Conversations, Interviews & Speeches
Professor Zayn Kassam, Director of The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) and Head of the Department of Academic Research and Publications speaks about her own involvement at the Institute, its dedication to the study of Islam, and its goals for the future.
Nurjehan Mawani is the former chair and CEO of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and her daughter, Her Excellency Aliya Mawani, is the Ambassador of Canada to the state of Kuwait. In a unique interview together, they share their professional journeys and discuss the importance of representation, equity, and inclusion.
In an exclusive interview for The Ismaili TV, Prince Hussain walks us through his captivating underwater photography exhibition, The Living Sea - Fragile Beauty. He speaks about the beauty and vulnerability of the oceans and also shares personal stories from his marine photography excursions.
Dr. Samantha Green, Afzal Sovani, Jon Lomow, and Rehana Rajabali discuss the impact of climate change as seen from the lens of health, agriculture, and infrastructure. This program was held on April 26, 2023, at the Ismaili Centre Toronto and was presented in partnership with the Aga Khan Museum and Aga Khan Park.
Dr. Gijs Walraven, Director for Health at AKDN, recounts the history of the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) and its work to improve healthcare in developing populations and explains how its principles are put into practice. "In Conversation" is a collection of hosted interviews produced especially for The Ismaili TV. AKD-045
In a special interview for The Ismaili TV, Michael Kocher, General Manager of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) speaks about the complex and multigenerational issues of poverty and lack of inclusivity. He shares examples of the work AKF is doing in 18 countries to improve the quality of life in an equitable and sustainable way. AKD-044
The year 2023 marks 40 years — over half the lifetime of Pakistan — since the Aga Khan University (AKU) was granted its charter. In an exclusive interview for The Ismaili TV, Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, AKU’s third president, describes the University’s history and vision, and his own involvement with the institution. AKD-043
Samina Baig is the first Pakistani woman to climb Mount Everest and the K2 summit in Pakistan. Samina comes from the small remote village of Shimshal in the Hunza region of Northern Pakistan and began climbing when she was just four years old. By age 23 she had climbed the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. TRA-008
Fairouz Nishanova, Director of the Aga Khan Music Programme and the Aga Khan Music Awards, recalls the origins of both the Programme and the Awards and assesses their impact. "In Conversation" is a collection of hosted interviews produced especially for The Ismaili TV. AKD-036
Alim Hirji grew up playing a variety of sports, but it was table tennis where he excelled. Alim rose through the ranks of the sport, achieving a top 15 ranking in the Senior Men’s category in England. Sport is still a major part of his life, as he continues to play abroad on weekends, winning numerous British League titles and even a National Championships medal. Join us to hear his story.
Pinky Lilani, CBE DL, is a motivational speaker, food expert, women's advocate, and author and publisher of Spice Magic. She is the founder and chair of several awards recognising influential women and leaders and the force behind the Women of the Future Programme, a portfolio of global events, projects, and networks that support women, celebrate their talent and success, and, in so doing, help to burst open the female leadership pipeline. She has won several awards for her work and was listed as one of the 100 most powerful women in the UK by BBC Radio 4 Women’s Hour.
Onno Ruhi, General Manager of the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, describes the organization's work to protect vulnerable communities from the effects of climate change. "In Conversation" is a collection of hosted interviews produced especially for The Ismaili TV. AKD-035
Farrokh Derakhshani, Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, reflects on how the Award, now in its 45th year, has changed attitudes to architecture. He also explains why the field of architecture has, for many decades, been a priority in Mawlana Hazar Imam’s work to improve quality of life. This is the second episode of the new film series “In Conversation,” a collection of hosted interviews produced especially for The Ismaili TV. AKD-034
In this first episode of the new film series "In Conversation," Luis Monreal, General Manager of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), discusses the agency’s work and Mawlana Hazar Imam’s aspirations for the role of arts and culture in our lives. "In Conversation" is a collection of hosted interviews produced especially for The Ismaili TV. AKD-033
Inspired by the University of Texas at Arlington’s Building Bridges workshop in 2021, amateur filmmaker Kelly Gray Bobino follows a young man’s journey into his Muslim heritage. The film was presented at the Plano Jamatkhana in Texas and is part of the Building Bridges Short Film Series.
Inspired by the University of Texas at Arlington’s Building Bridges workshop in 2021, amateur filmmaker Nadeem Haji explores how green spaces impact urban settings. The film was presented at the Plano Jamatkhana in Texas and is part of the Building Bridges Short Film Series.
Nadia Verjee, Chief of Staff to the CEO and Minister of State for International Cooperation was responsible for curating and developing the Expo 2020 Dubai's thematic programme with over 200 nations, organizations, and partners from around the world. Nadia’s story will resonate with you and empower you to follow your passion and pursue your goals fearlessly. TRA-007
Inspired by the University of Texas at Arlington’s Building Bridges workshop in 2021, amateur filmmaker Neelam Hussain explores how values play a role in physical spaces. The film was presented at the Plano Jamatkhana in Texas and is part of the Building Bridges Short Film Series.
In an exclusive interview for The Ismaili TV, Prince Amyn shares stories from his childhood growing up with Mawlana Hazar Imam, and about their relationship with their grandfather, our beloved 48th Imam, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah. He speaks about AKDN’s activities and some of Hazar Imam’s priorities over the past 65 years.
This is a valuable opportunity to hear about Hazar Imam from someone who has been by his side for most of his life, and to gain a deeper understanding into Hazar Imam’s work across many decades.
In the first installment of a five-part series, Onstage Conversations 2022, Dr. Amyn B. Sajoo talks with Dr. Ulrike al-Khamis, Director & CEO of the Aga Khan Museum. The conversation focuses on the role of art in bridging divides as societies become more polarized by words and images. The series is presented by Simon Fraser University in partnership with the Ismaili Centres.
The Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center USA together with the Ismaili Centre Toronto present a discussion in recognition of the International Day of Tolerance. In a discussion with three representatives of the Aga Khan Development Network, Dr. Mahmoud Eboo, Diplomatic Representative to Canada, Sheherezade Hirji, Diplomatic Representative to Afghanistan, and Munir Merali, Diplomatic Representative to the People's Republic of Bangladesh, illustrate how local contexts shape the work of the AKDN and provide an understanding of the broader connection between the global projects.