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: Alberta

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi on community building and the pursuit of passions

Mayor Naheed Nenshi rides the new Route 100 bus that connects downtown Calgary directly to the airport.
. Photo: Courtesy of Mayor Nenshi and Team

In 2010, 38-year-old Naheed Nenshi made history when he became the first Muslim mayor of the City of Calgary in Canada. In a recent interview, Mayor Nenshi shared his thoughts on pluralism in civil society, community-building and his vision for women, young people, and the Ismaili community.

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Ismaili Muslim elected mayor of the third-largest city in Canada

Following a tight three-way race, CTV News declares Nenshi elected as Mayor of the City of Calgary. Photo: Courtesy of Naheed Nenshi

Calgary, 18 October 2010 — The city of Calgary, Alberta was overcome by a “purple revolution” on Monday as Calgarians elected Naheed Nenshi their new mayor. The Harvard-educated professor and former McKinsey consultant is the first Muslim to be elected mayor of a major city in Canada.

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Ismailis across North America commemorate Eid al-Adha in a spirit of harmony and shared understanding

Leaders from British Columbia’s Muslim communities, including Ismaili Council President Samira Alibhai, gather at Vancouver City Hall with Mayor Gregor Robertson to commemorate Eid al-Adha. Photo: Sultan Bhalo

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.

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Documentary film highlights relationship with the Calgary Stampede based on shared values

 Photo: Courtesy of OMNI TV and White Iron Pictures Inc.

East Meets Western, a new television documentary about the Ismaili community and the Calgary Stampede, describes two seemingly disparate cultures that have built a successful relationship based on shared values. The film showcases the volunteerism, creativity and organisational skills of the Jamat, and highlights the historical role that the Stampede has played in promoting cultural pluralism in Calgary.

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University’s international ambitions resonate with students

Mawlana Hazar Imam at the University of Alberta Convocation ceremony where he was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Photo: Moez Visram

That students at the University of Alberta are inspired to make an international impact through their activities is no coincidence. Their school is engaged in an array of international collaborations around the world, a fact remarked upon by Mawlana Hazar Imam in his convocation address.

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Spirit of the West is alive and thriving in the Alberta Jamat

Calgary’s Ismaili Muslim community was honoured to win the 2006 Best Overall and Most Creative prize for their float, which partnered with the Calgary Meals on Wheels agency. Photo: Amir Jessani

Anyone who has visited the Canadian province of Alberta will have been touched by the Spirit of the West. In the best tradition of that spirit, the Jamat in Alberta has worked to make the province and the country a better place for all.

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A symphony of the soul

Shabnam Merali performs before a live audience. Photo: Courtesy of Shabnam Merali

Sufi-inspired music is a rich and powerful medium through which Muslims have searched for spiritual inspiration for hundreds of years. Three Ismaili musicians discuss their pursuit of spiritual music and describe the benefits they have derived from it.

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Building a better society through CIVIC participation

Edmonton youth pose outside one of the sheds they built in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Photo: Firozali Musani

CIVIC, an initiative to engage Jamati youth, appealed to the social conscience of young Ismailis by inviting them to give back to their local communities through voluntary service. More than 1 100 participants contributed over 4 400 hours of service to projects that benefited communities across Canada.

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Canadian Jamat jubilant over visit

A group of Ismailis in Vancouver hold a banner welcoming Mawlana Hazar Imam to the city on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee visit to Canada. Photo: Asif Bhalesha

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.

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Canada visit diary

Mawlana Hazar Imam waves as he prepares to depart Canada, completing his Golden Jubilee visit to the country. Photo: Gary Otte

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.

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Giving the gift of sight through service

 Photo: Bonnie J.

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.

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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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Inspired to give in service to others

Ruhee Ismail Teja. Photo: Mohamed Teja

Last year at the age of 14, Ruhee Ismail-Teja became the youngest winner of the YMCA Volunteer of the Year Award in Calgary. She has discovered how to balance her passion for volunteering with life’s other responsibilities.

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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.

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Learning, interacting and reflecting during Milad-un-Nabi

Professor Nyang, and Iqbal Lakhani, President of the Ismaili Council for Florida with guests at the Milad-un-Nabi in Tampa. Photo: Ismaili Council for USA

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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