Shiraz Shariff stuns Ken Hughes to capture Calgary-West PC nomination

CALGARY — As results for a handful of southern Alberta Progressive Conservative nomination races rolled in Saturday, at least one contest, in the Tory stronghold Calgary-West riding, took some observers and party members by surprise.

Former Alberta Health Services chairman and prominent candidate Ken Hughes lost the nomination by a narrow margin to former MLA Shiraz Shariff.

Mount Royal communications professor David Taras described the finish as “shocking,” but added that Hughes’ 11th-hour addition to the race may have factored into the loss.

“It’s all about the ground game and obviously (Shariff) had a better ground game,” Taras said.

via Shiraz Shariff stuns Ken Hughes to capture Calgary-West PC nomination.

Farouk Adatia | PC Nominee Calgary Hawkwood

My name is Farouk Adatia and I am running for the Progressive Conservative nomination in Calgary-Hawkwood.

I believe that true leadership is driven by integrity, accountability and a genuine desire to serve. I was raised in northwest Calgary, and know the community well. I am confident

that I will be a strong voice for Calgary-Hawkwood.

As a husband and a father of two young children, I am committed to bringing a new, dynamic and engaging perspective to government. I am driven by a desire to ensure that

the priorities that I believe in such as: a publicly funded healthcare system, quality education, economic prosperity and safer communities, continue to be provincial priorities

via Farouk Adatia | PC Nominee Calgary Hawkwood.

School with difference nurtures pluralism – The Times of India

MOMBASA (KENYA): Saleem, a 13-year-old in Kenya’s second-largest city, till the end of 2009, used to work at a cycle shop for three hours before and after school hours to pay for his term fees. But now, he lives in a spacious residential quarter facing the marine drive and has to spend not even a shilling on tuition fees. Saleem, like many other students at the Aga Khan Academy, is on a fully funded primary, middle and secondary school programme that allows him to get an International Baccalaureate ( IB) education at no cost.

The Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa stands on 18 acres of land, housing 650 students between ages six and 18. It was established in 2003 and, since then, has been catering to the less fortunate in Kenyan society even while taking students from across the globe. The academy is located on the sea coast, just five kilometres away from the heart of the scenic, and busy, Mombasa town.

Kronos Quartet / Alim Qasimov Ensemble to perform at Stanford, sponsored by Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Renowned for finding musical common ground across a seemingly limitless expanse of cultures and traditions, Grammy-winners and Lively Arts favorites the Kronos Quartet return for a solo set and a joint performance with Azerbaijan’s revered Alim Qasimov Ensemble—a magically cohesive partnership heard on Kronos’ recent albums Floodplain 2009 and Rainbow 2010. A member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble and winner of the prestigious IMC-UNESCO International Music Prize, Qasimov is one of the greatest living masters of mugham, a classical Azerbaijani vocal tradition. Kronos founder/violinist David Harrington said he was “magnetized” upon first hearing Qasimov sing, adding, “His voice drew me so close that it has become part of my own inner singing.

Generously supported by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and by the Sohaib and Sara Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies at Stanford University.

When:Sunday, February 12, 2012. 7:00 PM.
Where: Dinkelspiel Auditorium (Map)

via Kronos Quartet / Alim Qasimov Ensemble.

His Highness the Aga Khan to Speak at Urban Land Institute’s 2012 Europe Annual Conference

His Highness the Aga Khan to Speak at 2012 Europe Annual Conference: bit.ly/uw4LXk—
Urban Land Institute (@UrbanLandInst) January 26, 2012

http://uli-europe.org/paris12

Related: http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/category/awards/j-c-nichols-prize/

Ismaili Community Engaged in Responsible Volunteering (i-CERV): In Midnight Hour, 2012 Homeless Count Afoot

The hushed chatter and shuffling of footsteps outside Santa Monica homes and businesses in the early morning hours Thursday were the sounds of the 2012 citywide homeless count.

In its fifth year, the count was underway with the help of about 180 community volunteers, plus dozens of Santa Monica Police officers and city staffers.

–snip– Shahad Shamji, who grew up in Santa Monica and currently lives just outside the city’s borders south of the municipal airport, returned to the homeless count this year as a team leader. Armed with a clipboard and a yellow flashlight, he led three other volunteers through the residential neighborhood between Pearl Street and Ocean Park Boulevard and between 28th Street and South Centinela Avenue.

via In Midnight Hour, 2012 Homeless Count Afoot – Santa Monica, CA Patch.
Related: http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/homeless-count-relies-heavily-on-volunteers/
http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/2012-homeless-count-with-ismaili-community-engaged-in-responsible-volunteering-i-cerv/

2012 Homeless Count, with Ismaili Community Engaged in Responsible Volunteering (i-CERV)

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150532939968159.388000.562863158&type=1&l=b34eaa6abc

Related:
http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/homeless-count-relies-heavily-on-volunteers/
http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/ismaili-community-engaged-in-responsible-volunteering-i-cerv-in-midnight-hour-2012-homeless-count-afoot/

Homeless Count relies heavily on volunteers

Teamwork was in full swing Wednesday night as a mostly volunteer crowd gathered at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium to conduct an all night visual count of the homeless population.

Mayor Richard Bloom opened City Hall’s annual Homeless Count, apologizing for the lateness of the hour and thanking the volunteers for attending.

“You are the ones really playing an important role here tonight,” he said.

–snip– Santa Monica resident Shahad Shamji was one of many members of Ismaili Community Engaged in Responsible Volunteering (i-CERV), an Islamic community organization, who volunteered for the count.

This was not the first time that members of i-CERV had been present, and it probably won’t be the last, Shamji said. Shamji attended the 2011 Homeless Count, he added, but this was the first time he had led a team.

“It added to the responsibility,” he said.

via Homeless Count relies heavily on volunteers.
Related: http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/2012-homeless-count-with-ismaili-community-engaged-in-responsible-volunteering-i-cerv/
http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/ismaili-community-engaged-in-responsible-volunteering-i-cerv-in-midnight-hour-2012-homeless-count-afoot/

His Highness the Aga Khan: The dangers of decentralization | The Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/the-dangers-of-decentralization/article2316389/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/

Ismaili Community Ensemble: Celebrating Diversity – World Music Network

The Ismaili Community Ensemble (ICE) are staging a concert this Saturday 28 January at Cadogan Hall, 8.15pm.

The Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, generally known as the Ismailis, belong to the Shia branch of Islam. The Shia form one of the two major branches of Islam, the Sunni being the other. The Ismailis live in over 25 different countries, mainly in Central and South Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as in Europe, North America and Australia.

The Ismaili Community Ensemble, based here in London, takes diversity to heart — both in the origins of its musicians and the music that they compose. The Ensemble is well known for its collaborative performances with groups from different countries, faiths and musical traditions. Difference is regarded as both a natural and positive concept. Through this lens of diversity, ICE draws from a range of cultures, merging East with West and the traditional with the contemporary.

via Ismaili Community Ensemble: Celebrating Diversity – World Music Network – Live Events.
Earlier related: Ismaili Community Ensemble to perform at Cadogan Hall, January 28, 2012

Pakistani photographer Mirza Ali presents his photo exhibit at the U.S. Embassy

Pakistani photographer Mirza Ali presents his photo exhibit at the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday, January 25, 2012.

The photographer, Mirza Ali, is a professional mountaineer and promoter of outdoor education and adventure sports from Hunza/Shimshal in the Karakorum frontier valley of Pakistan, in Gilgit-Baltistan near the Chinese border. From his birth in 1983 among the mountains and glaciers of Shimshal, an area inaccessible by road until 2003, and his first 6000+m climb at a record young age in Pakistan, Mirza has lived out his love for the outdoors in multiple climbing expeditions. Together with his sister, Samina, the only rising young female mountaineer in Pakistan, Mirza founded an NGO, Pakistan Youth Outreach, to promote outdoor education, mountaineering, and adventure sports among youth and women in Pakistan. The photographs in this exhibit, which are for sale, were taken in the past year for a book project tentatively titled Colours of Karakorum.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150517272863621.383180.160073033620&type=1
Photographs at the source are copyright to Mirza Ali.

Shahirose Premji to host Science in the Cinema – Motherland Afghanistan

Hosted by Albert Innovates Health Solutions, Science in the Cinema provides FREE screenings (free popcorn included) of selected movies related to health or biomedical issues. A researcher who works in a related field introduces each film. Following the presentation, the researcher discusses new areas of research related to the science highlighted in the movie with time for audience questions and discussion.

For February 2, 2012, “Motherland Afghanistan” will be featured at Calgary’s Plaza Theatre at 6:30 p.m. with host researcher Shairose Premji, PhD, introducing the movie and subsequently delivering a short talk on new areas of research related to the science highlighted in the movie. There will also be time for audience questions and discussion.

Shairose Premji, PhD, Associate Professor in the UCalgary Faculty of Nursing as well as Member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, is a Nurse Scientist with a particular interest in child and maternal health. Formerly Chair of the Aga Khan Health Board for the Prairies region, she also has an affiliation with the Aga Khan University MSc (Nursing) program.

The Aga Khan University is at the forefront of child and maternal health research, education and care delivery within the jurisdictions wherein it is engaged, including Afghanistan.

Related resources:
Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan 2010 annual report
http://www.akdn.org/publications/2010_akf_afghanistan_annual_report.pdf

Information about Science in the Cinema and the free February 2nd event
http://www.aihealthsolutions.ca/sitc/

Motherland Afghanistan
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/motherlandafghanistan/%20

Sheniz Janmohamed wins first York Region Spoken Word Slam

The birth of a new slam series is a special moment. The room buzzes with intensity as showtime approaches. The new host is jittery, unsure of what the night will bring but thrilled about the experience that is about to unfold. Audience members, the majority of whom have never witnessed a slam event before, sit and chat with their neighbours. The music dims, the emcee steps to the mic, and the show begins.

Such was the scene this evening at Jake’s on Main in Unionville, where the first-ever YorkSlam took place. Before a packed house, Cytopoetics put on a terrific show. The three open mic poets were from the Writers’ Community of York Region who came to show support, and shared words that whetted the audience’s appetite for more.

via Recap: First-Ever YorkSlam featuring Ritallin « Events by Cytopoetics.

Gems from the Aga Khan’s speech and Nature Essays

Simerg’s new post has links to two literary pieces by Mohezin Tejani entitled “New Hampshire Twilight” and “Iguazu,” a South American natural wonder of the world, as well as “Gems” from His Highness the Aga Khan’s speech compiled by Malik Mirza. Please click “Iguazu” and “New Hampshire Twilight” by Mohezin Tejani and “Gems” from His Highness the Aga Khan’s Speech by Malik Mirza.

By clicking on the Home page you will have access to the afore-mentioned as well as recent posts on Honorary Degrees Conferred on His Highness the Aga Khan, A 75th birthday tribute to His Highness and the London Didar in Olympia in 1979.

Asian Newspapers: Aga Khan awarded honorary doctorate in Ottawa

Aga Khan awarded honorary doctorate in Ottawa – The Indo-Canadian Voice

Aga Khan, forty-ninth hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, was last week awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa for his service to humanity.

Aga Khan awarded doctorate – Asian Pacific Post

His Highness The Aga Khan was awarded an honourary doctorate by the University of Ottawa. This recent accomplishment adds to his honorary Companion of the Order of Canada and granted honorary Canadian citizenship – just the fifth person, and first Muslim with such an

Aga Khan awarded honorary doctorate in Ottawa – South Asian Focus

His Highness the Aga Khan was last week awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa for his service to humanity. The degree was conferred at a special convocation presided over by Chancellor Huguette Labelle and University President Allan Rock.

Children’s Books Focusing on Pluralism and Tolerance to Reach All Schools in Kyrgyz Republic

Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, 19 January 2012 —The Kyrgyz Republic’s Ministry of Education and Science, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Aga Khan Foundation signed an agreement this morning to reprint 90,500 copies of dual-language children’s books aimed at promoting peace, tolerance and respect for diversity among primary school children. The books will be distributed to all 2,204 schools in the country.

via General News: Children’s Books Focusing on Pluralism and Tolerance to Reach All Schools in Kyrgyz Republic.
Earlier related: Schools of Kyrgyzstan to get books promoting tolerance

The Snow Prince

http://www.ina.fr/media/entretiens/video/CPF04006882/le-prince-des-neiges.fr.html

Pharmacist wins leadership award

Naz Rayani, whose dedication to the community and to charitable causes earned him membership in the Order of Canada in 2006, has been named this year’s recipient of the Leadership Victoria Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rayani, a well-known pharmacist, has led the organization of the annual World Partnership Walk for many years. As a devout Ismaili Muslim, he has worked hard to bring together people of all faiths with frequent tours to Burnaby’s Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre.

Rayani is once again involved in the community after recovering from a period of ill health in 2010, during which he had a stroke and underwent open-heart surgery. He was hospitalized for a number of months.

Rayani will receive his award Feb. 21 during a ceremony at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. Twentynine people are nominated in six categories for the eighth annual Leadership Victoria event.

via Pharmacist wins leadership award.
Earlier related: Naz Rayani to receive 2012 Leadership Victoria Lifetime Achievement Award

Greenhouse products in cold Bamyan as an income source

Farmers in the mountainous Bamyan province say they receive good incomes by selling vegetables grown in the greenhouses.

“I grow cauliflowers, cabbages, spinaches and cucumbers in my greenhouse and I receive good incomes by selling them,” said Saberah from center of Bamyan city, adding that she is engaged in her greenhouse for four years.

She said that the vegetables grown in the province is fresher, cheaper and better than the imported products. Another farmer, Mohammad Ali said those families who cannot afford to buy vegetables in the winter, have vegetables for consumption as well as for selling. The greenhouses are made by Aga Khan Foundation.

via http://www.wakht.af/
http://crs-blog.org/afghanistan-visit-building-the-food-pyramid/

Kabul Cultural Site – Babur Gardens

PAS Kabul is currently funding a grant to enable school-aged Afghan children to visit the Kabul cultural site, Babur Gardens. This grant is operated by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

Babur Gardens was originally laid out in the early 16th century by the founder of the Moghul Empire. To date, almost 11,000 children, aged 7 to 14 have taken part in the school visits. By Year’s end, 17,000 children will have the opportunity to reconnect with this important piece of Afghan cultural heritage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIxxGT8kHxI&feature=youtube_gdata

Pakistan is a paradise for mountaineers: Nazir Sabir

LONDON: The world renowned Pakistani mountaineer Nazir Sabir gave a talk on his K2 and Everest climbs and the mountain heritage in Pakistan at Pakistan High Commission, London on 23 November, 2011.

Nazir Sabir while speaking on the occasion said that the north of Pakistan is a paradise for the mountaineers of the world and needs special global attention to facilitate the climbers around the world to benefit from this opportunity. The neglect of such facilities he said would give room to anti-social elements to exploit the poor and vulnerable population of the region. Secondly, this neglect amounts to denying the climbers and lovers of this sport the opportunity to attempt the most challenging mountainous region on earth, he added. There is need he emphasised to develop and improve the infrastructure around this region to attract and facilitate the climbers.

In his enthralling hour-long presentation embellished with stunning imagery Nazir Sabir explained the unique details of the 1977 expedition to K-2 covering its geology, sociology and history. He also briefed the audience of his success to reach the highest mountain of the world Mount Everest in 2001.

More The High Commission for Pakistan in United Kingdom.
All related Nazir Sabir

Thesis: Resiliency Amidst the Fragmented Lives of Afghan Refugee Women, by Rosmin Moez Bhanji

Thesis: Resiliency Amidst the Fragmented Lives of Afghan Refugee Women, By Rosmin Moez Bhanji, McMaster University

Excerpts:

My decision to pursue this study was framed by my own experience as an immigrant woman who came to Canada over 35 years ago. Although I have been here for over three decades, I feel that I am treated as an ‘outsider.’… The second reason that I wanted to pursue this study was my involvement with this population. I was appointed as a chairperson for the settlement of the newly arriving Afghan Ismaili families in the early 1990s. In my work with these families, and especially with the women, I noticed the significant strength and courage of these women who had come into a completely new environment and had suffered so many traumas. They were eager to learn, trying to cope with the multiple challenges of looking after their families, working to support their families, and trying to learn the English language in a different culture and environment. After seeing their courage and fortitude, I was motivated to travel to Afghanistan to work for an international nongovernmental organization (NGO). For almost 10 years I worked with various women’s groups, and their inner strength and resiliency amazed me. Although Afghans have a complex culture and diversity of experiences, they are very warm and hospitable and show enormous endurance beyond the imagination of many of us in the industrialised world.

http://digitalcommons.mcmaster.ca/

Photo of Aga Khan Garden, Margao, Goa

Panoramio – Photo of Aga Khan Margao Garden, Goa.
Related: First phase of Margao garden almost ready

MARGAO: With the first phase of the beautification project of the Margao municipal garden scheduled for completion by the end of the month, the historic and recreational landmark will be open to the public once again. This time around, it will include a joggers’ track and more amusement facilities for children.

Amidst controversy over its upkeep, the municipal garden was handed over to the parks and gardens division of the forest department for the purpose of its beautification.

AKES’s Little Star High School, Adilabad, featured in the news

Science fairs in schools not only introduce students to the thrills of science but they come as a welcome break from the dull routine of the classes.

The enthusiasm of children towards such events was evident by the mood of participants at the school-level science exhibition ‘SPARK’ conducted by the Little Star High School.

The cheerful faces of the participants made it abundantly clear that they prefer fun. Nevertheless, the much desired break from the dull routine of the classroom did not affect their craving for scientific learning.

via The Hindu : NATIONAL / ANDHRA PRADESH : Science fairs break monotony of classroom teaching.
More about Little Star High School, Adilabad: http://www.agakhanschools.org/india/lshsa/achievements.asp

Almas Jiwani, UN Women Canada President to Address McGill Students on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

Almas Jiwani, President of the National Committee for the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women Canada) will be joined by Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, a prominent activist and television correspondent and media personality, to address the lecture topic, A New Era of Hope: UN Women, Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.

The event organized by the McGill Students Chapter of UN Women Canada is expected to garner diverse audiences from across the university campus and the larger Montreal Community. The lecture will take place on Friday, January 27, 2012, from 3:00-4:30 p.m. in the Lev Bukhman Room at the SSMU building on 3600 Rue McTavish.

“I look forward to addressing the McGill student community on the topic of gender equality for a first-of-its-kind event. I’m honored that Ms. Gregoire-Trudeau will be attending this event as a guest of honour and sharing her views.” States Ms. Jiwani.

Jiwani and Gregoire-Trudeau will speak about their personal experience with the women’s equality movement and share stories illustrating their advocacy work at the grassroots level. Both humanitarians and women’s rights advocates, the speakers will raise awareness about the work of UN Women.

via Almas Jiwani, UN Women Canada President, and Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau to Address McGill Students on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment – MarketWatch.