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: Pyanj River Valley

Civic participation and institutional expertise assist villages in Tajikistan to prepare for natural disaster

In the Ghund Valley of Shugnan district in 2004, community members engage in a mapping exercise to gauge their preparedness for potential disasters. Photo: Courtesy of FOCUS

Thousands of families living in Tajikistan experience earthquakes and other hazards throughout the year that impact their lives and livelihoods. Focus Humanitarian Assistance strives to reduce the impact of natural disasters through community-based initiatives.

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.

Once relegated to folklore and theatre, traditional Pamiri clothing styles are making a comback. Photo: Courtesy of Rukhshona Nazhmidinova

The evolution in choice of dress among the Ismailis of Gorno-Badakhshan in Tajikistan is reflective of wider changes and influences that have affected that society over the past decades. The recent re-emergence of Pamiri dress speaks to a rediscovery of local heritage.

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.

Nafisa Gulshaeva, a staff member of the AKF-supported Institute of Professional Development in Dushanbe, discusses teaching resources with visitors. Photo: AKDN/Michael Romanyuk

Over 5 000 people viewed informative exhibits, listened to traditional Tajik music, and examined locally-developed products as part of a two-day exhibition on the work of the Aga Khan Development Network in Tajikistan.

Ulzhan Baibussynova and Ardak Issataeva play the dombra and sing traditional Kazakh songs. Photo: Aftab Chagani

A profile of the AKMICA sponsored concert tour in the USA which featured three musical traditions from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Each tradition displayed a common thread that linked the cultures with music that has been used to express social identity and preserve spiritual beliefs.

Golden Jubilee
Archive

Fifty years after he became the Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, the global Jamat commemorated Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee with special events and activities around the world that took place between 11 July 2007 – 13 December 2008.

The Institute of
Ismaili Studies

Nutrition
Centre

Featuring a library of traditional recipes annotated with nutritional information and healthy eating tips, as well as articles on how you can make your meals healthier.

Aga Khan
Development Network

Fastest Growing City in Africa Gets 103-hectare Urban Park

» University of Central Asias Kyrgyz Campus Completes Critical New Infrastructure

» Update on FOCUS and AKDN response to Pakistan Floods

Ismaili Centres
Around the World

The Ismaili Centres are symbolic markers of the permanent presence of the Ismaili community in the regions in which they are established.
Architecturally unique, each building is a safeguard and a symbol of the core values of the Ismaili Muslim community.

Introduction

Articles related to: Pyanj River Valley

Civic participation and institutional expertise assist villages in Tajikistan to prepare for natural disaster

Central Asia visit diary

Revival of traditional dress in Badakhshan mirrors shifting landscape of cultural influence

Jamat in Badakhshan celebrates Navroz with an historic cross-border concert

AKDN hosts exhibition in Tajikistan

Spiritual Sounds of Central Asia

Sharing options

Golden Jubilee
Archive

The Institute of
Ismaili Studies

Nutrition
Centre

Aga Khan
Development Network

Ismaili Centres
Around the World