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: Afghanistan

Jamat in Kabul comes together around week-long celebration of volunteerism

Volunteers line up to welcome Jamati and institutional leaders at Umomi Jamatkhana at the conclusion of Volunteer Week in Afghanistan. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Afghanistan

Earlier this year, the Afghan Jamat observed a week-long celebration of volunteerism, a tradition that has long been central to Ismaili culture. Volunteer Week was an opportunity to showcase the impact that volunteers have on the Jamat’s wellbeing, and increase the unity and collaboration among them, as well as within the wider Jamat.

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In Lisbon, Kabul and around the world, Ismailis gather for International Women’s Day

At the Kabul International Women’s Day event organised by the Ismaili Council for Afghanistan, an audience member asks a question, as a young girl looks on. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Afghanistan

International Women’s Day is celebrated by individuals, organisations and governments every year. This year a special recognition event was held for women at the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon, while the Ismaili Council for Afghanistan hosted an event in Kabul that drew some 900 participants.

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Afghan Jamat hosts a successful event commemorating Prophet Muhammad’s birthday

Young members of the Jamat recite devotional poetry in the form of a <em>qasida</em> as part of the commemoration of <em>Mowlud-e-Sharif</em> in Kabul. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Afghanistan

Some 800 people gathered at Uranus Hall in Kabul to commemorate Mowlud-e-Sharif, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). The event, which was hosted by the Ismaili Council for Afghanistan, was attended by poets, scholars, Members of Parliament, government officials and representatives of other communities in Afghanistan.

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A beacon of hope from the summit of Afghanistan’s highest mountain

The Four Tigers of Wakhan survey their path to the summit of Noshak. Photo: Louis Mernier

Four young Afghan Ismaili mountaineers from Wakhan wanted to offer a message of peace and hope to their countrymen. Together with a team of Frenchmen, they set out to climb Noshaq — the country’s highest mountain.

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My year of living livelihoods

Fifteen trainers from Egypt and Syria learnt how to conduct high impact training in Damascus. Photo: Courtesy of Shaheen Tejani

During the course of the Golden Jubilee, many murids around the world pledged a nazrana of Time and Knowledge to Mawlana Hazar Imam. Shaheen Tejani reflects on the completion of her recent TKN engagement with the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance.

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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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First purpose-built Jamatkhana opens in the Ishkashim region of Afghan Badhakhshan

Ishkashim Jamatkhana in Afghanistan, with the mountains of Tajikistan visible in the background. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Afghanistan

The Jamat of Afghanistan celebrated the opening of the first purpose-built Jamatkhana in the Ishkashim district of Badakhshan. Hundreds gathered for the official opening, which was attended by a number of distinguished guests including the Governor of Badakhshan Province and the President of the Provincial Assembly.

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Road to the Games: Afghan Jamat holds first tournament at the Kabul Olympic Stadium

Members of one of Afghanistan’s Ismaili football teams are applauded during the inauguration ceremonies. Photo: Courtesy the Ismaili Council for Afghanistan

Selections for the Golden Jubilee Games in Afghanistan began in the Autumn of 2007. Qualification rounds in various sports took place in the provinces of Badakhshan, Baghlan, Bamyan and Kabul, and an excited national Jamati team is now preparing to join their brothers and sisters in Nairobi, Kenya.

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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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Rumi — 800th anniversary

Portrait of Rumi. Photo: Haydan Hatemi

Tell me, is sugar sweeter Or He who makes sugar cane? Is the Beauty of the moon better Or He who makes it wax and wane? Source: Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi, translated by Shahriar Shahriari

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