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
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.
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
Calgary, Canada – Tuesday November 25, 2008
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Alykhan Lalani - Vice-president and partner Colliers International
Munir Jivraj - Oilsands royalty planning manager Suncor Energy Inc.
Alim Mitha - Chief neurosurgery resident Foothills Hospital
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
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
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).
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
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
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
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.
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).
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.”
