Showing posts with label Ismaili centre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ismaili centre. Show all posts
Nov 15, 2011
Musical conversation across cultures enthrals audience at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai
Aug 6, 2011
May 27, 2010
Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Canada to lay foundation of Ismaili Centre, museum and park
Ottawa, 26 May 2010 — Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Ottawa this afternoon, marking the start of a two-day visit to Canada during which he will participate in the Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, the first-ever Aga Khan Museum for Islamic Art and Culture, and the park where they will be situated in Toronto’s Don Mills neighbourhood.
MOre @ >>>> http://www.theismaili.org/cms/1006/Mawlana-Hazar-Imam-arrives-in-Canada-to-lay-foundation-of-Ismaili-Centre-museum-and-park
Apr 23, 2010
The theatre at Cromwell Gardens: A history of the site of the Ismaili Centre, London
More @ >>> http://www.theismaili.org/cms/988/spinner
.......................
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
.........................
Oct 23, 2009
Live Event: Adrienne Clarkson speaks at the Ismaili Centre, London
The Ismaili Centre, London and the Canadian High Commission are pleased to present a lecture by The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, former Governor General of Canada, titled Needing Each Other: Human Beings and the Challenge of the Environment.
The talk began shortly after 8:30 PM BST (London time) on Wednesday, 21 October 2009 and was simultaneously available via live webcast. It has now concluded.
As Canada’s 26th Governor General, Adrienne Clarkson transformed and revitalised the office through her energy and passion for Canada. Now a best-selling author and Co-chair of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, her personal trajectory from WWII refugee — arriving from Hong Kong at the age of three — through her trailblazing career as a CBC broadcaster, author, publisher, and diplomat, to holding the highest office in the land, is an inspiration to millions of Canadians.
In an age when the overwhelming message of individualism distorts our vision, Clarkson asserts that we must come to terms with the network of ideas and actions which will help us to enhance our common humanity. Her talk will focus on Canada’s experience of evolving into a welcoming, pluralistic, post-modern society in the 21st Century, and how it can inform the creation of a new global citizenry based on openness, generosity, and mutual respect and well-being.
http://www.theismaili.org/live
.........................
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
.........................
Oct 20, 2009
Gallery: Architecture of the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe
.........................
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
.........................
Oct 15, 2009
Contruction of the Ismaili Centre,Dushanbe
.........................
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
.........................
Oct 13, 2009
Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe
Speech by Mawlana Hazar Imam
At the Opening Ceremony of
The Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe
Monday, 12 October 2009
Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim
Your Excellency President Rahmon,
Your Worship the Mayor of Dushanbe,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
It is a great honour for me to welcome you to this inauguration ceremony. I am deeply pleased to greet President Rahmon, who was here when together we laid the Foundation Stone for this building five years ago, and who has long been a steadfast supporter of the Centre project. The same thing is true of the Civic Authorities of Dushanbe, and we are also honoured to welcome His Worship, Mayor Ubaidullaev.
It is also a distinct pleasure to look out upon this audience and to greet so many other leaders, from so many walks of society. Your very presence here invests this occasion with special meaning, for you truly represent the broad diversity of this country — and your participation attests to the importance of pluralism in Tajik life.
We have looked forward to this event for a long time. And now that this day of dedication has come, let me also extend our warmest gratitude to everyone whose contributions have made this vision a reality. We salute those who have donated their time and talent and material resources to this project, including those who designed, constructed and decorated this building and its surroundings. You have created a remarkable building that will enhance the cityscape of Dushanbe, just as it reflects and re-interprets the materials and colours and inspiring landscapes of other iconic buildings of the larger region.
The Tajik Ismaili community has roots in this region that extend back more than a thousand years, as long ago as the second century of Islam. The community holds a recognised and admired position in the history of human endeavour here, contributing some of the greatest names in the fields of theology, philosophy, poetry and the sciences. This new Centre will be a place for looking back on that rich and powerful history in grateful and solemn remembrance. It will be a place, as well, for peaceful contemplation of the spirit, and of the world, as we live our lives in the present moment. And it will be a place to think about the future and how this profound heritage can shape and inform tomorrow’s world. This Centre aspires to give physical form and spiritual space for pursuing all of these objectives.
As we look around us today, we are reminded of other times down through history when a variety of cultures and traditions have come together happily in this land. It is inspiring to remember how enriching encounters of ideas and viewpoints have so often prevailed against opposing forces of ignorance and prejudice. The remarkable flowering of human talent here has owed much to the pluralism of Tajik society. I am proud, in noting just one reflection of that tradition, that this Centre is located in a neighbourhood that celebrates the great names of Ismoili Somoni and Rudaki.
The continuing pluralism of human endeavour will be manifested in the life of this Centre. It will be reflected in an array of exciting activities, serving people of many different backgrounds. The Centre will have a space for congregational gathering, just like the array of Ismaili Centres in major cities across the world, both those which are now being developed and those that already exist, from London to Vancouver and Lisbon to Dubai. In addition, we hope and trust that people of all faiths and background will gather here for educational and cultural events — for seminars, lectures, recitals and exhibitions. We will seek to demonstrate that spiritual insight and worldly knowledge are not separate or opposing realms, but that they must always nourish one another, and that the world of faith and the material world are the dual responsibilities of humankind.
In recent years, the people and the leaders of this region have been called upon to manage a sometimes turbulent transition, from a time of seeming certainties to a still unfolding era of open horizons and changing opportunities. The Holy Qur’an calls upon Muslims to compete in good works, and just as the Ismailis have done for centuries in this lovely land, we will uphold that responsibility in service to the Tajikistan of today and tomorrow.
One of the beauties of ceremonies like this one is that they link us to people in other places — and to people of other ages. I remember, to mention just one example, how the 1000th anniversary of the birth of Syedna Nasir-i-Khusraw coincided with our foundation stone ceremony five years ago. It is a tribute to Tajik culture that the legacy of such figures, even from the distant past, is held in such high esteem, promoting a strong sense of history and a strong spirit of social harmony.
This ethic of connectivity with others has deep spiritual roots — in Islam as for other faiths. It stems ultimately from humankind’s sense of humility in the presence of the Divine. In this light, human diversity itself is seen as a gift of Allah, cultural differences are embraced as a blessing, and different interpretations of faith are seen as a mercy, one that nourishes the Ummah’s vast identity, and its constructive interface with society at large.
In this spirit, it is our prayer that the Centre will always radiate an inviting mood of friendship to one and all, proclaiming Islam’s message of one humanity, and joining its voice with so many other voices in this city and this country in affirming our shared responsibility for advancing the common good.
Thank you.
Source:theismaili.org
.........................
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
.........................
Oct 8, 2009
Ismaili Centre Images ..
.........................
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
.........................
About the Ismaili Centres-- Theismaili.org
“For many centuries, a prominent feature of the Muslim religious landscape has been the variety of spaces of gathering co-existing harmoniously with the masjid, which in itself has accommodated a range of diverse institutional spaces for educational, social and reflective purposes. Historically serving communities of different interpretations and spiritual affiliations, these spaces have retained their cultural nomenclatures and characteristics, from ribat and zawiyya to khanaqa and jamatkhana. The congregational space incorporated within the Ismaili Centre belongs to the historic category of jamatkhana, an institutional category that also serves a number of sister Sunni and Shia communities, in their respective contexts, in many parts of the world. Here, it will be space reserved for traditions and practices specific to the Shia Ismaili tariqah of Islam.”
— Mawlana Hazar Imam, at the Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, Dubai, 13 December 2003.
As articulated by Mawlana Hazar Imam at the Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, Dubai, the Ismaili Centres belong to the historic category of jamatkhana. They are symbolic markers of the permanent presence of the Ismaili community in the regions in which they are established. Architecturally unique, each building incorporates spaces for social and cultural gatherings, intellectual engagement and reflection, as well as spiritual contemplation. They serve as ambassadorial hubs, representing the Ismaili community’s attitude towards the Muslim faith and modern life, while extending a hand of friendship and understanding to enhance relationships among faith communities, government and civil society.
Through their design and function, the Ismaili Centres reflect a mood of humility, forward outlook, friendship and dialogue. They facilitate the promotion of cultural, educational and social programmes from the broadest, non-denominational perspectives within the ethical framework of Islam. A central purpose of the Ismaili Centres is to encourage mutual exchanges and understanding between diverse peoples, communities and faiths. The Centres are, therefore, not only places for spiritual search, but also spaces for broadening intellectual horizons and fostering an appreciation of pluralism.
In 1979, the foundation stone was laid for the first Ismaili Centre, in the South Kensington area of London. This high-profile building was opened by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Mawlana Hazar Imam in April 1985 — a historic event which marked a new phase of the Ismaili presence in Europe. Several months later, in August, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney joined Mawlana Hazar Imam to open the second Ismaili Centre in Burnaby, Canada, an area where Ismailis had first settled in the country more than a decade earlier.
In 1998, the third Ismaili Centre was opened in Lisbon. The Muslim heritage of Portugal made it appropriate for the Centro Ismaili to draw inspiration from many influences, including the distant but familiar heritage of Moorish architectural forms. In particular, the interplay and combination of outdoor and indoor spaces give the building a unique aesthetic feel, reflecting the local context as well as aspects of Islam’s architectural heritage.
The Ismaili Centre, Dubai was opened in March 2008, during Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee, which commemorated 50 years since his accession as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. The Centre is comparable in scope and architectural standing to its predecessors in London, Burnaby and Lisbon. Built on land donated by the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Ismaili Centre unites in its construction and décor the experiences and aesthetics of the past with the materials of the present, in order to meet the needs and objectives of the future.
The Foundation Ceremony for the Ismaili Centre in Dushanbe, Tajikistan was held in August 2003, and the Centre’s opening is imminent. Two other Ismaili Centres, in various stages of development, are currently being established in Toronto and Houston.
Conceived in the ethic of respect for human dignity, the Ismaili Centres seek to empathise with, and to expand our intellectual, cultural and moral horizons. They are each a safeguard and a symbol of the core values of the Ismaili Muslim community.
http://www.theismaili.org/cms/802/About-the-Ismaili-Centres
.........................
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
.........................
Sep 30, 2009
Patron of the Olympic Truce, the Governor General of Canada speaks with young British Columbians at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, addresses the audience at the Truce Dialogue for youth held at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby. Photo: Aziz Ladha
“The Olympic Truce tradition gives us an opportunity to really think about what peace really means,” noted the Governor General. “It allows us to reflect on our roles as ambassadors of peace and solidarity.”
The Olympic Truce is a traditional part of the Olympic Games. It promotes the Olympic ideals of peace, friendship and international understanding. The Truce calls for a cessation of all hostilities during the Olympic Games and beyond, and is customarily accompanied by a United Nations Resolution to that effect.
More @ >>>> http://www.theismaili.org/cms/840/spinner
.........................
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
.........................
May 1, 2009
Exhibition by UAE Royal Photographer inaugurated at the Ismaili Centre Dubai
One year after its inauguration, the Ismaili Centre Dubai is hosting the first in a series of important cultural events. Reminiscing Heritage is a photographic exhibition that provides a rare glimpse through the lens of Noor Ali Rashid, the acclaimed Royal Photographer of the United Arab Emirates.
More@ http://www.theismaili.org/cms/702/
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
Mar 30, 2009
A changing climate: Exploring the social impact of global warming
On Wednesday, 18 February, guests at the Ismaili Centre Lecture Series in London found themselves captivated by the vibrant panel discussion taking place before them. The “hot” topic was global warming, and its impact on the developing world. The audience quickly discovered it to be an issue that offers no easy answers.
The panel was chaired by Dan Smith of International Alert, a London-based international peace-building organisation. He was joined by Camilla Toulmin of the International Institute for Environment and Development, an independent think-tank, and Lord Adair Turner, Chairman of both the United Kingdom Government's Committee on Climate Change and the country’s independent Financial Services Authority. Dr Salim Sumar, Executive Officer of Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) Europe, completed the panel.
More @ www.theismaili.org
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
Sep 26, 2007
Ismaili Centre London participates in Fete de la Musique
Ismaili Centre London participates in Fete de la Musique
The Social Hall at The Ismaili Centre in London, was filled with people of all ages eager to hear the spectacular fusion of sounds from an incredible mix of western and eastern instruments on 21 June 2007, as part of the Exhibition Road Music Day festivities.
Exhibition Road Music Day is London's annual free festival of live music which coincides with the Fete de la Musique celebrations across Europe and other cities around the world. This year, over 70 exhilarating performances by both professional and amateur musicians brought Exhibition Road alive, showcasing an incredible range of sounds and styles all celebrating the diversity of musical culture in Europe.
Musical exploration and collaboration
Nine venues in London were chosen to host the Fete de la Musique festivities this year. As one of the chosen venues, the Ismaili Centre London showcased a series of compositions by the ensemble MAQAM, with each performance exhibiting a different fusion of cultural expressions and musical instruments. The performances at the Ismaili Centre culminated with a collaborative piece between MAQAM, renowned drummer Khaled Hakim, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – an awe-inspiring synthesis of artist, instrument and sound.
In addition to the performances, three workshops were conducted at the Ismaili Centre during the day, allowing school groups to experience Middle Eastern culture and music. The interactive classes, taught by musician and teacher Khaled Hakim, encouraged children to work as a team to create vibrant drum rhythms which they then performed accompanied by an assortment of Middle Eastern instruments.
Other locations across London hosted similarly compelling workshops and performances. The Natural History Museum, across the street from the Ismaili Centre, showcased the samba (Brazilian dance music), blues and rock, while other local institutions such as the Goethe-Institut and Imperial College London hosted everything from choirs to klezmer (a Yiddish musical tradition). School groups and visitors from across Europe joined in various musical workshops and enjoyed the performances around the various locations.
A commitment to culture and diversity
Music is a fundamental expression of any human culture. Farnoosh Behzad, MAQAM’s composer and conductor who is originally from Iran, believes that music is “about achieving unity – people and instruments of all shapes and sizes can fit.” This expression of unity through diversity – a central part of the Islamic ethic of pluralism – was reflected in Mohammed Assani's musical performances at the Ismaili Centre on Exhibition Road Music Day: his improvisation with the tabla (hand drum) seamlessly fused with other instruments from around the world that he accompanied.
The Exhibition Road Music Day perfectly reflected the esprit of the Fete de la Musique: the festival used music to bring together people from various backgrounds in a celebration of cultural expression. Whatever your musical taste, the performances at the Ismaili Centre and other venues in London and across Europe, opened your ears to a world of sounds.
Ismailiworld - Be Unite
ismailiworld@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
