Murad Velshi: From baker to politician February 9, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Canada, Ismaili Muslims in the News, North America.add a comment
While Murad Velshi lived in apartheid-era South Africa, the laws always seemed to be against him. Indians like him were forced to live in ghettos. They were not allowed to eat in restaurants. They were not allowed to use public washrooms. They couldn’t even go to movies.
By the time the Velshis left for Canada in 1961, the South African government had made things impossible for them. The family’s bakery was raided on an almost monthly basis, with police in full riot gear. The reason: for the bread to rise, the bakery used yeast, which is also used to ferment alcohol. And, inSouth Africa, non-whites were not allowed to drink alcohol.
Velshi found Canada to be a friendlier climate for business. He and his wife established a successful travel business, which grew to operate five offices in Ontario and British Columbia.
In 1987, he became the first South Asian and first Muslim to be elected to the Ontario legislature. He was also the first Ismaili Muslim elected to any seat in North America.
http://www.canadianimmigrant.ca/immigrantstories/career/article/1593
Sarah T, 16 year old Percussionist February 9, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Art and Culture, Ismaili Muslim Artists, North America, United States.1 comment so far
Sarah is a 16 year old musician, composer, self taught percussionist/drummer and singer.
She plays piano, drumset, tablas, dholaks, ghatam/Udu pot, bhangra dhol, djembes, congoas/bongos, darbuka, other percussions, violin plus she is a singer herself.
She has created many covers of songs while in the process of creating her own music. Her music has rhythms and beats that come from all parts of the world as she is trying to promote multiculturalism through music.
Sarah’s dad – Mehboob Thawer – is a talented musician. His band’s name is Mehboob’s Orchestra. You can visit his website at www.mehbooborchestra.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/SarahTDrumGuru
Fairfield mosque a sign of Muslim growth in Birmingham area | al.com February 9, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Ismaili Muslims in the News, Jamat Khana, North America, United States.add a comment
The Birmingham Islamic Society, composed of Sunni Muslims, is the largest and most established Islamic group in the city, with its three mosques and Islamic Academy.
The Nation of Islam also has a chapter in Birmingham. The Ismaili Muslims, a Shiite sect, last year opened a new prayer center called a jamatkhana in an office park off West Oxmoor Road.
The Birmingham Islamic Society’s annual Eid al-Fitr celebration, a feast to end the Islamic holy month of Ramadan that’s open to all Muslims, draws about 2,500 at the Alabama State Fairgrounds.
Aga Khan Academy, Maputo February 9, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Africa, Education, Education Services, Mozambique.add a comment
Situated on Africa’s east coast, Maputo, the thriving capital of Mozambique, carries a rich vein of local history and culture, along with more recent influences from Portugal and the former Communist Bloc countries. It is here that the Mozambican Academy, to be known as AKA, Maputo, will be built.
The 21.8 hectare site, located in the district of Matola, approximately 20 km from Maputo city centre, was kindly donated by the Mozambican government.
http://www.agakhanschools.org/academies/maputo/
Bank of Uganda Governor decries low pay for health staff February 9, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Africa, Aga Khan University, Health, Uganda.add a comment
January 25 2010 – Bank of Uganda Governor, Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, has criticised the deepening staff shortages in health facilities and poor remuneration of medics, saying they overshadow the strides so far made in the health sector.
Presiding over the seventh graduation ceremony of Aga Khan University of Nursing on Saturday in Kampala, Prof. Mutebile asked the graduates to brave the challenges facing the health sector which he said was key in accelerating development in the country.
“You will face many challenges in your careers since the health problems of this country are immense and the conditions under which nurses must work are often very difficult,’’ he said, adding: “But I am confident that the training that you have received at the Aga Khan University has equipped you with the skills to overcome these challenges.”
Ministry of Health records indicate that there is a staggering shortfall of 2,290 nurses out of the required 5,568 in government hospitals alone.
Due to poor pay, some nurses abscond from duty because they are frustrated and this has prompted many to leave the country in search for greener pastures outside the country.
Montreal World Partnership Walk campaign launches February 9, 2010
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The Montreal branch of the national World Partnership Walk launched its annual campaign today.
Now in its 26th year, the Walk raises awareness and funds for international development initiatives in some of the world’s poorest communities, such as revitalizing rural economies in Asia and Africa, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation, and the education of women.
100 per cent of the funds raised go directly to the Walk’s development initiatives, which are implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC).
More examiner.com.
Week in Review – Feb 7, 2010 February 9, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Newsletter.add a comment
Ismaili Muslims in the news
- Firoz Rasul
- Article by Karim Imamdad Hunzai
- Alykhan Jetha
- Nasir Peerani
- Alnoor Shivji
- Nizar Juma
- Karim Virji
- Nasreen Jessani
- Virani Family Foundation
- Ali Asani
- Rani Suleman
- Saifa Koonar
- Salim Lakhani
- Shamez Amlani
His Highness the Aga Khan attends Global Zero Summit
Ismaili Muslim Students Association at University of Texas February 8, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Community Activities, Council sponsored, Education, Ismaili Muslims in the News, North America, United States.1 comment so far
By Vidushi Shrimali – Monday, February 8, 2010, For the small group of students trying to create the Ismaili Muslim Students Association, the third time’s the charm.
Since 2004, various students have unsuccessfully tried to start the association twice on campus.
Ismaili Muslims belong to the Shia doctrine of Islam. They practice Islam under the guide of a spiritual leader whom they call Imam, who they believe is the direct descendent of the Prophet Muhammad. Ismailis are led by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, called Mawlana Hazar Imam, a spiritual leader who preaches the Ismaili way of life.
In his teachings, the Aga Khan promotes sports and good health. This emphasis led to a collaboration between the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board and UT students to form the group in November. On Wednesday, the association had its first meeting, drawing a crowd of about 80 students.
“There wasn’t proper communication [between Ismailis on campus],” said Rahim Lakhani, club president and finance junior. “There are 200 to 300 Ismailis on campus. People who attended the meeting said 65 to 75 percent of the faces were new to them. Our Ismaili brothers and sisters are there, we just don’t know them.”
More: http://www.dailytexanonline.com/university/ismaili-muslim-students-establish-group-work-for-interfaith-dialogue
Earlier related: http://www.utexas.edu/know/events/lifestyle/20100203/e9949
Yasmin Mawani: Building Cross-cultural Bridges in York Region February 8, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Canada, Ismaili Muslims in the News, North America.add a comment
Building cross-cultural bridges in York Region
Excerpts: There was a time when Yasmin Mawani thought her son’s school had her telephone number on speed dial. She was constantly getting calls and her initial reaction was to blame her son. “My two boys went to a predominantly white school and as they were growing up, I realized my younger son got bored very easily. He’s a very intelligent child, but he was labelled a troublemaker. That was when I really started to get involved working with the schools,” says Yasmin.
Today her two sons, aged 24 and 26, are successful young adults and Yasmin is the Community Resource Facilitator for the York Region District School Board. Yasmin helps to enhance students’ learning experiences by connecting parents and students to community services such as health care, parenting classes, youth clubs and recreational programs.
This mother of two likes to use the word empowerment when talking about the needs of the rapidly growing immigrant community in York Region. Her desire to give all children regardless of colour, race or creed an educational experience that prepares them for a changing Canada, prompted her to devise an exchange program to build cross-cultural bridges between white students and students of colour.
Yasmin arrived in Canada from the United Kingdom with her husband and first child in May, 1980. Her second son was born in Toronto. Since arriving, Yasmin has dedicated much of her time to empowering immigrants.
As an Ismaili Muslim, she had been been involved in social causes since age 17 and she continued this work when she arrived in Canada. In the late 1990s, she chaired a project which involved a national study of women to determine what was hindering Muslim women from reaching their potential as contributors to society. Out of this initiative evolved programs to help women upgrade their language and computer skills as well as access child and elderly care support.
http://www.maytree.com/training/leaders-for-change/leadership-journeys/yasmin-mawani
Gojal clamours for urgent attention February 8, 2010
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A month has already passed since the devastating landslide of Atabad Hunza. KKH, the lifeline of communication between Pakistan and China lies blocked. This situation coupled with the already poor communication infrastructure in Gojal area has increased the miseries and danger to the lives of the 25,000 inhabitants of the area.
The experts monitoring the water level in the lake formed as a result of the landslide estimate the water inflow in the lake at 200 to 250 cubic foot per second. This is raising the level of the lake by an average of 2.6 feet per day. Presently the lake stretches to about 11 km towards Gulmit and it is estimated to further increase to about 25-30 kilometres towards Hussaini village.
The water has already inundated 900 kanals of land and thousands of orchards in Ayeenabad and Shishkat Payeen (lower), besides submerging 11 houses while others are watching haplessly and waiting to see when their houses go under water that has also damaged the electricity and telephone infrastructure. According to experts, the height of the potential spillways point is still 79 meters from the present water level in the artificial lake.
More dawn.com.
Abid Virani, Co-founder of Student Reach International February 8, 2010
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December 13, 2009 Vik Kirsch – Excerpts:
GUELPH — A group of Guelph students is trying to make a difference in the lives of citizens of a small south African nation, and the public can help.
They are working on a youth-focused documentary and hope to receive funding from Aviva Canada’s recently launched $500,000 community fund. A variety of community projects are vying in a competition for proposals and anyone can vote through the insurance firm’s contest website: www.avivacommunityfund.org.
“We have a responsibility here to help others elsewhere,” Abid Virani, co-founder and director of Student Reach International, said Sunday. (more…)
With First Lady’s help, Syria wakes up to benefits of volunteerism February 8, 2010
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[excerpt] In Damascus the Syrian Environmental Association (SEA) recently transformed a rubbish site into a botanical garden and arranges litter clean-ups. In Aleppo, the Aga Khan Foundation’s summer schools for children are run entirely by volunteers.
[snip] Having free time was commonly cited by volunteers, women especially, as a reason for joining groups. Nesreen Albtihe, a 25-year-old student who volunteers at summer camps for children run by the Aga Khan Foundation, said: “I didn’t have important things to do during my vacations and free time.”
Doaa Halaage, 19, who volunteers at a similar camp in Aleppo, agrees. “I decided to volunteer to fill my free time,” she said. ““Before, I didn’t know what to do with it.”
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100206/FOREIGN/702059868/1135/commentary
Rosemina Nathoo, Chief of Staff for Canadian Minister of Labour February 8, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Canada, Ismaili Muslims in the News, North America.1 comment so far
By Barbara Sibbald
Ambitious about the world and her place in it, Rosemina Nathoo decided in grade school that she was going to make a difference. Undeterred by bureaucracy and the procedural nature of government affairs, she quickly made waves in international policy and trade law. Now a senior political advisor, she is proof that a career in the public service is no cubicle-dwelling affair.
Rosemina Nathoo has advised the Russians on their entry to the World Trade Organization, helped Prime Minister Stephen Harper transition his new government to power and worked as chief of staff at two federal ministries. Despite the long hours, Nathoo, 36, remains enthusiastic and idealistic about world affairs.
Since 2007, she has been chief of staff for Minister of Labour Rona Ambrose, whose profile includes overseeing federally regulated private-sector employees of Air Canada and CN Rail.
As the minister’s most senior political advisor, Nathoo oversees 12 staffers and operations in four offices while handling contentious issues related to the portfolio and the minister’s image or relations with cabinet.
Informing this sense of civic duty is her family history. Her parents, Kenyan entrepreneurs of South Asian descent, owned one of the first factories in Nairobi that manufactured foodstuffs such as soda pop and tomato sauce. When the government began expropriating private businesses, her parents abandoned everything and immigrated to Calgary in 1975, when Nathoo was two.
More: http://magazine.carleton.ca/2009_Fall/2159.htm
“I Wish I’d Been There” Summoning the Past Into the Present February 8, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Blogosphere.Tags: Simerg
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“I Wish I’d Been There”
Summoning the Past Into the Present
To mark the first anniversary of Simerg.Com, we want scholars, authors, waezins, intellectuals as well as students of history, Ismailis and non-Ismailis alike, to contribute towards a special series that we shall be launching in mid-March 2010 called “I Wish I’d Been There.” Like the American Heritage magazine did some twenty five years ago in a special issue dedicated to American History, we want you to consider this question:
What is the one scene, incident or event in Ismaili history you would like to have witnessed — and why?
We are asking you to be a “fly on the wall” at an epochal period in Ismaili history, and we hope that the range of answers will confirm that historical imagination is unbounded. Taken together, your replies should turn out to be an amusing, fascinating, moving, and perhaps even a coherent narrative history – one that we believe might fulfill a challenge by the pre-eminent American historian, Commer Vann Woodward, “to summon the past into the present.”
Your contribution can vary from 50 to 600 words in length and should be emailed to simerg@aol.com, subject “I Wish I’d Been There.” If you wish, you may submit a relevant image to accompany your narrative.
We look forward to your contribution for this unique project.
Abdulmalik J. Merchant
Editor, Simerg.com
Partnership Walk 2009: End Global Poverty | Hakim Sons Films February 8, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Aga Khan Foundation, North America, Partnerships in Action, United States.add a comment
Difference between Intellect and Reason February 7, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Books, Imam Ali, Islam, Religious.Tags: Reza Shah-Kazemi
1 comment so far
It may be useful at the outset to clarify our preference for the English word ‘intellect’ rather than ‘reason’ to translate ‘aql. What we wish to evoke here is the original meaning of intellectus in Latin Christendom, a meaning which is practically identical to that of nous in the Patristic Greek tradition: intellectus/nous is that which is capable of a direct contemplative vision of transcendent realities, whereas reason–the translation of the Latin ratio and the Greek dianoia–is of an indirect, discursive nature; it works with logic and arrives at mental concepts, only, of those realities. With the intellect, then, one is able to contemplate or ’see’ the Absolute; with the reason, one can only think about it.
JUSTICE AND REMEMBRANCE – Introducing the Spirituality of Imam Ali – by Reza Shah-Kazemi
Related:
Interview with Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi
Hazrat Ali (A.S) – Collection of ahadith
Hunza, Pakistan February 7, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Asia, Pakistan.Tags: Hunza
add a comment
via Katherine Neumann collection on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katherineneumann/sets/72157603984971637/
First Arabic Edition of ‘Uyun al-akhbar’ by the Tayyibi Musta‘lian Ismaili da‘i, Idris ‘Imad al-Din February 7, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Books, History, Institute of Ismaili Studies, Religious.add a comment
The ‘Uyun al-akhbar wa-funun al-athar, by the Tayyibi Musta‘lian Ismaili da‘i, Idris ‘Imad al-Din, occupies a central position in Ismaili historiography. This major publication project is an outcome of collaboration between the Institut Français du Proche Orient (IFPO) in Damascus and The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS).
This text, composed by the Ismaili da‘i-scholar in seven volumes, presents the most comprehensive history of the Ismaili imams and da‘wa, from the earliest period of Muslim history until the late Fatimid period.
More: http://iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=111168
$1bn green varsity in Sindh by 2014 – News February 7, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Aga Khan Foundation, Asia, Pakistan.1 comment so far
Staff Reporter KARACHI: The Sindh government has allotted a plot of land to Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) to establish Pakistan’s first-ever Green University with the cost of $1 billion.
The Vice Chairman, Sindh Board of Investment (SBOI) and Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh, Zubair Motiwala said that this is going to be the largest ever single FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) by any investor in Sindh and if the project gets commissioned in 2014, it would be the remarkable success to the SBOI in its endeavour to bring investment to the country.
The green university would be spread on a land of over 800 acres at Link Road, Gadap Town near Karachi where the provincial government has planned to set up Education City. (more…)
Special Lecture: A Thousand Years of “Feast and Lore”: The Shahnama of Firdawsi February 6, 2010
Posted by ismailimail in Art and Culture, Community Activities, Council sponsored, North America, United States.add a comment
Feb 21, 2010 3:00 PM at the Caroline Wiess Law Building
A Thousand Years of “Feast and Lore”: The Shahnama of Firdawsi
Presented by Dr. Francesca Leoni, Assistant Curator of the Arts of the Islamic World, MFAH
The year 2010 marks the 1000th anniversary of the completion of the Shahnama (“Book of Kings”), the most important Persian epic and one of the longest poems of world literature. Composed by Abu´l-Qasim Firdawsi over more than 35 years, the Shahnama recounts the history of the Iranian kings from the beginning of time until the fall of the Sasanian Dynasty in the mid-7th century. (more…)
