the first Ismaili Centre in Central Asia — a region that has been home to Ismaili Muslims for more than a thousand years.

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Mawlana Hazar Imam opens “a park for all seasons” in the Khorog city centre

Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives at Khorog Park together with the First Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan and the Governor of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast. They are accompanied by the General Manager of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the AKDN Resident Representative for Tajikistan. Photo: Gary Otte

A newly revitalised Khorog City Park was inaugurated on 10 October 2009 by First Deputy Prime Minister Asadullo Gulomov of the Republic of Tajikistan, in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam. The Park is a significant new green space that will serve the residents of the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous region in Tajikistan.

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Imamat Day celebrations in Tajikistan feature education-themed reception

Some of the Aga Khan Scouts at the Imamat Day Reception gather for a photograph. Photo: Rafiq Dhanji

In Tajikistan, the celebration of Roz-e Takht Nishini has traditionally included family and neighbourhood gatherings with shared meals, music and dancing. This year, the AKDN Resident Representative Office contributed to the festivities by hosting an education-themed reception.

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Volunteer search and rescue team is the highlight of FOCUS event

The audience applauds members of the FOCUS Search and Rescue Team, who presented at an event celebrating the 15th anniversary of the organisation. Photo: Meena Badhrudin

In May, Focus Humanitarian Assistance celebrated its 15th anniversary with An Evening with Focus, held at the Ismaili Centre, London. The event created awareness of the integral role that FOCUS and its volunteers play in communities around the world.

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Young Ismaili travellers discover their history and heritage

Delegates visited the Citadel of Aleppo in Syria. Photo: Navroz Mitha

Last year, a group of young Ismailis from around the world undertook a unique expedition. Through the Heritage Discovery Programme, they explored the physical, intellectual and spiritual dimensions of centuries of Ismaili legacy.

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Civic participation and institutional expertise assist villages in Tajikistan to prepare for natural disaster

In the Ghund Valley of Shugnan district in 2004, community members engage in a mapping exercise to gauge their preparedness for potential disasters. Photo: Courtesy of FOCUS

Thousands of families living in Tajikistan experience earthquakes and other hazards throughout the year that impact their lives and livelihoods. Focus Humanitarian Assistance strives to reduce the impact of natural disasters through community-based initiatives.

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Central Asia visit diary

The AKDN Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, Nurjehan Mawani, bids farewell to Mawlana Hazar Imam at Manas International Airport. Photo: Gary Otte

During a ten-day visit to Central Asia, Mawlana Hazar Imam visited Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, where he met with senior government and institutional leaders, and assessed the development of the University of Central Asia as well as other AKDN and Imamat projects. In Tajikistan, Hazar Imam granted Golden Jubilee Darbars at Ishkashim and Porshinev, and layed the foundation for the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Khorog.

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Speech at the Foundation Ceremony of The Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Khorog

Describing a vision for Khorog as “the Jewel of the Pamir,” Mawlana Hazar Imam delivers his address at the foundation laying ceremony for the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Khorog. Photo: Gary Otte

Speech by Mawlana Hazar Imam at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of The Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Khorog on Monday, 3 November 2008

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Jamat prepares for Mawlana Hazar Imam’s arrival in Tajikistan

A commemorative Golden Jubilee banner decorates Rudaki Avenue, the main street of Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital. Photo: Moez Visram

The Jamat of Tajikistan is eagerly awaiting the commencement of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit with anticipation and excitement. From sprucing up the streets to holding celebratory community gatherings, members of the Jamat are preparing for the country’s first Darbars in ten years.

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Revival of traditional dress in Badakhshan mirrors shifting landscape of cultural influence

Once relegated to folklore and theatre, traditional Pamiri clothing styles are making a comback. Photo: Courtesy of Rukhshona Nazhmidinova

The evolution in choice of dress among the Ismailis of Gorno-Badakhshan in Tajikistan is reflective of wider changes and influences that have affected that society over the past decades. The recent re-emergence of Pamiri dress speaks to a rediscovery of local heritage.

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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: Tajikistan Jamat’s volleyball team has a storied past

Tajikistan

The Ismaili women’s volleyball team from Tajikistan is composed of members of the the Badakhshan regional team, recent winners of Tajikistan's 2008 National Volleyball championship. Players describe the history of their team and their aspirations for the Golden Jubilee Games in Nairobi.

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Jamat in Badakhshan celebrates Navroz with an historic cross-border concert

Members of the Badakhshan Ensemble performed traditional Pamiri music and dance for the Afghan audience in the spirit of mutual understanding and learning. Photo: Malik Faizullah

In a symbolic expression of their long historic ties and common roots, thousands of Jamati members from the Tajik and Afghan sides of Badakhshan came together for a cross-border concert to celebrate Navroz.

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Dushanbe marks Navroz with art exhibition and performances

A family illustrates a traditional Tajik Navroz meal according to the “haft-shin” and “haft-sin” traditions. Photo: Mikhail Romanyuk

A Navroz reception in Dushanbe, Tajikistan drew more than 600 attendees and featured an exhibition of children’s artwork on the theme of Navroz, as well as a performance by 2006 Grammy nominee, the Academy of Maqâm.

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AKDN hosts exhibition in Tajikistan

Nafisa Gulshaeva, a staff member of the AKF-supported Institute of Professional Development in Dushanbe, discusses teaching resources with visitors. Photo: AKDN/Michael Romanyuk

Over 5 000 people viewed informative exhibits, listened to traditional Tajik music, and examined locally-developed products as part of a two-day exhibition on the work of the Aga Khan Development Network in Tajikistan.

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Spiritual Sounds of Central Asia

Ulzhan Baibussynova and Ardak Issataeva play the dombra and sing traditional Kazakh songs. Photo: Aftab Chagani

A profile of the AKMICA sponsored concert tour in the USA which featured three musical traditions from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Each tradition displayed a common thread that linked the cultures with music that has been used to express social identity and preserve spiritual beliefs.

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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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