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: Art

Snapshots of our identity on a coffee table

Titled “HERStory”, this photograph of a woman in Badakshan, Tajikistan by Zahid Wissanji won the grand prize in the photography competition leading up to the publication of “Ismailis, A Celebration of Diversity”. Photo: ISMGlobalPhotos.com / Zahid Wissanji

The photography book Ismailis, A Celebration of Diversity portrays the rich plurality of the global Ismaili community and the sentiments expressed by talented photographers through their visually stirring images. It is the result of one photographer’s love of art and the community.

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Interview with Jaume Plensa, creator of Tolerance statues in Houston

Jaume Plensa at the Tolerance dedication ceremony held at Harmony Walk, with one of the sculptures visible in the background. Photo: Zahid Alibhai

In February 2011, an installation of seven statues titled Tolerance was unveiled at Harmony Walk in Houston, near the site of the planned Ismaili Center, Houston. Sculptor Jaume Plensa describes his vision, inspiration and technique in creating this work of art.

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Mawlana Hazar Imam partners with the City of Houston in commissioning a landmark sculpture celebrating tolerance

A view of the Tolerance sculptures along Allen Parkway at night time. Photo: Zahid Alibhai

In February 2011, a group of seven 10-foot high installations called Tolerance was unveiled at Harmony Walk in Houston near the site of the planned Ismaili Center, Houston. The statues were created by Spanish artist, Jaume Plensa and funded by City of Houston together with Mawlana Hazar Imam and a few private donors.

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Muslim art and cultural expression opens doors to interfaith dialogue in Houston

Following a presentation at the Houston Principle Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center, audience members listen to a tour guide explain Islamic and Western architectural concepts represented by the Center,. Photo: Imran Jafar

In May and June, the Houston Ismaili community collaborated with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston to organise educational events that explored and celebrated artistic traditions of the Muslim world. It was part of an ongoing outreach effort that has given way to greater dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims about their respective faiths and cultural heritage.

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Ismaili artists draw inspiration from their Muslim faith and culture

The four artists describe intricate ties between their art and their Ismaili Muslim faith. Sometimes the Islamic themes are explicitly depicted; elsewhere the influence is more subtle. Painting: S. Ali, M. Somani, M. Rajabali, Z. Khawaja

Several North American-based Ismaili artists talk about what draws them to create art. They also discuss how Islamic themes and symbols influence their work, and how they use art to give expression to their personal faith interpretations while exploring cultural heritage and celebrating identity.

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Aga Khan Museum Collection reflects pluralism of the Muslim world and shared human heritage

This Qur’an bifolium is written in gold kufic script on blue parchment. Created by the Fatimids during their rule in Kairouan, it is considered to be one of the most lavish Qur’anic scripts ever created. Photo: Courtesy of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture

The Aga Khan Museum Collection, which has been travelling across Europe since 2007, will ultimately find its permanent home in a new museum being established in Toronto. Reflecting the diversity and pluralism that characterises the Muslim world, the artwork and objects that comprise the Collection are helping to foster a greater appreciation of our collective human heritage and shared history.

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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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Outstanding patrons, beautiful objects: Metaphors for humanism and enlightenment

Alnoor Merchant addresses the audience at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for the USA

Alnoor Merchant from the IIS recently conducted a four-city lecture series on Muslim artistic, scientific, and architectural patronage. Captivating the audience with historic artefacts from the Aga Khan Museum collection, Merchant described the important role played by patrons in the history of Islamic art.

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Exhibition by UAE Royal Photographer inaugurated at the Ismaili Centre Dubai

His Highness Sheikh Majid and Noor Ali Rashid  pause at a photograph of the late Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Photo: Farhad R Ally / Akbar Hakim

Reminiscing Heritage, an exhibition of photographs taken by acclaimed Royal Photographer of the United Arab Emirates, Noor Ali Rashid, is being hosted at the Ismaili Centre Dubai. The exhibition was recently inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

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Expressions of Love and Devotion: A Golden Jubilee project

Depicting the word “Allah”, this piece was carved from five different types of wood by Minaz Nasser. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for the USA

In celebrating 50 years of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Imamat, many Ismailis sought to express their feelings creatively. A Golden Jubilee programme in the United States received thousands of entries, including works of prose, poetry and visual art.

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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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First Imamat Day at the Ismaili Centre Dubai is marked with a celebration of expression

A view of the entrance to Souq-al-Izhaar (Market of Expressions). Photo: Prime Vision

Starting with an inaugural flag-raising ceremony at the Ismaili Centre, Imamat Day in the UAE was celebrated with enthusiatic creativity. The Souq al-Izhar exhibition invited members of the Jamat to express themselves artistically on a variety of themes.

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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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Aga Khan Museum Collection tours Europe

Spirit & Life: Masterpieces of Islamic Art from the Aga Khan Museum Collection. Cover of exhibition catalogue print version published by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). Photo: Courtesy of AKTC

Currently touring Europe, rare masterpieces of Islamic art, from the Aga Khan Museum Collection are contributing to a wider understanding of Islam's rich artistic and cultural history. The Aga Khan Museum Collection has been appreciated by not only the Jamat but also members of the general public.

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