from around the world.
February 8, 2009 Leave a comment
The next meeting of the IFNC for this year will be hosted by Calgary’s Sikh Community on Wednesday, February 12th 2009 at the Sikh Society Gurdwara (Old Banff Coach Rd. & 81 St. SW) at 7:30pm.
The issue for discussion will be “Engaging our youth”
The theme for this year is: Issues Arising When Practising Your Faith in 21st Century Calgary
http://www.almoonir.blogspot.com/2009/02/upcoming-interfaith-network-of-calgary.html
January 21, 2009 1 Comment
On January 18, 2009 the Ismaili Muslim Community hosted the Interfaith Network of Calgary at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre.
The session was attended by 40 participants from the Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Sikh and Ismaili Muslim faith tradition.
Rev. Tom Melvin brought a group of youth from Deer Park United Church to attend this session as part of the requirement towards their Confirmation.
Jamil Kassam, an Ismaili Muslim scholar, talked about “Identity and Pluralism,” with reference to the Ismailis in Calgary.
January 14, 2009 Leave a comment
The next meeting of the IFNC for this year will be hosted by Calgary’s Ismaili Muslim Community on Sunday, January 18th 2009 at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre (1128 45th Ave. NE ) at 2:30pm.
The theme for this year is: Issues Arising When Practising Your Faith in 21st Century Calgary
November 25, 2008 Leave a comment
Calgary, Canada – Tuesday November 25, 2008
November 24, 2008 1 Comment
“The Ismaili community is a very strong component of the fabric of Calgary. It’s incredible in terms of the volunteering they do, everything from the Stampede float to the homeless to building affordable housing units in the community of Mayland Heights,” said the mayor.
Stephane Massinon Calgary Herald Monday, November 24, 2008
With tears in his eyes and his voice quivering, Nash Jetha speaks quietly when asked why he came to see the Aga Khan’s arrival Sunday night in Calgary.
“I am here for the greatest moment of my life,” he answers.
Having never had the opportunity to see the Ismaili spiritual leader in person, he said just being in the presence of his holiness was incredible.
“Emotionally, it was overwhelming. Since I was a young boy, he has always been our pillar,” said Jetha, who came from Edmonton to be at the arrival.
“It’s hard to describe. I am from Africa and we were uprooted from there and came to Canada. He’s been there all the time. He’s taken care of us.”
Jetha was one of 300 Ismailis to be at a private airport hangar Sunday night where the spiritual leader arrived. The Aga Khan is touring Canada as part of his jubilee celebrations.
The gathered crowd — after fits of false starts, nervous laughter and palpable excitement — fell completely silent as the Aga Khan walked in, shook a few hands and received a gift from the mayor.
The crowd waived as he walked toward the Cadillac that awaited him and again toward the car as he left.
Many hugged after the event that lasted perhaps a few minutes.
November 23, 2008 1 Comment
Graeme Morton , Canwest News Service Published: Saturday, November 22, 2008
Aga Khan’s visit excites community
CALGARY – Calgary’s close-knit Ismaili Muslim community is on pins and needles in anticipation of Sunday’s visit by the Aga Khan, spiritual leader for the world’s 15 million Ismailis.
The Aga Khan, who began his weeklong Canadian tour in Ottawa on Nov. 18, will fly into Calgary Sunday evening.
The 24-hour Calgary stop, his first visit here in 16 years, will include a meeting with Lt.-Gov. Norm Kwong.
But for Calgary Ismailis, the highlight will be the Aga Khan’s gathering with the community on Monday afternoon. More than 14,000 faithful are expected to pack the venue for his address, a prayer session and social gathering.
November 20, 2008 Leave a comment
From Almoonir Dewji’s blog:
http://almoonir.blogspot.com/2008/11/catholic-students-visit-calgary-ismaili.html
Over the past two days I had the honour to host, at the Calgary Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, students from the World Religion Class at two Catholic High Schools: Father Lacombe High School, Calgary and St. Martin de Porres Senior High School, Airdrie.
The tours were organized as part of the Canadian Centre for Diversity‘s “Discover Religious Diversity: Full Day Guided Outing” program. The folllowing is a description of the program from their website:
Canada has a great diversity of faiths and religions but most of us are barely acquainted with them. So, in a single day, we take students to three houses of worship where they learn about the history, customs and traditions of each religion. Interactive questions and answer sessions are part of each visit and a brief concluding session led by Centre staff.
November 19, 2008 1 Comment
Natasha Somani
…for her work with the Interfaith Youth Council.
Ms. Parinbanu Esmail
…for raising funds and awareness for global poverty through the World Partnership Walk.
November 18, 2008 Leave a comment
Attached two pictures of Calgary Nov. 1978 arrival. Hazar Imam’s first words “it’s cold” (-17c)
Earlier related: Honorary Calgarian
Hazar Imam’s 1978 visit to Edmonton
September 12, 2008 4 Comments
Alykhan Lalani - Vice-president and partner Colliers International
Munir Jivraj - Oilsands royalty planning manager Suncor Energy Inc.
Alim Mitha - Chief neurosurgery resident Foothills Hospital
July 7, 2008 1 Comment
The first ever National Canadian I-STAR gala [Ismaili Students Total Achievement and Recognition], held at the Imperial Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Calgary Alberta. 700 people gathered, including 150 participants from across the country and numerous dignitaries.
Guest of honour was the Alberta Minister of Education. Raheem Jaffer, MP and national caucus chair for the federal conservatives, Dean of the UCalgary Faculty of Education, Dean of the Mount Royal School of Business, Ruth Ramsden-Wood, president of the united way of Calgary, as well as the Chancellor of the University of Calgary were all present (just to name a few).
Key note speaker was Dr. Tom Kessinger, GM of AKF world-wide, and deputy chair of the board, AKDN, had flown in from Geneva to deliver the keynote address.
Earlier related: Canadian I-STAR: Recognizing Excellence Coast to Coast
July 6, 2008 Leave a comment
Kelly Cryderman / Calgary Herald / Sunday, July 06, 2008
Just a few steps from where square dancers whirl is an exhibit on the restoration of historic Islamic sites in countries such as Syria, Egypt and Afghanistan.
And alongside breakfast-eaters’ pancakes, sausage and eggs comes a dollop of stew-like bharazi, an East African dish made of pigeon peas and a mild coconut sauce.
The Ismaili community has always done a traditional Stampede breakfast — with a Muslim twist.
But over its 12 years of existence, the Ismaili Muslim community breakfast has evolved to become one of the city’s largest and most organized breakfasts, thrusting it into the mainstream of Stampede events, say community members and fans.
“This breakfast has helped us reach out to Calgarians,” said Nashir Samanani, president of the Ismaili Council for the Prairies.
The event brings together a cross-section of people that do not always mix on a day-to-day basis. On Saturday young women in short-shorts and cowboy hats could be seen eating alongside old men wearing traditional wool Afghan hats called pakols.
“It’s a must-attend event for our organization,” said David Chalack, vice-chairman of the Calgary Stampede board.
He along with other attending politicians spoke of the “precision” in the organizing of the event, which is held at the city’s major Jamatkhana — the Ismaili house of worship.
There’s 500 volunteers making up parking, catering, security and logistics teams. And after a vicious thunder and lightning storm destroyed a giant tent that had been only partially erected last year, volunteers packed up and moved the whole event to a different location in the space of five hours.
The community-based breakfast doesn’t do any advertising. Instead Calgary’s Ismaili community members are encouraged to tell friends, neighbours and co-workers to come out.
Calgary’s 11,000 Ismaili Muslims appear to take the job seriously. Most of the approximately 5,000 people attending Saturday’s breakfast were either Ismaili themselves or had been invited by an Ismaili relative, friend or colleague.
However, there were at least some who came out who had no obvious ties to the community.
“We’ve heard a lot of good things about it,” said Dana Pearson, 34.
“You get a little bit more than just pancakes. You get the peas,” added her friend and fellow speech pathologist Rhonda Hellardm, 36.
Former Tory MLA Stan Nelson, who has attended the breakfast for many years, said years ago he could find a parking spot with no problem. Now, he said Saturday, it’s not so easy.
“Today when you look around you will see many people from many backgrounds,” Nelson said.
“It’s like going down to the Stampede grounds.”
The community also used the breakfast to unveil a travelling exhibit on the Aga Khan Trust for Culture’s Historic Cities Programme, which promotes the conservation and restoration of buildings and public spaces in historic cities of the Muslim world.
This is the last stop on its Canadian tour and the line to get in to see the display snaked around the building.
Also on Saturday, Chinook Centre general manager Terry Napper hailed his organization’s breakfast a success, despite major construction at the mall.
He said there were even some extra parking spaces left open as many people chose to take public transit.
Napper said volunteers fed as many as 50,000. “It went really smooth,” he said.
Saturday saw the winners of the first-ever Calgary Stampede Full House contest have their pancake breakfast prepared by Stampede chefs.
Stampede officials said Tarnia and Derek Wallace invited neighbours, family and friends – some from as far away as Ottawa – for a pancake breakfast in their backyard.
Related Posts:
Photographs
Keeping the Faith – Ismaili Muslims host Historic Cities exhibit
July 5, 2008 2 Comments
Personal photos from the Ismaili Muslim Community of Calgary’s 2008 Stampede Breakfast, held on the grounds of the Calgary Ismaili Jamat Khana and Centre.
This year’s Stampede Breakfast as well as the Ismaili Community Float in the Calgary Stampede Parade were dedicated to the partnership between the community, the Calgary Health Region, the UCalgary Faculty of Medicine, and the United Way of Calgary, in implementing the annual Women and Wellness Conference (www.womenandwellness.ca). Additionally, the Stampede Breakfast coincided with the Calgary launch of the AKTC Historic Cities Programme Exhibition (www.akdn.org/agency/aktc_hcsp.html).
Calgary Ismaili Muslim Stampede Breakfast 2008 - A representative contingent of the Ismaili Volunteer Corps, being led in by Major Saheb Farid Kassam (right edge of the picture).
July 5, 2008 1 Comment
Calgary – The Calgary Stampede is pleased to announce this year’s Stampede Parade trophy winners. A volunteer group of judges and panel of celebrities judged the entries and presented the recipients with their award at a ceremony held at Fort Calgary prior to the start of the parade this morning.
The Ismaili women’s float won Best Cultural Float
Related – Calgary Sun – CTV.ca
June 18, 2008 Leave a comment
You are invited to join us in building a common future founded on trust and understanding. Let’s make Calgary a city that shines with hope for future generations.
Come to an evening of hospitality hosted by members of the Muslim and Christian communities in Calgary in conjunction with Initiatives of Change – where we hope to bring the lens through which we view each other into focus with the help of the film:
The Imam & the Pastor.
Sunday June 22, 2008
4 pm to 6 pm
South Calgary Community Association
3130 16 Street SW
Free Admission
April 1, 2008 Leave a comment
Bridges That Unite – A National Exhibition Exploring Canada’s Global Leadership Role
Building Global Citizens will explore how Canada can ensure its citizens are instilled with the knowledge, values, and skills required to succeed and contribute effectively in a globalized environment. Canadian universities and colleges, the private sector, government and civil society organizations all play an important role in promoting global citizens. How do we improve opportunities for collaboration and learning across sectors and institutions? Does Canada have unique national assets and experiences upon which we can draw?
The Nickle Arts Museum University of Calgary campus
April 1-13, 2008 Open 10am to 5pm Thursdays until 9pm
February 13, 2008 Leave a comment
By Veronica Hoskins
If you could go anywhere in the world to do something you love, what would it be? Would you live with an indigenous family in Mexico? Join in the fight against HIV/AIDS? Or add a little “green” to our world by building a solar home? Ambitious? Definitely. You can find students, faculty, researchers and alumni from the University of Calgary doing this and more in every nook and cranny across the globe. Travel with the U of C family as we go from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe to learn, help, explore, teach and make footprints in the paths of our future generations.
EAST AFRICA
In partnership with the Aga Khan University, education professor Charlie Webber is working with the Institute of Educational Development—East Africa to improve the quality of education in East Africa by developing course materials and research on educational leadership and management. Faculty in East Africa have full access to the U of C’s online library, which Webber says “is the first step in creating the critical masses needed to help change and improve their education systems.”
UGANDA
The Improving Nursing Education and Practices in East Africa initiative recently received a multimillion-dollar grant from the European Commission to implement actions from a pilot project. Aliyah Mawli, BN’01, and current member of the Faculty of Nursing, was part of this project through her work with the Aga Kahn Foundation in Uganda. Working with local universities and hospitals, the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization, she helped develop solutions to upgrade academic and faculty programs and build capacity to improve health care delivery.
February 2, 2008 Leave a comment
Robert Remington
Calgary Herald
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Gray, who has been raising money for various causes for more than 30 years, thought it would take him six months, perhaps a year at most, to the raise the $5 million he’s vowed to deliver to the Aga Khan University for its new Institute for Educational Development, Eastern Africa (AKU-IED).
January 19, 2008 3 Comments
An excellent, heart warming story from Calgary Herald.
Few experiences can bring you closer to God than trudging through a pitch-black night in the rarified air of Africa’s highest peak.
Almoonir Dewji, vice-president of Calgary management consultant firm Callow and Associates, said summiting Mount Kilimanjaro near sunrise on Jan. 2 capped a profound spiritual journey.
“It’s a very meditative exercise, putting one foot forward, heel-to-toe, in the darkness,” Dewji recalls. “It forces you to slow down and think. It’s so quiet, sometimes all you can hear is your breathing and your heartbeat.”
Dewji, 45, is an Ismaili Muslim who is active in a Calgary Muslim-Christian dialogue group. He found plenty of time for prayer as he wound his way to the 5,895-metre Uhuru Peak summit of Kilimanjaro.
“I thought about God’s grace in my life. I went through a lot of reflection on the generosity of the human spirit and on the imperative of giving back,” says Dewji.
In the final hours of the ascent, Dewji suffered dehydration, pounding headaches and complications from his asthma and seriously considered turning back. But he was determined to wave the Flames’ car flag his wife Nimira had given him to take to the top of the inactive volcano.
“Nimira’s image in my mind got me through the final hour or two. I don’t think I’ve ever felt a stronger bond with her,” he says.
Dewji was part of a 37-member group of Canadians, including eight from southern Alberta, who tackled Kilimanjaro to raise money for Save the Children Canada HIV/AIDS programs in Kenya. Dewji credits selfless help from team members and even an Australian stranger from another climbing party, who gave him energy bars at a critical point, for getting him to the top.
Dewji was able to raise $15,000 to support Save the Children projects. He says he was humbled by the outpouring of both donations and prayers from Calgarians who heard about his climb.
He added one of the trip’s most profound moments came when the 37 Canadians were able to deliver clothing and school supplies to children at a Tanzanian orphanage and even to youngsters they met on the roads.
“I was the recipient of such generosity during my climb, and it drove home to me the importance of giving back, of the Bible’s instruction — to whom much has been given, much is expected,” he says.
The trek to Kilimanjaro was the first time Dewji had been in Tanzania, his birth country, in 32 years. Dewji hopes to return to Africa in the future and explore other avenues for humanitarian involvement.
Dewji says a phrase from the Sufi Muslim tradition best captures the humanitarian lessons he learned from his African experience: Past the suffering walked he who asks, “Why oh God, do you not do something for these people?” To which God replied, “I did do something, I made you.”
December 27, 2007 Leave a comment
Daryl Slade
Calgary Herald
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Calgary lawyer Rahim Moloo has devised a plan to help young adult homeless people who can’t afford post-secondary education to get a foot in the school’s door and, as he says, “hone their critical thinking skills.”
Moloo’s proposed class for the homeless — free and for credit — is part of his platform of providing access to post-secondary education as a contestant on CBC’s annual program, Canada’s Next Great Prime Minister.
He recently held a seminar at the downtown EXIT Community Outreach Centre for young adults under 25 to help identify potential students for the anticipated first class next spring.
“We talked to them about the benefits of pursuing an education,” said Moloo, who works as international investment arbitrator at Burnet Duckworth & Palmer. “We met with a couple of them who showed interest in continuing their education and talked about the opportunities available.”
Moloo said he has the backing of Robin Fisher, Mount Royal’s provost and vice-president of academic, to go ahead with the planned class.
Neither Fisher, nor a college spokesman could be reached Tuesday.
Moloo said it is patterned after a similar groundbreaking program at University of British Columbia in 1999, called Humanities 101.
“They did a followup a few years later and found out that a couple of them were now actually full-time, degree-seeking students,” said Moloo.
Josh Yardley, 21, who has been living at a homeless shelter since moving from Toronto, said he’s all for the idea.
“I’m sure in this city it’s more a battle of whether you have enough money than if you’re smart enough. This gives everybody a chance. . . . I would do it,” Yardley said, after enjoying a free turkey dinner at the Mustard Seed Ministry on Sunday.
Moloo said one of the people he spoke to at the EXIT seminar was a former post-secondary student who couldn’t afford to continue and now wants to get back in the education system, with a little help from some supportive friends.
“A lot of them don’t know where to go,” said Moloo. “The big thing is not just providing them with resources, but Mount Royal will go farther. They’ll provide the direct access. We’ll try to get 25 homeless students interested . . . and they’ll take it from there.”
December 12, 2007 Leave a comment
Almoonir Dewji is an Ismaili Muslim involved in numerous interfaith initiatives. He is currently the co-chair of the Muslim-Christian Dialogue Group of Calgary and on the executive committee of the Inter-Faith Network of Calgary.
A fews days ago I was asked to facilitate a meeting of Jewish, Christian and Muslim students from University of Calgary. These students belong to a newly formed club called ‘The Palestinian Israeli Mediation and Peace Students Association’ (PIMPSA).
Their objective is to review what has historically transpired in that region as well as provide a platform for Arabs and Israelis to discuss current (e.g. Annapolis Conference, etc.) and future events/initiatives.
November 23, 2007 1 Comment
On November 21, YMCA Calgary honoured local peacemakers at the 16th annual Peace Medals Luncheon.
Naheed Jivraj
Though just 17 years old, Naheed has already introduced the wonders of technology to people in our city and around the world. Naheed is involved with the initiatives Bringing Technology to the Goharabad in Pakistan and Developing Technical Skills in Mombasa, Kenya. Over the past two summers, he has worked in both countries, teaching computers to local people so that they can access information and communicate with others around the world to build relationships and share their experiences. Last year, Naheed and other youth he recruited also began helping seniors at the Beverly Centre use email and computers to communicate with their families. Naheed’s work is rooted in a belief in empowering local and international communities through education and communication. Naheed says of his efforts, “When we work together or when we put our best foot forward, and do it expecting nothing in return, then I think we can always get closer to peace and closer to harmony.”
Almoonir Dewji
…For raising awareness and helping victims of abuse, poverty, mental illness, and violence.
Karim-Aly Kassam
…For his contributions to several global and national development projects and his efforts with projects that build sustainable communities.
November 1, 2007 Leave a comment
Founder seeks to nurture ‘religious pluralists’
Graeme Morton, Calgary Herald
Published: Saturday, October 27, 2007
Afroza Nanji thinks an interfaith council of young Calgarians dedicated to sharing their spirituality and serving their city in practical ways is an idea whose time has come.
The city dentist sold her practice in March to pour her heart and soul into founding the IDEA (Interfaith Dialogue, Education and Action) Youth Initiative.
While the project is still in its early stages, Nanji hopes IDEA will eventually take root in cities across Canada.
She says the Calgary project draws from a successful model that’s been operating in Chicago for a decade.
“We have a number of avenues for interfaith dialogue between adults in Calgary, but I sensed there was a gap that needed to be addressed for those at the high school and university-age level,” says Nanji, a Muslim.
Twelve young people — two each from Calgary’s Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Baha’i, Sikh and Hindu communities — have been meeting every two weeks since mid-September to share the traditions of their faith, get to know each other and plan social action projects.
More at Calgary Herald
October 20, 2007 1 Comment
Elluminate, Inc.
How do two guys, one born in Mbale, Uganda, the other in Sackville, New Brunswick, build a company that becomes a finalist for an Alberta science and technology award? That’s the story of Nashir Samanani and Mike Mabey, who started working together in the 1980s at the Advanced Computing Technology Centre (ACTC), an offshoot of the University of Calgary.
Click below two pages for complete story.
 Raheem Dilgir's song for the Partnership Walk |
 Toronto Mayor calls “World Partnership Walk Day” |
 Partnership Walk raises $2 million |
 Photos: World Partnership Walk |
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