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Shanif

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Apr 8, 2009, 6:14:56 AM4/8/09
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Ismaili Mail

Quiz on Islamic Art

Posted: 07 Apr 2009 07:00 PM PDT


islamic-art-quiz
Victoria and Albert Museum has a fine collection of Islamic Art. They also have an on-line quiz on the subject.

Play the quiz.  You may report your score here!

http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1342_islamic_middle_east/quiz.php

New book by Vali I V Jamal on Ugandan Asians (forthcoming August 2009)

Posted: 07 Apr 2009 08:19 AM PDT


The full title is
Ugandan Asians: Then and Now, Here and There, We Contributed, We Contribute
Being a collaborative effort to thank President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for welcoming us back to Uganda and for his untiring efforts to grow the economy
To Pierre Elliott Trudeau for giving us shelter
And to Edward Heath for honouring an historic pledge.
We Contributed, We Contribute

jamal-1

In author’s own words:

It’s like the “autobiography” of our expulsion from Uganda, in 1972, of our life until then and our life in the two major diaspora countries. The expulsion was our WWYW (where were you when) moment, our place in history. We do get a mention in most history books but just a paragraph. I think we deserve more – like this 400 pages/200,000 words book.

It uncovers lots of new facts. Around 80 people never left Uganda for even a day, braving daily phone-in threats of rustication to Karamoja (one got to replying “do it mara moja,” Swahili for straightaway). They were witnesses to mass car auctions where the abandoned cars were sold off to the highest bidder and prices never went beyond three-figures US dollars. They watched the chaotic process of distributing the shops (their own even!). Almost with the fall of Amin, people started trickling in to “look up how things were.” On the diaspora side care is taken to acknowledge the early migrants to Canada and the 100 or so people in the UK in 1957 that the Aga Khan spoke about at his Golden Jubilee banquet in London. Some of their stories are there even. The 3Gs write about their ancestors and their own childhood in the 1940s and 1950s, when almost three-quarters of the Asian population lived within a mile-circle of the Museum Hill. The Canadian refugee mission of 1972 is summarised, based on the diary of the chief of the mission, including how the office was furnished in a record five days. Almost a first are also accounts of the British and Israeli role in Amin’s coup and the often-outrageous telegrams he wrote to world leaders. Towards the end is a light-hearted “socio-economic history” of East African Asians on how our cooking and dressing up changed. There’s a movie going on My Big Fat Desi Wedding, so it’s an entertaining book - otherwise why bother? Long, 400 pages, meant to be read slowly. Those 50 and above will shed a few tears at places. The younger generation will learn why their grampa keeps talking about “Wobulenzi” in every sentence. They will learn how in Gujarati almost all the numbers are distinct upto 100. They may even learn not to mispronounce the various Ns that we substitute for four different Gujarati consonants.

It should be out in “six months time” – about September, Inshallah. I should hasten to add that it’s pan-Asian, covering all the Asian communities in Uganda. It even has a background on the paan!

Vali Jamal was the Senior Economist for the UN-International Labour Organization from 1976 to 2001. He is an original Ugandan Asian. He has a BA from Cambridge University and a PhD from Stanford. He contributes often in the Uganda media. He is currently based at Kampala, Uganda, and can be reached at vali....@yahoo.com for possible inputs into his book.

Good Kid: Alnawaz Devani of Trinity High School

Posted: 07 Apr 2009 08:17 AM PDT


The two people I’d most like to meet are: His Highness the Aga Khan IV and Gov. Rick Perry

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent

Weekly Headlines - April 5, 2009

Posted: 07 Apr 2009 08:16 AM PDT


Events

Ismaili Muslims in the news

Institutional/Community News and updates

Miscellaneous

All previously archived sumaries are available here.

Shanif

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Apr 9, 2009, 6:10:57 AM4/9/09
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Bruno Freschi, Architect of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Burnaby, in Conversation with Simerg

Posted: 08 Apr 2009 09:58 AM PDT


From Simerg.com

Mr. Freschi with His Highness the Aga Khan and the Honourable Henry Bell-Irving, Lieutenant-Governor General of British Columbia

Mr. Freschi with H.H the Aga Khan and Henry Bell-Irving, Lieutenant-Governor General of British Columbia

In this conversation, often interspersed with candid remarks and interesting personal recollections, Mr. Freschi talks about: the iconic Ismaili Centre and Jamatkhana in Burnaby which he designed; the constant engagement and interest that the 49th Imam of the Shia Imami Ismailis, His Highness the Aga Khan, showed throughout the design and construction processes of this Jamatkhana; the Imam’s role, patronage and worldwide influence in the field of architecture; and the care and pride with which the Ismaili community has preserved and maintained the dignity of the Burnaby Jamatkhana since its opening in 1985. Mr. Freschi also describes the Expo 86 project that he worked on simultaneously while finishing the Ismaili Centre. Though both projects were a success, the code words that were used for the two projects were “Sanity” and “Insanity”. He also offers some words of wisdom to students who may wish to pursue the field that he has been so passionately in love with for several decades. Please read the full interview below. The interview includes several photographs and images from Mr. Freschi’s personal archives and we are indebted to him for giving them to us for publication.

Interview at the source with photographs.

Exhibition: 120 Years of Spanish Excavation in Egypt

Posted: 08 Apr 2009 08:18 AM PDT


MADRID - The exhibition ‘120 Years of Spanish Archaeology in Egypt’ at the Cairo Museum is celebrating Spanish real-life Indiana Joneses to highlight their contribution to the research on ancient Egyptian history covering over a century of excavations. The inauguration took place Monday in the presence of the Egyptian secretary of antiquities and eminent Egyptologist, Zahi Hawass, along with that of the Spanish Culture Minister, Cesar Antonio Molina, of the Order of Arts and Letters of Spain. The exhibition, until June 6, gathers 137 greatly valued pieces, of which at least one cannot be forgotten: the enormous statue of Khamarernebty, daughter of Keope, which recalls the campaign of excavations, pioneering in their time, carried out by Count Vicente of Galarza in Giza in 1907.

–snip–

The exhibition ‘120 Years of Spanish Excavation in Egypt’, which is being held in 44 rooms in the Cairo Museum, was organised by the institution itself, the Spanish Cultural Ministry, the Cervantes Institute, in collaboration with the Aga Khan Foundation.

via ANSAmed.

Aga Khan University offering study courses in Muslim cultures

Posted: 08 Apr 2009 08:17 AM PDT


Program Details at AKU-ISMC website.

LONDON, April 8 (APP): Aga Khan University in collaboration with its Canadian counterpart is offering a short 12‑day intensive courses on Muslim cultures at its Central London premises from July 20.

Abdou Filali‑Ansary,Director, Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, AKU, said Tuesday the short courses seek to promote a sound understanding of Muslim cultures through an intellectually stimulating and inspiring survey of the histories and cultures of Muslims using the tools of the social sciences and humanities.

The Canadian institute involved in partnership is the Vancouver‑based Simon Fraser University.

The Director further said the Programme has been designed with a good mix of classroom and off‑site activities.

“It is ideal for those seeking a short but comprehensive introduction to multi‑faceted nature of Muslim cultures. Topics such as the context of pre‑Muslim Arabia, the foundational sources of Islam, political developments, the making of the legal thought, the flourishing artistic and scholarly environment, the engagement with modern ideas and institutions and key contemporary issues will be discussed during the Programme.”

According to Ansary, faculty from AKU‑ISMC, SFU, and other academic institutions will be teaching in the Programme that concludes on July 31 with the certificate awarding ceremony.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Shanif

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Apr 10, 2009, 7:41:42 AM4/10/09
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Muslim leader Aga Khan to receive University of Alberta’s honorary degree

Posted: 09 Apr 2009 11:06 AM PDT


His Highness the Aga Khan, Honorary Doctor of Laws, June 9 - via UofA Press
The Aga Khan is the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and the creator of the Aga Khan Development Network, a private international non-denominational development agency working in 30 countries to improve the lives of millions of the world’s poorest people and to build a global culture of tolerance. The Aga Khan is a Knight Commander of the British Empire and an Honorary Companion of the Order of Canada.

By Keith Gerein, Edmontonjournal.com April 9, 2009

EDMONTON — The spiritual leader of the world’s 15 million Ismaili Muslims, and a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights are among 12 leaders set to receive honorary degrees from the University of Alberta.

The special honours will be bestowed June 3 - 11, when the recipients will speak to graduating classes during the U of A’s spring convocation ceremonies.

One of the most anticipated speeches will come from the Aga Khan, the Ismaili leader and founder of an international development agency working to help people living in poverty. The Aga Khan, who was last in Western Canada in November, will speak on June 9.

Source: Calgary Herald

Musician Fez Meghani

Posted: 09 Apr 2009 07:09 AM PDT


fez-meghaniBorn in Karachi, Pakistan, Fez was raised in the UAE and moved to the United States at the age of 17. He wrote his first composition at the age of 15.

When Fez moved to the U.S. in 1993, the pain of separation from his family and friends drove him to write and compose songs dealing with loneliness, pain, and gloom; he wrote over 50 songs in English and Urdu. His parents later moved to the United States.

In 1995, he began to work on his first album titled “Aag,” which took a couple of years to complete. Around this time, he met a phenomenal keyboard player named Shams Sommar of Dallas, TX. They formed a band called “i.t.n.a” (in the name of Allah) and performed exclusively at Jamati events. From 1998 to 2002, they worked on an album titled “City of Light,’ which was released to commemorate Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Houston in 2002.

In 2005, Fez began to work on an album titled “A Golden Sunrise,” to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Imamat. Two songs from this album became very popular among the youth of North America during the festivities: these were “Tu Hi Tu Hai” and “Allahumma Salli Alaa Muhammad-in Wa Aal-e Muhammad.” During the extended Golden Jubilee Year, Fez had the privilege, along with his Associate Producer and co-vocalist Aftab Ali, of performing in many cities in the US and Canada including Orlando, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Toronto, and Calgary. They have also had the honour of performing with noteworthy artists such as Taufiq Karmali, Khursheed Noorali, Shamshu Jamal, and many others.

In 2006, Fez produced an album for Shams Soomar titled “The Evolution of Creation.” This was an instrumental album that traversed a musical landscape covering Creation, revelation to the Prophets, guidance from Imams, and the quest for personal search to get closer to the Creator. The album received rave reviews on music websites such as Amazon.com and CDBaby.com.


Play song: Tu Hi Tu Hai - Dandiya Mix

Fez plays the keyboard and bass guitar but considers himself a better composer, lyricist, and producer. Fez is currently working on a project with Planetunity Records that will include songs in English and Urdu, with a message about the core values of Islam: peace, generosity, and love.

Fez has received tremendous support of his initiatives from his parents, brothers, and his wife Khairunissa.

Fez can be contacted at www.fezmeghani.com, or f...@fezmeghani.com

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Staff Spotlight - Amynah Jiwa « Art Matters

Posted: 09 Apr 2009 07:01 AM PDT


From Art Matters - Art Gallery of Ontario

Along with the commitment of work and family, Amynah has more than enough responsibility to keep her busy. A proud member of the Ismaili Muslim community, she acts as a liaison on the executive committee of the core volunteer group at her mosque. She oversees many of the community’s youth group initiatives, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Program, which commends youth for their hard work in skills and fitness training and dedication to voluntary service. She was also a key player in this year‘s Aga Khan Golden Jubilee celebrations, a succession of events leading to a grand event that catered to more than 60,000 people in Toronto at the Rogers Centre where Amynah was overseeing all of the refreshments for all five days.

“It gives me a sense of purpose,” says Amynah about her commitment to her faith and community. “The more you do, the more you can accomplish. I feel rewarded when I see things come to fruition. She has served as a voluntary with the executive committee for three years but has been an active volunteer since she was 13. She is a role model to many members of the community.

complete at Art Gallery of Ontario - Staff Spotlight - Amynah Jiwa « Art Matters.

Expressions of Diversity: A Contemporary Introduction to Muslim Cultures

Posted: 09 Apr 2009 06:41 AM PDT


expressions-of-diversity (opens in PDF)

Offered by AKU-ISMC and the Centre for the Comparative Study of Muslim Societies and Cultures (CCSMSC) at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, the Summer Programme is ideal for those seeking a comprehensive and interactive contemporary introduction to Muslim cultures. The underlying principle of the Programme is that education about cultures is a necessary precursor to the enhancement of intercultural dialogue.

Details at the source.

MIT team takes part in seminar

Posted: 09 Apr 2009 06:37 AM PDT


akpia-mit-dohaA group of students and scholars from the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) were in Doha on a week-long visit, on an invitation from real estate company Dohaland.

They attended a two-day seminar on the future of architecture in Qatar and visited Qatar Foundation, Souq Waqif, Museum of Islamic Art and other architectural projects.

Aga Khan Programme for Islamic Architecture at MIT and and Dohaland, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation, jointly organised the seminar entitled “Complementary not contrary: From the local to the global in architecture”.

via Gulf Times – Qatar’s top-selling English daily newspaper - Qatar.

Navigating towards a better tomorrow together | theIsmaili.org

Posted: 09 Apr 2009 06:30 AM PDT


With the economic downturn taking its toll across the United States, professionals, businesspersons, and recent graduates focused on upgrading their knowledge and networking skills at this year’s Regional Ismaili Business Conference (RIBC) held in Dallas on 25 January.

via The Ismaili: Navigating towards a better tomorrow together.

Shanif

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Apr 12, 2009, 8:15:42 PM4/12/09
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Aga Khan Planning and Building Services Pakistan’s Project selected for World Energy Globe Award

Posted: 10 Apr 2009 08:11 AM PDT


energy-awardThe Building and Construction Improvement Program (BACIP) – a built environment improvement initiative
by Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan - has been selected as the best project in Pakistan for the
World ENERGY GLOBE Award, 2008. Out of a total of 800 entries from 111 countries, BACIP has won the
award for Pakistan.

This Award is reputed to be a very important environmental award in the world. It has two categories of
winners - international winners in five categories and national winner (one from each country participating).
The award ceremony is expected to be held in Prague this year where political VIPs from around the world
will meet at the gala event in the realm of the Czech EU presidency

Pakistan:
Applicant: Aga Khan Planning and Building Services, Pakistan
Project title: Building and Construction Improvement Program
National Award

More information, PDF - http://www.energyglobe.com

Press Release: Agreements Reduce Natural Disaster Risk in Tajikistan

Posted: 10 Apr 2009 08:10 AM PDT


Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 9 April 2009 - Every year communities in the mountainous regions of Tajikistan are subject to natural hazards such as landslides and debris flows. In an effort to reduce the resulting risk run by those communities, the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Tajikistan and Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) signed an agreement to hydro-insulate a water channel in the district of Roshtqala and rehabilitate a debris flow channel in the district of Ishkashim.

via Press Release: Agreements Reduce Natural Disaster Risk in Tajikistan.
Earlier related

Simerg.com featured in Ottawa Citizen

Posted: 10 Apr 2009 08:08 AM PDT


Malik Merchant, an Ottawa IT professional, has launched an ambitious blog called Simerg.com which presents “insights from individuals from around the world.” He recently interviewed Canadian architect Bruno Freschi in Vancouver.

Freschi designed the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Burnaby, B.C. which opened 25 years ago and has been described as having “one of the most splendid contemporary interiors in British Columbia.”

more at Architect Bruno Freschi and the Ismaili Centre in Burnaby - Designing Ottawa - Maria Cook.
Earlier related

Shanif

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Apr 13, 2009, 6:37:17 AM4/13/09
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Photo Gallery of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Burnaby, Canada

Posted: 12 Apr 2009 07:34 AM PDT


sketch-burnaby-jamatkhana

As a follow up to the interview with Architect Bruno Freschi at Simerg.com, photo galleries have just been published to complement the interview. Visit these galleries at:

Voices: Photo Gallery of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Burnaby, Canada
Thumbnail Photo Gallery of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Burnaby

Dr. Amyn Sajoo Addresses Muslim Perspectives on Bioethics

Posted: 12 Apr 2009 07:33 AM PDT


amyn-sajooFrom IIS: Institute of Ismaili Studies

Dr. Amyn B. Sajoo was invited to speak on bioethical choices and Islam at a training session for clinicians, ethicists and counsellors, convened by the London Research Ethics Committees of the British National Health Service (NHS). Dr. Sajoo was among three scholars at the session, the others being Professors Daniel Sokol and Soren Holm, which was held in London on 19 March 2009 at the Royal Society of Medicine’s Chandos House.

The central theme of Dr. Sajoo’s presentation was the role of maslaha or the ‘public interest’ in Muslim ethical reasoning, and how this has shaped particular choices in biomedicine, past and present.

Complete at the source. - Earlier: Interview with Dr Amyn Sajoo

Shanif

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Apr 12, 2009, 8:24:28 PM4/12/09
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Ismaili Mail

Iqbal Kassam wins the title of ‘Top Parliamentary Speaker at the Worlds Individuals’

Posted: 11 Apr 2009 07:56 AM PDT


WPGA Debater at the World Individual Debate & Speech Championships

By Ms. T. Lee, Debate Coach

iqbal1Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning, England hosted some of the finest high school debaters from March 28th-April 3rd at the World Individual Debate and Public Speaking Championships, (WIDPSC). The ’Worlds’, as it is affectionately known, concentrates on four disciplines: impromptu speaking, prepared speech-making, debate and interpretive reading; anyone who masters all of these may be hailed a true orator.

From its quiet beginnings, the Worlds have grown to include countries from every part of the globe from all countries who have the aspiration to succeed in the English language. This year, the competition welcomed 100 competitors from over 15 countries, including teams from South Africa, Australia, Germany, the USA and Lithuania. Canada sent a team of 12 students and has an enviable reputation of being the “powerhouse” of debate at this competition.

West Point Grey student, Iqbal Kassam (Gr. 11), joined the Canadian team after spending most of his spring break at the Harvard Model Congress in Brussels. In spite of all the chocolates and waffles, he advanced to two finals in impromptu speech and debate. In the Grand Finals of debate, he faced tough competition from the English and South African debaters, but he managed to prevail and took first in debate, earning him the title of Top Parliamentary Speaker at the Worlds Individuals!

Iqbal becomes the third WPGA student in four years to compete at the Worlds, following in the footsteps of alumni Andrew Rusk (’06/’07) and graduating debate captain, Helenaz Hajifattahi (’08).

Source - Earlier related

The Madrasa Early Childhood Programme: 25 Years of Experience

Posted: 11 Apr 2009 07:55 AM PDT


madrasa-book-presentationCoastweek — “Early childhood development has long been a cornerstone of the Aga Khan Development Network’s work in East Africa.

“The Madrasa programme, which we are celebrating today, has been critical in reaching marginalised children and ensuring their retention and success in primary schooling and beyond.”

These remarks were part of the Welcome Address made today at Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam by Alkarim Dawood, Regional Chairman of the Aga Khan Foundation, East Africa, during the launch of a new publication entitled:

The Madrasa Early Childhood Programme: 25 Years of Experience.

The publication is the first in a new series that highlights lessons and best practices that have emerged from the Aga Khan Development Network.

The publication is aimed at sharing knowledge and lessons learned with governments and other development partners in the design, implementation and scaling up of development programmes.

Complete at the source: Coastweek - Print PDF - Earlier related, download publication from AKDN

Shanif

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Apr 14, 2009, 6:43:14 AM4/14/09
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Ismaili Mail

Afghan Exhibit Brings to Texas Recently Rediscovered Gold, Artifacts

Posted: 13 Apr 2009 02:51 PM PDT


Here is a related video report.

afghan-art-exhibitA traveling exhibit of precious art works from Afghanistan is currently at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, where it will remain until May 17. The exhibit, called “Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul,” was organized by the National Geographic Society in cooperation with officials from Afghanistan.

–snip–

One of the recent visitors to the museum in Houston was guest lecturer Ajmal Maiwandi, of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, which is supporting restoration projects in Afghanistan. “I think in a multicultural, multireligious society like Afghanistan,” he says, “culture is what binds people together.”

In his lecture, Maiwandi described the progress that has been made in restoring sites like Baghe Babur in Kabul.

He says preservation of historic sites must be accompanied by social projects to help the people who live nearby. “Living conditions have to be improved in order that the sense of ownership is transferred on to that community,” he asked, “Who will then look after those projects? Down the line, one hopes that this exhibit can make it to Afghanistan and tour some of the cities of Afghanistan, where I think it is very important for people to realize their shared history and understand the depth and scope of the civilization.”

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-04-13-voa32.cfm

New Children’s Museum exhibit looks at global issues | TheRecord.com

Posted: 13 Apr 2009 11:02 AM PDT


A new interactive exhibit at The Children’s Museum of Waterloo Region invites visitors to consider Canada’s leadership role in the global community. Presented by the Aga Khan Development Network, the 6,000 square-foot Bridges That Unite exhibit looks at some of the most pressing questions of the 21st century. Stories compiled over the past 25 years of the network’s work in the most isolated and impoverished regions of the globe are told through images, soundscapes and interactive, multimedia components. The network is a collection of institutions working to improve living conditions and opportunities in specific regions of the developing world. The exhibit, which opens on April 4 and runs to May 3, is presented free of charge. For more information, visit www.TheChildrens Museum.ca or www.bridgesthat unite.ca

http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/519605

Shanif

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Apr 15, 2009, 6:46:22 AM4/15/09
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Join Bilaal Rajan in the 2009 Barefoot Challenge

Posted: 14 Apr 2009 11:55 AM PDT



Message from Bilaal Rajan

barefoot21International Volunteer Week is taking place April 19 – 25, 2009, and to celebrate the occasion, I’ll be spearheading an initiative where I’ll live life without shoes for the entire week. As they say, “You never really know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes,” so I’m taking it a step further: I’m going barefoot!

I am asking fellow students, teachers and the general public to do the same, or as long as they can, to better understand the struggles faced by underprivileged children in the developing world – many of whom cannot afford shoes, let alone attend school or even know where their next meal is coming from.

Children in these countries walk miles in their bare feet every day to fetch water, work on their farm lands, go to school, or perform other chores. For many of them, the first priority is to take care of their families.

barefoot1I am happy to say that people such as Nigel Fisher, president of UNICEF Canada, is on board. Also taking part is ORCA book publishers, award-winning novelist Eric Walters, World Partnership Walk deputy convenor Leigh McMaster-Virani, and most importantly, schools in Ottawa, Calgary and Montreal. The idea is also gaining momentum in countries as far away as Australia, Afghanistan, England, Thailand, Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania. The word on the initiative is travelling fast!

I am also featured in a documentary, Yes We Can!, produced by In Sync video, which is premiering on April 19, 2009 at the Sprockets Film Festival in Toronto, where the campaign is planned to officially kick off.

I’m urging everyone to spend just one hour bare feet any day during International Volunteer Week. Even better, you can spend a half or even a full day bare feet at work, at school or at home. What are you prepared to do to make the world a better place?

Visit http://www.makingchangenow.com/ for more details.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Special Lecture: The Dragon from Cathay: The Evolution of a Shared Motifs in the Post-Mongol Iranian World

Posted: 14 Apr 2009 07:37 AM PDT


Dish Depicting a Dragon amongst Foliage, China, Ming dynasty, Jiajing era, 1522—1566, Carved cinnabar lacquer on wood, Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Patricia Falk, from the Collection of Pauline B. and Myron S. Falk, Jr., 2003.30

Dish Depicting a Dragon amongst Foliage, China, Ming dynasty, Jiajing era, 1522—1566, Carved cinnabar lacquer on wood, Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Patricia Falk, from the Collection of Pauline B. and Myron S. Falk, Jr., 2003.30

Apr 16, 2009 6:30 PM at the Caroline Wiess Law Building

The Dragon from Cathay: The Evolution of a Shared Motifs in the Post-Mongol Iranian World

Presented by Dr. Ladan Akbarnia, Hagop Kevorkian Associate Curator of Islamic Art, Brooklyn Museum, and Consulting Curator, the Aga Khan Museum Collection

The Mongol invasions of Iran and Central Asia in the mid-thirteenth century marked a watershed in the history of Islamic art and architecture. The eastern Islamic world, in particular, witnessed a proliferation of elaborately illustrated and illuminated manuscripts, luxury objects, and monumental architecture displaying intricate architectural decoration. Present in much of this pre-modern visual culture was an unprecedented idiom, khita´i, an apparently Chinese or far eastern-inspired aesthetic revealed in the form of motifs such as lotuses, peonies, scrolling cloud bands, fantastical creatures such as dragons and phoenixes, and emphasized in eastern artistic techniques and materials.

In this richly illustrated lecture, Dr. Ladan Akbarnia focuses on a selection of objects from the Brooklyn Museum and other collections displaying the khita´i idiom, recounting the story of the development and evolution of this phenomenon in the Iranian world.

artshound.com - More about Dr. Ladan Akbarnia -MFAH Calendar

Karim-Aly Kassam - Professor of Environmental and Indigenous Studies

Posted: 14 Apr 2009 07:37 AM PDT


karimimageDr. Karim-Aly Kassam is International Professor of Environmental and Indigenous Studies in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. He is Associate Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and the American Indian Program.

Dr. Kassam is interested in applied research that has immediate impact and is of relevance to communities.

via Cornell University, Department of Natural Resources.

Shanif

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Apr 16, 2009, 6:29:06 AM4/16/09
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His Highness the Aga Khan to speak at 8th Annual GPF Conference in Washington DC

Posted: 15 Apr 2009 01:51 PM PDT


8th Global Philanthropy Forum Conference - April 22-24, 2009 Washington, DC.
gpf-conference
http://www.philanthropyforum.org

Weekly Headlines - April 12, 2009

Posted: 15 Apr 2009 09:03 AM PDT


Ismailimail Exclusive

Ismaili Muslims in the news

Miscellaneous

All previously archived sumaries are available here.

Shanif

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Apr 17, 2009, 6:23:02 AM4/17/09
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University of Alberta to honour Aga Khan

Posted: 16 Apr 2009 11:52 AM PDT


Convocation Ceremony Webcast Link for June 9. You may want to bookmark: http://www.registrar.ualberta.ca/ro.cfm?id=1014

April 16, 2009 - Michael Davies-Venn, Media Associate

university-of-alberta-hh-the-aga-khanEdmonton, Alberta, Canada—His Highness the Aga Khan is among 12 people to be honoured by the University of Alberta for their enduring contributions to society. The Aga Khan will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree on June 9 during convocation ceremonies.

“I have tremendous respect for the Aga Khan’s commitment to rural development, economic self-sufficiency and improved health and education for some of the poorest people in our world. The vision of the University of Alberta is to inspire the human spirit, and I believe each of our 12 honorary degree recipients will be a source of inspiration for our students and our community,” said Linda Hughes, chancellor of the U of A.

The Aga Khan is committed to helping resolve economic and social issues worldwide through the Aga Khan Development Network of which he is founder and chair. One of the world’s largest private non-denominational development groups, the network also promotes cultural affairs and civil society programs. The Aga Khan Development Network has established hospitals, educational facilities and microfinance agencies among other similar groups in 30 countries.

Understood to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, the Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. He was 20 when he became the Imam of the Ismailis in July 1957. Two years later, he graduated with honors from Harvard University with a degree in Islamic history.

Also receiving degrees will be former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour; sustainable development and natural conservation expert James Westvick Thorsell; respiratory physiologist Eliot A. Phillipson; clinical geneticist Michael Hayden; philanthropists Diane and Irving Kipnes; social scientist James G. March; literary scholar Juliet McMaster; Inuit political and environmental spokesperson Sheila Watt-Cloutier; literary scholar Ruby Wiebe and pioneering chemist, biotechnology and life-sciences consultant Yves Fouron.

For more information, contact:
Office of Public Affairs 780.492.2325

Press Release
http://www.ualberta.ca/
http://www.expressnews.ualberta.ca/article.cfm?id=10103

Aga Khan University wins the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship

Posted: 16 Apr 2009 08:29 AM PDT


urban_health_program1The Talloires Network and the MacJannet Foundation are pleased to announce the winners of the first annual MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship. After receiving 67 nominations from 40 universities in 19 countries, the MacJannet Prize Selection Committee has chosen the following programs:

The first place winner, which will receive $5,000, is the Urban Health Program based in Aga Khan University in Pakistan. This innovative and long-standing program run by Aga Khan’s Department of Community Health Sciences provides critical health and socio-economic support to the squatter settlements of Karachi.

Administrators at Aga Khan University founded the program in 1983, when public health efforts received little attention from other Pakistani universities. Since the establishment of the Department of Community Health Sciences, whose mandate was to help develop community-based knowledge and skills among its students, many other medical schools have used the Urban Health Program as a model for their own public health work. Indeed, the program is a model for all sustainable university-based civic engagement programs. The communities involved have been mobilized to form their own management organizations and initiate micro-credit and skill building projects. Many graduates, inspired by their hands-on work through the Urban Health Program, now serve in ministries of health or find other ways to continue their commitment to public health and poverty alleviation. The $5,000 monetary prize will be used to further the program’s inspiring work. Learn more at the Urban Health Program website.

http://www.macjannetprize.org/
http://talloiresnetwork.blogspot.com

Going barefoot to raise awareness about poverty - Bilaal Rajan in Globe and Mail

Posted: 16 Apr 2009 08:29 AM PDT


KATE HAMMER - April 15, 2009

“It’s simply to raise awareness to the fact that really there are so many children in other parts of the world that don’t have something simple like shoes,” Bilaal said in an interview yesterday from his home in Richmond Hill, Ont.

“It’s really about awareness, I realize that money is important and another way we’d be able to help, but how is anyone going to be able to help when they don’t know what they’re supporting, when they don’t know the dire situation that other people are in?”

Article at the source: Globe and Mail - Print PDF

Bilaal Rajan’s Barefoot Project - a Simerg perspective

Posted: 16 Apr 2009 08:28 AM PDT


International Volunteer Week is taking place April 19 – 25, 2009, and to celebrate the occasion, Bilaal is spearheading an initiative where he will live life without shoes for the entire week. As they say, “You never really know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes,” so Bilaal is taking it a step further: He is going barefoot!

He is asking fellow students, teachers and the general public to do the same, or as long as they can, to better understand the struggles faced by underprivileged children in the developing world – many of whom cannot afford shoes, let alone attend school or even know where their next meal is coming from.

Children in these countries walk miles in their bare feet every day to fetch water, work on their farm lands, go to school, or perform other chores. For many of them, the first priority is to take care of their families.

Baltit Fort in Spring

Posted: 16 Apr 2009 08:27 AM PDT


Baltit Fort in Spring

Source: Pamir Times

Pakistani project recognised at EU energy award

Posted: 16 Apr 2009 08:26 AM PDT


KARACHI: Building and Construction Improvement Programme (BACIP), a project of Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), was recognised at the Energy Globe Award ceremony in Prague on Tuesday.

Reduction of domestic energy consumption by 40 per cent, resulting in 60 per cent less emission of green house gases from homes and decreased morbidity of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), pneumonia and other health related disease in women and children by 50 per cent are some of the benefits of the BACIP realised by over 150,000 people in Pakistan.

via Pakistani project wins EU energy award - The News International Pakistan - Earlier related

Introduction of World Partnership Walk and Megan Hamlet by AbeBooks staff

Posted: 16 Apr 2009 08:24 AM PDT


I would like to introduce the World Partnership Walk and a colleague of mine called Megan Hamlet. The World Partnership Walk, run by Aga Khan Foundation Canada, is Canada’s largest annual event dedicated to increasing awareness and raising funds to fight global poverty. It’s also one of the charitable organisations that AbeBooks.com supports. Megan is a 30-year-old customer support representative at AbeBooks, who is preparing for the trip of a life-time.

via World Partnership Walk and Megan Hamlet | Reading Copy Book Blog.

AKF participation in Government of Canada Conference - December 2008

Posted: 16 Apr 2009 08:23 AM PDT


excerpt:

Khalil Shariff, Chief Executive Officer, Aga Khan Foundation Canada

–snip–

The third panellist was Khalil Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada. Mr. Shariff said, “We are going to be a panel in violent agreement” about what is needed. He encouraged taking an approach of “symbasa”, which roughly translates to “giving a boost.”

He told the audience that four principle premises should guide development work:

  1. Ideas and innovation, not scale. If we want to have impact without scale, we should think seriously about innovation and ideas. We now know that the basic model developed by CIDA is now generalized throughout the world.
  2. Take relationships seriously. In future, the countries with the greatest influence will be those that can hold and nurture the deepest set of relationships with the broadest set of actors. If we took the idea of relationship-building very seriously, we could become the hub of a whole series of ideas.
  3. Take a long-term approach. It simply cannot be overemphasized that development is a process, not an event. Unless we can nurture that process, we cannot command it.
  4. Focus on learning, research and communication. There is no reason why we should not have a vibrant constituency for development in this country. We have not ensured that our citizens are the best connoisseurs of development in the world. A vacuum will be filled. We need to exercise thoughtful leadership on what learning lessons looks like and sharing them with our constituents and with everyone else in the world.

In summary, Mr. Shariff said that the ripple effects of following these premises would be seen far beyond their immediate effect.

http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca

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