Conversations, Interviews & Speeches
On 27 February 2014, His Highness the Aga Khan delivered a historic address to the Parliament of Canada before signing a Protocol of Understanding with Prime Minister Stephen Harper between the Ismaili Imamat and Canada's Government.
A performance by the Aga Khan Music Initiative Ensemble, which is made up of musical innovators who are the AKMI’s most trusted artists, performers, educators, and advisors. Assembled from Afghanistan, China, Italy, and Syria, in this performance they celebrate the music that is inspired by their heritage.
His Highness The Aga Khan, leader of the world’s 15 million Ismaili Muslims, receives the inaugural Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship. The annual award, earmarked for individuals who work to remove barriers and support the principles of tolerance and respect, is part of the 6 Degrees initiative. Among the dignitaries at the event were Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Toronto Mayor John Tory. Farah Nasser reports.
On 19 May 2017, the Architectural League of New York awarded Mawlana Hazar Imam the President’s Medal, its highest and most important honour. The occasion highlighted the values of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, established 40 years ago.
A dialogue between the mayors of Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver on the way that the ongoing pandemic has shaped the way that they understand civic life.
In 2005, Mawlana Hazar Imam was awarded the Die Quadriga prize in recognition of his life’s work in helping people in the poorest regions of the world. We then tune in for the first part of the sixth Annual Pluralism Lecture, delivered by Karen Armstrong, author, and religious historian. Her lecture, entitled “Compassion or
Toleration? Two Approaches to Pluralism" explores why pluralism is now of utmost global importance.
The Aga Khan became the first faith leader to address the Canadian Parliament. Shortly after, he sat down with Peter Mansbridge to discuss civil society in the developing world, and his concerns about Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Middle East. Filmed 27 February 2014.
The Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center is pleased to bring you Community Barriers to Economic Prosperity: A Virtual Town Hall with Stacey Abrams, in recognition of National Voter Registration Day. Join us as we discuss solutions to the deep challenges faced by the southern states and opportunities for civic engagement.
Celebrate Eid al-Adha with an enchanting musical performance held at the Ismaili Centre Toronto in 2015.
Dr. Karim Gillani and the Sufi Music Ensemble perform original compositions based on classical poems of the Mughal era with a theme of Rah-e-Ishq – The Path of Love.
Using rich metaphors, symbols, and stories of the past, musical compositions, and interpretations of modern art, the ensemble echoed the sentiments of tolerance and acceptance of the Mughal civilisation. The musicians used a variety of traditional instruments such as the santur, tombak, sarangi, flutes, Indian tablas, harmonium, and keyboard.
This month marks 35 years of the Ismaili Centre, Vancouver. Join us in celebrating this milestone through a series of online events.
Our second session features a special conversation with past and present institutional leaders. Moderated by CTV’s Nafeesa Karim, this promises to be an engaging discussion filled with insights into the history of the Ismaili Centre, alongside footage from the Centre’s archives.
Past Council for Canada President Farouk Verjee and past Council for British Columbia President Bahadur Karim will share their experiences and fondest memories of the Centre’s opening ceremony. Discover the vision, conversations, and experiences that helped establish the Ismaili Centre, Vancouver as a keystone of our community in Canada. The session will close with Council for British Columbia President Samir Manji offering his reflections on the Ismaili Centre, Vancouver.
Listen to a conversation with Salim Merchant as he shares his musical journey from where it all started.
Healthy Moms, Healthy Families: Did you know women's health has a direct impact on the well-being of their families? Join us for a panel discussion with esteemed speakers from Women's College Hospital to learn about barriers in women's mental health, and for an inspiring discussion on new initiatives to help bridge these gaps.
IJKC USA: Conversation with former White House Photographer Eric Draper, moderated by Karim Farishta
The Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center presents an up-close and personal look at the George W. Bush presidency as captured by Eric Draper during his eight years as the Director of the White House Photo Office and President Bush’s personal photographer. Join us for a moderated discussion on Draper’s journey as a photojournalist and a behind-the-scenes look at some of the iconic images he captured.
The Ismaili Centre, London, presents an exciting and humorous conversation between Dr. Mohamed Keshavjee, author of "Diasporic Distractions: New Faces in New Places”, and East African Swahili playwright Dr. Farouk Topan. Together they explore the existential realities of Asians in Africa during the 20th century, utilising popular fiction and anecdotes.
In recognition of the upcoming International Day of Democracy, the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center is pleased to bring you, “Strengthening Our Democracy.” Join us for conversations with U.S. Senator David Perdue and Candidate Jon Ossoff as they share their views on democracy and how to strengthen the United States of America.
Designing a Better World is a new Ismaili Centre docu-series, focusing on designers who are improving society through their creativity and passion. In the first episode, world-renowned Islamic geometry artist, sculptor, and calligrapher Adam Williamson shares his journey and explains how the act of producing art is, for him, a deeply meditative and spiritual process.
From architecture to policy-making, entertainment to organizational design, Designing a Better World brings together leading thinkers who are building a more inclusive, resilient, and peaceful world through better design.
On 10 October 2019, Princess Zahra Aga Khan received Asia Society Texas Center's Huffington Award in Houston, Texas. The award is the highest honour bestowed by the Texas Center recognising leaders who are a major force on the international stage. Princess Zahra Aga Khan was honoured for her outstanding contributions that have furthered international understanding, uplifted lives, and advanced health and education through her work with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
You can read more about this event at The.Ismaili website »
The Future of Leadership and Wellbeing – As part of their Special Lecture Series, the Aga Khan University (AKU) presents a special event on leadership and wellbeing, with world-renowned public speaker Deepak Chopra, MD, FACP.
The Ismaili Centres are proud to present Visionary Voices: Conversations on the 35th Anniversary of the Ismaili Centre, Vancouver. Please join us for a special event featuring a discussion with former Prime Minister of Canada Brian Mulroney. Mr. Mulroney reflects back on the vision for the Centre, its significance as a symbol of the Ismaili community's contributions to Canada, and its untapped potential to fulfill even more of these hopes and aspirations in the years ahead.
For two years filmmaker Veronika Hofer and her crew travelled the world visiting projects of the Aga Khan's organisations and to accompany His Highness. They visited the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in Doha, they explored projects in Egypt, Kenya, and India. In London and Paris Veronika Hofer searched the archives of the Aga Khan to find the most significant images. Finally, Veronika Hofer met Karim Aga Khan for an extraordinary personal and thoughtful interview in his private home in Nairobi.
Opening session of the IIS's 25th Anniversary conference "Word of God, Art of Man - the Qur'an and its Creative Expressions" at The Ismaili Centre, London, including keynote address by Mawlana Hazar Imam and Professor Oleg Grabar (Princeton University), introduced by Professor Azim Nanji (Director, IIS).