The Shia Imami Nizari Ismaili Muslims, History, Latest Video, News and Downloads

OLYMPIC FLAME SPARKS FOOD DRIVE

24 December 2009

Residents of the Don Mills community came together today to actively support the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

Olympic Torch-Bearer Mr. Mohamed Manji, President of the Ismaili Council for Canada, is shown with the Golden Jubilee Athletes as he completes his segment of the Torch Relay. The athletes, who had taken part in international games in Nairobi, Kenya, in June 2008, remarked that seeing the Olympic Torch brought back their many memories of the Games, which resonated with them as both Games were about the pursuit of excellence and unity amongst peoples.

Through this unique and historic moment in celebrating sport and the Olympic Spirit, the Flemingdon Food Bank, in partnership with the Ismaili Muslim community, invited Don Mills community residents to participate in a food drive to give back those who are less fortunate in our communities. The spirit of giving, caring and sharing during this holiday season is a very Canadian value and is deeply aligned with the Olympic spirit.

Firoz Rasul

Firoz Rasul was flying with the Aga Khan on his private plane to Vancouver in 2005, when the spiritual leader of the world’s Ismaili Muslims made a pitch to him about a new job in Pakistan.

Mr. Rasul, who had retired two years earlier as chief executive officer of fuel-cell developer Ballard Power Systems Inc. and was heading the Canadian association for the Muslim sect, was stunned by his offer to become president of Aga Khan University.

“I was shocked, flattered … and terrified,” recalls the 57-year-old, who agreed to take on the job. “It’s a massive role. You are talking about a university in the developing world – in countries that are highly volatile and fragile. We are in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kenya and Syria [among others].”

But these countries need universities to develop leaders capable of improving education and health care, battling corruption and increasing social cohesion, he said.

Speech by His Highness The Aga Khan Cour des Comptes On Acceptance of the 2009

Speech by His Highness The Aga Khan Cour des Comptes On Acceptance of the 2009 Nouvel Economiste Philanthropic Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Award (Cour des comptes - Court of Accounts, Palais Cambon

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

The First President,
Minister,
Your Excellencies,
Your Excellency, the Rector,
Commissioner for diversity and equal opportunities,
Distinguished representatives of the President’s office, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior and Paris Town Hall,
Distinguished guests,
Chairman of the Board of M6,
Editor in Chief and Associate Director of the Nouvel Economiste,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I shall begin by saying how honoured I am to be given the Nouvel Economiste Philanthropic Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Award in this splendid setting, the Palais Cambon.

I particularly wish to thank Madame Tchakaloff, for her very kind words, as well as the entire editorial team under the leadership of Monsieur Nijdam, for having singled me out. I would also like to thank the sponsor of this ceremony, and here, I turn to you, Mr First President, our gracious host. And of course I also wish to greet the Finance Minister, who is on a trip to Lebanon and Syria and sends us warm greetings through Madame Cotta. Thank you.

Exclusive: The Aga Khan, Women and Development: The Path of Education

Rahim Kanani
Research Associate, Hauser Center for Nonprofits, Harvard University
December 21, 2009

"I believe the message of Islam is the dignity with which we must treat women in society...and I think it is correct that education dignifies women," His Highness Karim Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world's Shia Ismaili Muslims, explained to a BBC reporter at the turn of the century. Like his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah, who was once President of the League of Nations, the Aga Khan has been an ardent supporter of educating women in the developing world for decades. Recently celebrating his 73rd birthday, the 49th hereditary Imam and direct descendent of the Prophet Muhammad is still tireless in his effort, pragmatic in his approach, and strategic in his vision. As a religious leader, his moral obligation, rooted in the principles of Islam, holds him to both interpret the faith and improve the quality of life within the communities and societies in which his followers live. In his dual role, the Aga Khan is also founder and Chairman of one of the largest private development networks in the world, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), active in over 25 countries and employing over 70,000 people.

In an interview with Dr. Tom Kessinger, head of the Aga Khan Foundation and Deputy Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, he asserts that "mothers are the primary nurturers of the family, and our experience and data shows that the more education women have the more successfully they play that role." Furthermore, he notes, "the daughter of a literate mother is more likely to finish school than the daughter of an illiterate mother." Education, therefore, has been a strong pillar of the Aga Khan's development efforts around the world. By targeting critical professions that tend to be highly populated amongst women such as nursing, midwifery, and pre-collegiate education, AKDN's strategic investment in the education of women also results in the delivery of essential public goods.

The Aga Khan receives Prix de l Entrepreneur philanthropique de l annee 2009

17 December 2009
Paris

Mawlana Hazar Imam received the Prix de l’Entrepreneur philanthropique de l’annÃ©e 2009 (2009 Philanthropic Entrepreneur of the Year Award) presented to him by Le Nouvel Economiste, at a ceremony held at the Cour des Comptes in Paris.

In receiving the award, Mawlana Hazar Imam — who was accompanied at the award ceremony by Prince Amyn, Princess Zahra and Prince Hussain — explained the work of the Aga Khan Development Network and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development in particular. Other award recipients included Dalil Boubakeur, Rector of the Muslim Institute at the Grand Mosque of Paris, who received the RÃ©gulateur de l’annÃ©e award, and de Nicolas Travenost, Chairman of the Board of the French Television network M6, who received Manager de l’annÃ©e.

Khunjerav to Karachi peace walk conclude at Mazar-e-Qaid Karachi

Khunjerav to Karachi peace walk conclude at Mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Karachi here on Sunday. The walk started on October 4 from Khunjerav pass (Pak-China border) and complete in 77 days. The have walked 2600Km in 560 hours.

Sindh government, people of Gilgit-Baltistan, different organizations and other supporters of Khunjerav to Karachi peace walk host warm reception for the two young peace participant, Ejaz Ali Rumi and Asghar Ali Rumi at Mazar-e-Qaid with large media coverage.. Deputy Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, Shehla Raza, Adviser CM Waqaer Medhi, Rashid Rabani, President District center Sardar Alam and Nazir Gojali information Secretary PS 177 were present at the occasion to receive the two young. The activists of peace Ejaz ali Rumi and Asghar Ali Rumi along with deputy speaker Shehla Raza laid floral wreath at Quaid grave and offered Fatiha.

Speaking to media Shehla Said “I pay tribute to the effort of Ejaz Rumi and Asghar Rumi. These two young have shown that people of the nation are peace lover and want peace in the country, by walking for peace from Gilgit to Karachi.” The youth has devoted their present for peace and soon the peace of the country will be restored She added.

Senior Students Work Together with Junior Students to Promote Reading

19 December 2009

On Tuesday, November 24th, 2009, 13 Diploma students and 25 Junior School students participated in a Fun Reading Day at Ng’ombeni Primary School in Kwale. Under the leadership of Diana Maina, (a 2009 AKA, M graduate), Omar Mwangari, and Sara Sadiq, (current Diploma 2 students), a whole school Book Drive, the creation of storybooks by junior school students, and donations from local businesses, were organized to support the Fun Reading Day. In total, over 170 books were donated to establish the school’s first library that will cater to Ng’ombeni’s lower primary classes, which are over enrolled and in one case have students learning outside under a tree.

But the day was not only about establishing a much needed library. It was also meant to promote the importance of early grade reading and the enjoyment that reading can bring to students lives, both academically and personally. As well as to be a day for primary and Junior School students from diverse backgrounds to learn from and about each other.

Aga Khan Foundation Canada:

2010-2011 International Development Fellowship Program

Aga Khan Foundation Canada is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for the 2010-2011 International Development Fellowship Program.

This nine-month program provides unparalleled opportunities for young professionals to apply their skills and share their expertise with development organizations in Asia and Africa while broadening their understanding of international development.

For more information or to download the application form, please visit AKFC's website at www.akfc.ca. The deadline for application is February 1, 2010.

FOCUS recognised for its disaster response and relief efforts

FOCUS recognised for its disaster response and relief efforts in the wake of hurricanes

At a Gala Dinner on 9 October, the South Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC) of Houston, Texas honoured Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) with the 2009 Outstanding Community Organization Award for their disaster response and relief efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav, Rita and Ike that affected the Southern United States.

Founded in 1993, the SACC is a non-profit organisation representing South Asian Americans, whose mission is to provide leadership that helps create regional economic prosperity and success for its members.

Focus Humanitarian Assistance is an international disaster planning, risk management and crisis response agency. Its planning function includes training, stockpiling and expertise in times of crises. During a crisis, whether natural or man-made, it provides emergency relief to all communities in its areas of operation.

“The reason Focus Humanitarian Assistance was chosen for the Outstanding Community Organization Award was because it’s doing impressive humanitarian work for the community at large, not only in the US, but globally, ” said SACC President Mustafa Tameez.

Minister Kenney extends birthday wishes to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan

Ottawa, December 11, 2009

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement on the birthday this coming Sunday of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan:

“I would like to extend warm birthday wishes to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan.

“The Aga Khan has now been the spiritual leader of the Shia Nizari Ismaili Muslims for more than half a century. During that time he has exerted a profound influence both within and far beyond his community, and has become an extraordinary example of compassion and tolerance.

“This is most evident in the Aga Khan Development Network, which he founded and now chairs, and which works towards social, economic, and cultural development in Asia and Africa.