More pictures: Window to Mombasa.
Tag Archives: Blogs
New Blog: Ismaili Youth Online
We are a group of Ismaili youth, hence the name “Ismaili Youth,” writing about our lives as Ismaili youngsters as well as about anything and everything we care about.
Editor: Suhauna Hussain – Staff
Blog: http://ismailiyouth.wordpress.com.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IsmailiYouthOnline
Who were these Bead Bais of East Africa who came to Canada as grandmothers?
From the early 20th century, Satpanth Ismaili family homes spanned the African geography – the forests, grasslands, highlands, the Great Rift Valley, plateaux and deserts. Often their homes had a courtyard behind the family store and often the home-store had a small room furnished as a jamat khana. Often their home-store was on the only street and they were the only Asian African family in the area.
In the stores on the savannah, the Bais worked sorting and stringing ethnic beads. Many Satpanth Ismailis started their businesses in East Africa selling beads like my great grandfather, Rajan Nanji Pachani….More thebeadbai.blogspot.com.
Earlier related: Splendours of dawn in my English suitcase – by Sultan Somjee
Are We There Yet?: Calgary Stampede Breakfast and Jamatkhana Tour
Our second day in Calgary started with a quick breakfast at home and then a trip to the Ismaili Community Stampede Pancake Breakfast. …. We were enticed by the Ismaili breakfast when Joanne mentioned that they serve pancakes, scrambled eggs, curry and chai. The meal did not disappoint and somehow these very different foods and flavors seemed to all go well together, especially washed down with a super strong and creamy chai. After filling up with yummy food we joined an organized tour of the Ismaili [Jamatkhana]. The [place] was so beautiful and filled us all with a sense of tranquility and peace. I am not sure if it was the calmness of the place, the symmetrical architecture, or the special windows allowing for a perfect balance of light and shade, but I believe it was all of these elements combined to create that perfect environment for worship and contemplation.
Pamir Mountains June 17-27, Part 2. Khorog « nancystan
Central Park is lovely with gardens, green spaces, and a swimming pool. The park is located next to the Gunt River, which flows through town and into the Panj River just out of town, the border with Afghanistan.
I was convinced that there must be something that encompasses the eternal message that is timeless, time-tested and yet timely for today’s world. Most importantly, I was in search for something that my heart could innately acknowledge as truth. I believed that if each of us had a spark of Spirit within our being, then it should take no effort for truth to recognize Truth.
My heart’s first sighting of Truth was through the Bhagavad Gita.
Click here to read sabrinalakhani.com/2012/06/26/from-shri-krishna-to-shah-karim.
The tomb of Babur, the first Moghul emperor, blasted and pock marked during the civil war of the 1990s, has been lovingly restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Some visitors come because it is now Kabul’s most tranquil public space; some because Babur is emerging as an unlikely national hero in a country short of leaders worth admiring.
Sabrina Lakhani: A Higher Purpose | Sojourn
As a westerner in the midst of a war zone, I always wondered why such great emphasis was placed on restoring Bagh-e-Babur (Gardens of Babur) in 2002, in the center of Kabul, Afghanistan.
When I visited Bagh-e-Babur in 2010, I remember thinking, “Wow, people risked their lives to restore this garden, but why? What will it do for the people of this land?”
I mean, I knew what I was doing there. And I knew what a new hospital could do for the people of Afghanistan. And of course, restoring educational and housing facilities is imperative…but restoring a garden? I mean, logically speaking, a garden is no safe haven in Kabul. Besides, who could afford to spend even a single day in the garden? Didn’t people have work to do? Going on a picnic seemed like a frivolous activity when there was an entire country to rebuild…
Again and again I would ask, “Why did the AKTC, under the guidance of His Highness the Aga Khan, take the initiative to restore this garden?”
Two years later, I arrived at the answer…
Click here to read at the source: sabrinalakhani.com.
Farah Mohamed writes at official Google blog: A world of opportunity at the G(irls)20 Summit
We’re pleased to have Farah Mohamed join us today to talk about her organization, the G(irls)20 Summit, of which Google is a proud sponsor. The mission of the G(irls)20 Summit is to showcase how girls and women can impact a country’s economic prosperity, political stability and social innovation. – Ed.
Research shows that investing in girls and women can help the global economy. Consider the following examples:
According to Plan UK, an extra year of education increases a girl’s income by 10 to 20% and is a significant step on the road to breaking the cycle of poverty.
In Kenya, adolescent pregnancies cost the economy $500 million per year, while investing in girls could potentially add $32 billion to the economy (NIKE Foundation, 2009, Girl Effect).
If men and women had equal influence in decision-making , an additional 1.7 million children would be adequately nourished in sub-Saharan Africa (International Labour Organization, 2009).
These are significant estimates, and they highlight a real opportunity for global economic growth. That’s why the G(irls)20 Summit is working with Google and many other corporate and foundation partners to empower girls and women.
Simerg’s Third Anniversary and the Blog’s Popular Pieces (2/2)
A few days ago we listed twelve pieces that have been very popular with the readers since this blog was launched three years ago. We now present twelve more popular readings. In addition, we are also providing links to three completed series consisting of over one hundred articles. Each of the series is also available as an excellent PDF publication.
Readers may be interested in the following facts about this blog:
In 2009, Simerg averaged 300 views per day (year total, 119,000); in 2010 the daily average was 775 (280,000); in 2011, daily average was 994 (362,000); and for 2012, the daily average for the 4 month period, January-April, is running at 1,115 (133,465). Cumulative views from March 2009 – April 2012, 895,200. The highest one day view was 4,290, on October 8, 2010, when we published John Macdonald’s exclusive photos of His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Rideau Hall, the Governor General’s Residence, in Ottawa.
We need to substantially increase the readership numbers, and enhance Simerg’s presence and awareness on the world-wide web. We hope readers will help us in our goal by sharing the website with their family members, friends and other contacts in numerous ways including word of mouth, the social media and email forwards. Some of these features are now available at the bottom of each article.
http://simerg.com/2012/04/29/simergs-third-anniversary-and-the-blogs-popular-pieces-22/
Simerg’s Third Anniversary and the Blog’s Most Popular Pieces (Part 1 of 2)
To mark this blog’s third anniversary, we recently launched the series, “Thanking Ismaili Historical Figures,” with the publication of three letters by Andrew Kosorok (Makers of the Fatimid Blue Qur’an), Mohezin Tejani (Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan) and Aziz Kurwa (The Person of the Institution of Imamat). Several more “Thank You Letters” will be published over the coming weeks and months, and cover many more fascinating historical figures during the past 1400 years.
What did this blog begin with, and which are the pieces that have been viewed the most since our launch in the spring of 2009? We wish to present some twenty-four selections in two instalments, out of over 600 fine articles that have been published so far.
via Simerg’s Third Anniversary and the Blog’s Most Popular Pieces (Part 1 of 2) « SIMERG.
The Foundation World Needs Community Philanthropy to Succeed | Tony Macklin
“Participation is the new endowment.”
This observation from the Aspen Institute’s Janet Topolsky has been stuck in my head since I read it a month ago in the Nonprofit Quarterly. She was part of a panel discussing the recent report The Value of Community Philanthropy by the C.S Mott Foundation and Aga Khan Foundation.
The article came around the same time that philanthropic provocateur Emmett Carson spoke in Pittsburgh. He cited the Philanthropy Awareness Initiative’s research showing the majority of civic leaders across America don’t feel informed about the work of foundations and can’t cite an example of a foundation’s impact.
via The Foundation World Needs Community Philanthropy to Succeed | Tony Macklin.
My Unfinished Life: Humayun’s Tomb: Where the emperor on the run finally rests!!
Today, Humayun’s Tomb is one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It lies in the heart of New Delhi and is a wonderful place to hang out on weekends or on holidays. It has been lovingly restored by the Aga Khan foundation and is a visual delight.
More photographs at the source: My Unfinished Life: Humayun’s Tomb: Where the emperor on the run finally rests!!.
Willowbank goes to Ottawa…and Toronto…and…
Our trip to Ottawa was chockfull of events. Upon arriving, we had an overview from the NCC on how the commission is organized and works, as well as a tour of some of their projects on the grounds of Rideau Hall.
We then attended the opening reception of the 2012 ICOMOS Canada conference at the magnificently designed Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat. Visiting this architectural gem (it really is – it’s design is based on beauty and structure of a rock crystal) was an amazing and unique experience
via Willowbank goes to Ottawa…and Toronto…and… | Willowbank’s Blog.
‘Light Upon Light’ « Nooru’s Blog
The sensuous eye is a horse,
and the light of God is the rider:
without the rider the horse is useless.
The light of God rides the sensuous eye,
and then the soul yearns for God.
How can a riderless horse
recognize the signs of the road?
God’s light enhances the senses:
this is the meaning of ‘Light Upon Light’
Rumi in his Masnavi 2.1290-1293.
More at: ‘Light Upon Light’ « Nooru’s Blog.
The lecture that inspired: AKAA’s “Implicate & Explicate” at the Victoria and Albert Museum
This blog intends to convey my excitement before it mellows! I attended the AKAA ‘Implicate Explicate’ lecture at the V&A earlier this evening (Friday 18th Nov) and was truly inspired through its complete relevance for what I am beginning to do now!
The lecture ‘Implicate Explicate: Aga Khan Award for Architecture’ showcased the nominated buildings, spaces and places celebrating architecture within the Muslim world. The jury members comprise architects and non-architects, a very apt and real choice in my opinion. I personally feel that a recognised form of celebrating design contribution by and/or for the Islamic world (for the designers are not necessarily Muslims per se) within the context of the current global situation needs to show the world the positive influences of the religion and its people.
One of the points raised that started me excitement was the mention of architecture students and graduates as activists (rather apt considering the current global economic situation) who take on development projects before completing their courses or soon after; often on a voluntary basis. There is a sense of entrepreneurial drive within the current generation. I guess considering the current economic crisis however unfair it is many of us new graduates and postgraduates are finding it difficult to find paid work so the only option to keep the skills and knowledge gained from our studies fresh, volunteer opportunities and self-initiated projects seem the way to go. It was suggested that many student/graduate activists undertake such projects not only as goodwill contributions to humanity, but many are now seeking to enter the development sector as a career.
The first exciting thing about this was that I felt that the speaker was talking about me! At the risk of sounding self-centred but I felt that this lecture provided me with signs encouraging me to continue on the path that I have begun to tread.
More: ‘Implicate Explicate: Aga Khan Award for Architecture’: the lecture that inspired! | Sadiqa Jabbar.
Simerg Blend 2011
Simerg published over one hundred fine pieces over the past twelve months. Simerg Blend is a varied selection from these readings for you to enjoy during the holiday period leading upto the New Year – 2012!
Beautiful Karimabad – Huqelberry’s Adventures
Karimabad is the capital of Hunza in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan province. Karimabad is also known as Baltit, it’s ancient name. Today’s name stems from Prince Karim Aga Khan, who’s name the town has taken! He is spiritual leader of the Shia Ismail Nizari community (more on that later). Since the arrival of KKH Karimabad has prospered and the bazaar has filled with hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies
Lyn’s Blog: Trip to the Ismaili Jamatkhana in Burnaby
Mention the words Islam and Muslim to many in the street these days and their thoughts turn to Sharia Law condoning the cutting off of hands, suicide martyrs dreaming of virgin in paradise, raped women being stoned…and many more negative images.
Eight parishioners from St. Philip’s-by-the-Sea decided on Tuesday November 15th to accept the free invitation of Naz Rayani and Mona Goode from the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society (CSRS) at the University of Victoria to tour The Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Burnaby. We sought the truth behind those stereotypes.
It was a dark and freezing morning shortly after six…
Click here to read at the source: Lyn’s Blog: TRIP TO THE ISMAILI JAMATKHANA IN BURNABY.
Bringing Home the World: Sky McLaughlin – The Ismaili Centre Dubai
Today I had my senses delighted at the architectural marvel which is the Ismaili Centre Dubai.
Pictures are worth a thousand words, so I will let the beauty speak for itself:
Click here for More photographs and notes: Bringing Home the World: The Ismaili Centre Dubai.
