Articles related to: British Columbia
Karen Armstrong speaks at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby during her 12 Days of Compassion tour

Prominent religious historian and well-known author, Karen Armstrong, was the keynote speaker at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby on 25 March 2012, where she delivered a lecture on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) and the relevance of his life to our present time. The visit was part of Armstrong’s “12 Days of Compassion” tour of Greater Vancouver.
Universities have a role in encouraging pluralist encounters says UBC President at inaugural Ismaili Centre Lecture

Speaking at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby, Professor Stephen J. Toope, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia said that creating an environment that fosters “global citizens” is crucial to seeing pluralism in action. His address marked the inauguration of The Ismaili Centre Lectures, a series of intellectually stimulating speaker-based events held at the Centre.
Shaping the world around them through grassroots service

Described as grassroots because they are led by concerned citizens rather than governments or established institutions, such community action initiatives can be a powerful means in addressing difficult issues. Some Ismailis are successfully using grassroots action to magnify the impact of their volunteer work.
Homayun Sakhi, Salar Nader and Abbos Kosimov perform at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

Masters of the Afghan rubab, the tabla and the dayra gathered at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby on 4 November, where they conjured the rich musical legacies of Central Asia. The event, which took place in collaboration with the Aga Khan Music Initiative, was prefaced with an address by the British Columbia Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
For students in IIS Graduate Programme, the whole world is a field for study

This past summer, students of The Institute of Ismaili Studies’ Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities (GPISH) travelled to seven different locations across the globe as part of their field research projects. Zuleikha Haji and Sehr Tejpar share accounts from two sides of the globe.
The Governor General of Canada addresses the Canadian Club of Vancouver at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston attended a luncheon with the Canadian Club of Vancouver on Wednesday, hosted at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby. They were joined by members of the diplomatic corps, civil society leaders, public servants, and professionals from diverse fields of social, economic and cultural activity, as well as leaders of the Ismaili community.
Lieutenant Governor of BC presents Duke of Edinburgh awards at Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

As part of its year-long commemoration of the 25th Anniversary, the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby hosted a Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award ceremony on 4 June with the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. It was the first time a Silver Award ceremony has been held outside of Government House in Victoria.
As construction continues along Wynford Drive, BC Premier visits exhibition at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

Twelve months after Mawlana Hazar Imam presided over the Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, the Aga Khan Museum and their Park, the buildings along Wynford Drive are taking shape. As construction progresses, a cross-country exhibition about the projects stops at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby where the BC Premier is among the visitors.
Celebrating new and old traditions: An Afghan Ismaili’s nostalgia for Navroz

Celebrated on 21 March each year, Navroz is an occasion of special significance to millions around the world. Having migrated to Canada from Afghanistan, 35-year-old Ahmad Wali fondly reminisces over the rich traditions and memories of Navroz that he harbours from his childhood.
Lighting a nation, one village at a time

Using mini solar-powered electric grids, Naeem Mawji — a determined Canadian Ismaili student and entrepreneur — has provided the villagers of Masurura, Tanzania access to both electricity and hope. Now he aims to transform the country’s economy by increasing access to electricity for other villages in the region.
Twenty-five years later, architect recalls the development of the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

Bruno Freschi remembers the exact moment when he received the call that set him on course to design the first Ismaili Centre in North America, situated in Burnaby, a leafy suburb of Vancouver. Speaking with Nasreen Gulamhusein, he talks about the development of this iconic structure, the encouragement that he received from Mawlana Hazar Imam, and shares his reflections on the building 25 years later.
Reflecting on 25 years of the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

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

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.
Ismaili volunteers stand front and centre as Olympics get underway in Vancouver

As the 2010 Winter Olympic Games got underway in Vancouver, hundreds of Ismaili volunteers officially became ambassadors to the world. Donning green-coloured jackets, these Olympic Ambassadors have been welcoming tourists and athletes, providing information and directions, and managing queues and crowds in Vancouver City Centre.
Olympic Torch Bearers from the Ismaili community carry the flame in Vancouver

When the Olympic Cauldron was lit at BC Place Stadium, the fire that set it alight came by way of 25 members of the Ismaili community. Like thousands of their fellow Canadians, they were chosen to carry the flame as it made its way across Canada in the months leading up to the Games.
Ismailis across North America commemorate Eid al-Adha in a spirit of harmony and shared understanding

North American Ismailis celebrated Eid al-Adha by building bridges of understanding among the communities in which they live. In turn, they learnt more about the beliefs and celebrations of their neighbours.
Patron of the Olympic Truce, the Governor General of Canada speaks with young British Columbians at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

As part of Canada’s expression of the Olympic Truce, Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada led a Truce Dialogue in the run-up to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The Dialogue, which took place at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby, aimed at engaging youth on the topic of peace-building through sport and culture.
Canadian Jamat jubilant over visit

For the Canadian Jamat, a year-and-a-half of anticipation, planning and hard work culminated in Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee visit to the country in November 2008. Some 20 000 volunteers ensured that the experience was a happy and memorable one.
Canada visit diary

During his Canadian visit, Mawlana Hazar Imam met with the Governor-General of Canada, as well as senior government and Jamati leaders, and granted four Golden Jubilee Darbars across the country. Hazar Imam was joined by the Prime Minister for the opening of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa.
Giving the gift of sight through service

Service is a cornerstone of the social conscience that Islam espouses. Alqaim Giga and Sehar Lalani have applied their passion for service to the improvement of eyesight and eye health among peoples living in different parts of the world.
Road to the Games: From Vancouver to Nairobi (part three)

Forced to the sidelines by an ill-timed injury, Aalia Chatur cheered-on her British Columbia Women's Basketball team at the Canadian Ismaili Games in May 2008. In her final instalment on the Canadian journey to the Golden Jubilee Games, she wraps-up with her reflections.
Road to the Games: From Vancouver to Nairobi (part two)

Avid Ismaili athlete, Aalia Chatur, participated in the Canadian Ismaili Games in May 2008. In this second of three instalments, she continues her chronicle of the Canadian journey to the Golden Jubilee Games.
Road to the Games: From Vancouver to Nairobi (part one)

Aalia Chatur participated in the Canadian Ismaili Games in May 2008. She chronicles the Canadian journey to the Golden Jubilee Games in three instalments, the first of which is presented here.
Spark of Knowledge Symposium

Firoz Rasul, President of Aga Khan University and Azim Nanji, Director of the Institute of Ismaili Studies discussed how knowledge could be advanced in the context of the 21st century at symposiums held in two Canadian cities, Toronto and Vancouver with video links to Edmonton, Calgary and Montreal.
Learning, interacting and reflecting during Milad-un-Nabi

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) was born in the city of Mecca over 14 centuries ago. As the agency for Allah’s final revelation to mankind, he was the manifestation of the teachings of the Qur’an and an exemplar of unparalleled generosity, and piety. The Ismaili Councils for the USA and Canada commemorated Milad-un-Nabi (the birth of Prophet Muhammad) in cities across North America by remembering the Prophet of Islam and his contributions, and bringing together Muslims and those of other religious traditions to reflect upon our common heritage and the principles, ethics and values that bind us together.

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