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: Music

Ismaili Community Ensemble celebrates Eid in the Square

Huge crowds packed Trafalgar Square for Eid celebrations in London. Photo: Kois Miah

In celebration of Eid ul-Fitr, the Mayor of London organised a live entertainment programme in Trafalgar Square this year. The Ismaili Community Ensemble was invited to take part in the event, which attracted thousands, and marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

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Scoring the sounds of Bollywood

Brothers Salim and Sulaiman Merchant are award-winning composers of songs and background music for high-profile Bollywood films. Photo: Courtesy of Salim and Sulaiman Merchant

Salim and Sulaiman Merchant started their career composing “jingles” — short pieces for television advertisements. But a big break in 1997 led them to build a solid career in Bollywood, where they regularly compose songs and background music for high-profile films.

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Golden Jubilee marks the formation of the Canadian Jamat’s national youth choir

The Canadian Ismaili Muslim Youth Choir pose for a photograph following their Ottawa performance in August 2008. Photo: Almin Surani

The Canadian Ismaili Muslim Youth Choir was formed in September 2007, in commemoration of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee. Through the exploration of different genres of music, the choir seeks to express the Canadian Ismaili experience.

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Kronos Quartet and Qasimov Ensemble come together at London’s Barbican Hall

 Photo: Courtesy of AKDN

In commemoration of the precious nights of Ramadan and the advent of Eid ul-Fitr, mystical harmonies from Central Asia and classical melodies of the Occident were performed before a distinguished audience at London’s prestigious Barbican Hall.

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The way we celebrate

Children ready to play dandia at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver. Photo: Aziz Ladha

In the days leading up to Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee visit to Canada, the diversity of the Jamat’s cultural roots will come alive in celebration. Events have been planned across the country under the theme One Jamat, One Heart.

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Orchestra in Dubai expresses the harmony of the international Jamat through a unique musical compilation

 Copyright: Ismaili Council for UAE

Members of a Jamati orchestra in Dubai have produced a two-disc musical compilation in celebration of the Golden Jubilee. Frontierless Brotherhood — A Fusion of Diversity reflects the cultures and heritage of Ismailis from around the world.

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Congolese Jamat hosts a dinner in celebration of the Golden Jubilee

Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States, Sam Brock, in discussion with External Activities Task Force member, Nimet Janmohamed. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Kinshasa

As part of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Ismaili community in the Democratic Republic of Congo hosted a commemorative dinner in Kinshasa. The dinner was attended by Jamati leaders, key policy makers and government officials, and provided a forum to exhibit the work of the Ismaili Imamat in the country.

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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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Ensemble joins with Royal Philharmonic to deliver captivating performances

Members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform with the Ismaili Community Ensemble. Photo: Ismaili Council for the UK

In March, the Ismaili Community Ensemble, together with musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, dazzled audiences with rousing performances in celebration of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee at the Ismaili Centre in London.

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Ismaili Centre London participates in Fete de la Musique

School children learn to play the daf, an Iranian percussion instrument. Photo: Ismaili Council for the United Kingdom

The Social Hall at The Ismaili Centre in London, was filled with people of all ages eager to hear the spectacular fusion of sounds from an incredible mix of western and eastern instruments on 21 June 2007, as part of the Exhibition Road Music Day festivities.

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