Mubarak! We are overjoyed at the prospect of Didaar in a few days. Alhamdulillah! The Jamaat is very fortunate to receive the news of this blessing and as we await the event, we are preparing ourselves for this momentous event in the life of an Ismaili.
We are very fortunate to be receiving the Didaar in our lifetimes. The Tajikistan and Central Asian Jamaat had to wait over 600 years for the physical Didaar of the Imam and when it happened, it was an electrically charged event for both the Imam and the Jamaat.
Al Muayyad, our famous Dai in Fatimid times, was finally able to pay his respects to the Imam after much resistance from the ministers and courtiers who would not allow any man of learning to see the Imam personally until they submitted to their dicates. After many tries, he was successful in receiving the Didaar. Describing this experience, he writes:
"I was taken near the place wherefrom I saw the bright Light of the Prophethood. My eyes were dazzled by the Light. I shed tears of joy and felt as if I was looking at the face of the Prophet of Allah and of the Commander of the Faithful, Hazrat Ali. I prostrated myself before the one who is the fittest person to bow to. I wanted to say something, but 1 was awe-struck... I tried to speak but my tongue refused to move. People asked me to say what I wished to say. I could say nothing. The Imam said, 'Leave him. Let his fear and awe subside.' After this, I rose. I took the holy hand of the Imam, placed it on my eyes and on my chest and then kissed it. I left the place with immense joy."
Al Muayyad was the teacher of Nasir Khusraw who converted to Ismailism by Al Muayyad's teachings. Nasir Khusraw's teachings were responsible for the immense love the Ismailis of Central Asia preserved in their lives for over 6 centuries. When Mowlana Hazar Imam gave Didaar in 1995, the Jamaat symbolically presented Nasir Khusraw's book "Wahj-i Deen," 'The Face of Faith' alluding to the verse in the Quran - "the Face of Allah is everywhere."
More @ http://www.amaana.org/imam/didaararticle.htm
Oct 26, 2008
IIS Announces PhD Scholarship Awards
Since 1997, the Institute of Ismaili Studies has awarded doctoral scholarships to suitable candidates whose work contributes to the academic mandate of the IIS. The three recipients of this year’s scholarships are Sultonbek Axsakolov, Shaftolu Gulamadov and Amier Saidulla.
Sultonbek Axsakolov (GPISH class of 2002) will join the Department of History at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, to work on Russian and Soviet studies on the Ismailis.
Amier Saidulla (GPISH class of 2003) will study the religious practices of the Tajik Ismailis in Xinjian province of China. He will join the Department of Social Anthropology of the Graduate School of Social and Political Studies, University of Edinburgh.
A partial scholarship has been offered to Shaftolu Gulamadov (GPISH class of 2007), who is also the recipient of this year’s prestigious Connaught Scholarship from Canada. Shaftolu will work on his thesis entitled “Ismaili tradition of Tajik Badakhshan” at the Department for the Study of Religion, University of Toronto.
In addition to the above, Mohammadreza Jalaeipour, who is based at the University of Oxford, received partial assistance towards completing his doctoral studies. He is currently working on his thesis entitled “Transformation of religiosity under religious politics in Shi‘i Iran since 1979”.
For more information on the Doctoral Scholarships offered by the IIS, previous recipients and application for the next year, please visit the Doctoral Scholarship Programme page of the website.
Sultonbek Axsakolov (GPISH class of 2002) will join the Department of History at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, to work on Russian and Soviet studies on the Ismailis.
Amier Saidulla (GPISH class of 2003) will study the religious practices of the Tajik Ismailis in Xinjian province of China. He will join the Department of Social Anthropology of the Graduate School of Social and Political Studies, University of Edinburgh.
A partial scholarship has been offered to Shaftolu Gulamadov (GPISH class of 2007), who is also the recipient of this year’s prestigious Connaught Scholarship from Canada. Shaftolu will work on his thesis entitled “Ismaili tradition of Tajik Badakhshan” at the Department for the Study of Religion, University of Toronto.
In addition to the above, Mohammadreza Jalaeipour, who is based at the University of Oxford, received partial assistance towards completing his doctoral studies. He is currently working on his thesis entitled “Transformation of religiosity under religious politics in Shi‘i Iran since 1979”.
For more information on the Doctoral Scholarships offered by the IIS, previous recipients and application for the next year, please visit the Doctoral Scholarship Programme page of the website.
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
ismailiworld@gmail.com
Muslim Spaces of Worship and Gathering
While the mosque is the site most often associated with Muslim expressions of piety, there are a range of spaces used by Muslim communities – Shi‘a and Sunni – for their worship and gathering. These range from the ashurkhana and zawiya to the khanqah and tekke. While some of these spaces are specific to particular Muslim communities, others are clustered geographically or are prominent amongst particular cultural groups. This gallery, based on fieldwork in nine countries, showcases the richness and diversity of the Muslim umma through the diversity of the spaces used for expressions of piety.
Geographical Distribution of Images
The Mosque
Spaces of Personal Retreat
Spaces to Commemorate the Martyrdom of Imam Husayn
The Cemevi
The Jamatkhana
The Mevlevihane
The Khanqah and Zawiya
More @ www.iis.ac.uk
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
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What's New on AKDN .org
SPOTLIGHT ON Education
Educational Excellence
In 2000, His Highness the Aga Khan initiated a programme for the establishment of an integrated network of schools, called Aga Khan Academies, dedicated to expanding access to education of an international standard of excellence in Africa and Asia. The first such school, the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, began operating in August of 2003... more
Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance Expands Operations in Madagascar - 15 September 2008
Aga Khan Inaugurates Aleppo Citadel Project - 28 August 2008
Aga Khan Development Network and Government of Syria Sign Agreements to Foster Social and Cultural Development - 26 August 2008
Aga Khan University Signs Agreement to Further Health and Education Development in Syria - 25 August 2008
Aga Khan Arrives in Syria on the Occasion of His Golden Jubilee - 24 August 2008
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
Educational Excellence
In 2000, His Highness the Aga Khan initiated a programme for the establishment of an integrated network of schools, called Aga Khan Academies, dedicated to expanding access to education of an international standard of excellence in Africa and Asia. The first such school, the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, began operating in August of 2003... more
Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance Expands Operations in Madagascar - 15 September 2008
Aga Khan Inaugurates Aleppo Citadel Project - 28 August 2008
Aga Khan Development Network and Government of Syria Sign Agreements to Foster Social and Cultural Development - 26 August 2008
Aga Khan University Signs Agreement to Further Health and Education Development in Syria - 25 August 2008
Aga Khan Arrives in Syria on the Occasion of His Golden Jubilee - 24 August 2008
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
Aga Khan Development Network in Tajikistan
Operating in Tajikistan since 1992, the AKDN works towards a vision of an economically dynamic, politically stable, intellectually vibrant, and culturally tolerant Tajikistan. The AKDN is present in all regions of the country and employs approximately 3,000 people through its operations and investments. For more information on AKDN activities in Tajikistan, click here.
The Ismaili Centre Dushanbe, expected to be completed in 2009, will seek to be a place for "contemplation, upliftment, and the search for spiritual enlightenment."
The Tem Bridge, opened in 2002, is one of four cross-border bridges connecting Afghanistan and Tajikistan constructed by the AKDN to improve linkages in the region.
Expected to be completed by the end of 2009, the Dushanbe Serena Hotel will create opportunities for economic development in Tajikistan.
The University of Central Asia campus in Khorog will offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programmes at an internationally recognized standard.
Ismaili Heritage
According to an article published by the Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS), the Tajik Ismailis constitute one of the largest and historically oldest concentrations of Ismaili communities in the world. The history of Islam in Central Asia has extended from the eighth century to the current post-soviet era. Contemporary Tajik Ismailis have participated not only in the change of the broader processes of politics and culture, but in the restoration of stability in conjunction with the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
Some further background on the history of the Tajik Ismailis can be found in this article by the IIS entitled the "Evolution of the Shi‘a Ismaili Tradition in Central Asia".
Further Reading
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
The Ismaili Centre Dushanbe, expected to be completed in 2009, will seek to be a place for "contemplation, upliftment, and the search for spiritual enlightenment."
The Tem Bridge, opened in 2002, is one of four cross-border bridges connecting Afghanistan and Tajikistan constructed by the AKDN to improve linkages in the region.
Expected to be completed by the end of 2009, the Dushanbe Serena Hotel will create opportunities for economic development in Tajikistan.
The University of Central Asia campus in Khorog will offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programmes at an internationally recognized standard.
Ismaili Heritage
According to an article published by the Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS), the Tajik Ismailis constitute one of the largest and historically oldest concentrations of Ismaili communities in the world. The history of Islam in Central Asia has extended from the eighth century to the current post-soviet era. Contemporary Tajik Ismailis have participated not only in the change of the broader processes of politics and culture, but in the restoration of stability in conjunction with the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
Some further background on the history of the Tajik Ismailis can be found in this article by the IIS entitled the "Evolution of the Shi‘a Ismaili Tradition in Central Asia".
Further Reading
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
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