Canada - Friday Night Reflections (Farsi)
To commemorate the occasion of Yawm-e-Ali, host Reena Jessa sits down with Dr. Hussein Rashid, professor at Columbia University to reflect on the life and example of Hazrat Ali. As Caliph and Imam, Hazrat Ali exemplified a notion of justice that became a model of Muslim leadership, centered on the ethics of Islam. He believed a person’s ability to act justly was intimately connected to their relationship to God and orientation towards the divine spirit.
Devotional music, poetry, and literature - including ginans and qasidas - have long been a central feature of the Shia Ismaili tradition. Expressions of yearning as well as stories of suffering and triumph have offered hope and inspiration to Jamats across different cultures and civilizations, and especially so during times of difficulty and challenge.
This evening, host Saba Rawjani is joined by Dr. Shafique Virani to draw on our rich history of devotional expression, sharing stories of service and sacrifice to help situate our current challenges against the backdrop of centuries of hope faith and courage that sustained our ancestors.
As COVID vaccines begin their roll-out across the country and the world, many Jamati members have questions or are seeking more information. When can I expect to get my vaccine? How many vaccines have been approved, and how many others are in the pipeline? How effective are they? What are the side effects and risks? Who should receive it?
This week on Friday Night Reflections, host Shaheed Devji sits down with our special panel members Dr. Shainoor Ismail (Public Health Agency of Canada), Dr. Karim Ali (Niagara Health), and Dr. Hamidah Meghani (Halton Health), to help answer your questions on COVID-19 vaccines in Canada.
We also welcome Darkhana Mukhi Dr. Nazmuddin Bhanji, offering opening reflections on the impact of the pandemic on our lives and the road ahead for the Canadian Jamat.
This week, we take a closer look at how music fosters the development of our living Muslim heritage in societies across the world, serving as a spark for human creativity and connection to the divine.
President Ameerally Kassim-Lakha joins to share the final installment of 'From the Heart', discussing the importance of resilience as a critical soft skill for success in one's career and in life.
Host Zulekha Nathoo then sits down with Fairouz Nishanova, Director of the Aga Khan Music Programme to explore how the Aga Khan Trust for Culture collaborates with exceptionally creative musicians, artists, educators, and arts presenters from around the world.
We then join the musicians who represented Canada at the Diamond Jubilee Homage Ceremony to reflect on their experiences from that epical occasion.
On this Friday Night Reflections episode, we take a deeper look at how architecture serves as an anchor of our identity, extending beyond the structural, functional, and aesthetic, reflecting our traditions, our values, and our aspirations.
Host Malika Karim-Rajan sits down with Farrokh Derakhshani, Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture for a wide-ranging conversation, exploring the origin and evolution of the Award, and Mawlana Hazar Imam's ongoing work to encourage excellence in architecture as a bedrock for sustainable development.
We then travel across the globe to the Ismaili Centre Dushanbe, where architect Farouk Noormohamed shares an exclusive virtual tour of this Pamiri-inspired, architectural jewel.
This evening, we take a deeper look at the response of Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has taken a significant economic and social toll on communities across the globe.
President Ameerally Kassim-Lakha will share the second installment of 'From the Heart', exploring the soft skills needed to succeed in today's world.
Host Safiqa Kara then sits down with Dr. Gijs Walraven, AKDN Director of Health, to discuss the unique challenges faced in supporting the global Jamat and the populations served by AKHS.
We will also hear from some of our Canadian healthcare professionals who have served globally, giving of their time and knowledge.
Roads to Success: The Transformative Power of Mentorship. Council for Quebec and Maritimes President Noor Wais leads us through a deeper look at the power of mentorship, how it has impacted his own life and the lives of many others. President Ameerally Kassim-Lakha will share the first installment in a new mini-series entitled 'From the Heart', exploring the soft skills needed to succeed in today's world. We then sit down with a panel of leaders at different stages in their career and professional life, for a conversation on how Jamati members supporting and guiding each other can have a transformative impact and build a stronger, more resilient Jamat. The panel will feature Council for Canada Vice President Karim Thomas, Noorullah Hussain Zada, Mubeena Mistry, and moderator Aleema Jamal.
Who are the Ismailis? Is the Aga Khan like the Pope? What is the difference between a mosque and a Jamatkhana? Join host Debra Somani and Alwaez Hussein Charania for an illuminating conversation, as they delve into a series of questions reflecting on our identity as Shia Ismaili Muslims.
The beginning of a new calendar year provides an opportunity to reflect on our lives and set new goals as individuals and as a Jamat. Join host Aliya Jiwan-Thawer and special guest Alwaez Dr. Shiraz Kabani, as we reflect on the challenging year we leave behind and chart a course for a bold, visionary future built on the strong foundation of a united, principled, and forward-looking Jamat.
President Ameerally Kassim-Lakha shares an important announcement about positioning the Jamat for the post-COVID world, while Council Presidents Samir Manji, Zahra Somani, Fauzia Lalani-Khudabux, Salim Bhanji, Noor Wais, and Shakeel Bharmal, reflect on the challenges of leadership in difficult times and offer their hopes for a brighter tomorrow.
At the heart of the Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam are a monotheistic belief system, common humanity, and an ethical heritage shared by the Ahl al-Kitab - the People of the Book.
This week, host Alyshea Cummins sits down with the Archbishop of Toronto - Cardinal Thomas Christopher Collins, the Simon Fraser University Centre for Dialogue's Dr. Robert Daum, and University of Victoria's Dr. Farouk Mitha, to discuss the importance of religious pluralism, and to help us learn more about the beliefs and traditions of our neighbors, in order to build bridges of understanding and foster harmony.
How are vaccines tested and approved for safety? When might we expect a vaccine to be available for the general public? What’s it like working on the front lines of healthcare during the pandemic? Host Malika Karim-Rajan joins Dr. Shainoor Ismail, Dr. Irfan Dhalla, and Dr. Tasleem Nimjee to tackle these questions and more, on COVID-19 and the promise of hope with the arrival of vaccines.
This week, President Ameerally Kassim-Lakha also joins us to provide a retrospective of our Jamati response to the pandemic over the past year and pay tribute to the volunteers behind the scenes who have made it happen.
A special edition of Friday Night Reflections kicks off Salgirah weekend, featuring an evening of love, laughter, and light. We will travel across the country with hosts Zahra Premji, Farah Nasser, Attiya Hirji, Fahima Sultani, Malika Karim-Rajan, and Ziyah Karmali, for a celebration you won't want to miss!
President Ameerally Kassim-Lakha joins to share Salgirah greetings and felicitations on behalf of the Canadian Jamati Leadership. Then gather the family around to compete in the Khushiali Kahoot gameshow.
This week we commemorate the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The day is designed to promote respectful, accessible, and fair communities for all.
Join President Ameerally Kassim-Lakha for an update on recent COVID-related developments as well as host Natasha Walji of Google Canada, Dr. Jamil Jivraj, and several special guests who discuss their own experiences, confront stereotypes, and explore what role we can all play in creating more inclusive, caring and just communities.
Zahra Premji (host) sits down with infectious disease physician Dr. Zain Chagla and psychologist Soraya Lakhani to explore the physical and mental health implications of the pandemic and our collective responsibility to protect each others’ health and well-being.
A special interview with Eboo Patel, author, speaker, educator, and interfaith leader. Zain and Eboo share a thoughtful and self-reflective exploration of the roots of religious bigotry and the means by which each one of us can help turn the tide of ignorance and misperception into one of interconnectedness and understanding.
Special guest host Mayor Naheed Nenshi in a wide-ranging conversation with journalists Ali Velshi, Farah Nasser, and Zain Velji. Our panellists will reflect on their recent election experiences, their inside views on the challenges of staying objective, fair and accurate, as well as their perspectives on the role that citizens and the government can play in supporting a free press and strong democratic institutions.
President Ameerally Kassim-Lakha provides an update on maintaining our financial well-being during these difficult times. The Advance of Technology - Reimagining the Future discussion with Dr. Moez Rajwani and Dr. Daphne Taras on what steps we can take to turn challenges into opportunities and embrace the future of work. Then, join the Inaugural FNR Debate on the resolution, "Be it resolved that technology is more of a blessing than a burden.
In his lifetime, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had faced considerable social and cultural challenges but was able to overcome these through his own example of tolerance, trustworthiness, and compassion. In this episode, Naik Arbabzada and Darkhana Mukhi Dr. Nazmudin Bhanji, will provide introductory remarks on behalf of the Canadian Mukhi Kamadias and Mukhiani Kamadianis. Alwaez Jamil Sawani will then share how our faith can be a true source of hope and courage during times of challenge and adversity, and will explore how the current crisis can be seen as an opportunity for personal peace and spiritual growth.⠀
We are delighted to be joined this week by trailblazers Mobina Jaffer, Canadian Senator, and Nurjehan Mawani, former Chair and CEO of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, to discuss their life-long service in advancing the public good. Chronicling their successes, barriers to progress as well as sources of inspiration and strength, each of our special guests offers insight into challenges faced as Muslim women in public service. ⠀
Friday Night Reflections, we are delighted to be joined by Dr. Mahmoud Eboo, Diplomatic Representative of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat and AKDN in Canada, who has served in the Jamat's institutional leadership for over three decades. Dr. Eboo will sit down with host Farah Nasser for a wide-ranging conversation exploring the Ismaili Imamat's engagement in Canada, the role of the AKDN diplomatic representative, the establishment by Mawlana Hazar Imam of the Seat of the Imamat in Portugal, and the critical role members of the Jamat can play in advancing a more informed understanding of the work of the Imamat and its contributions to the advancement of peaceful, pluralist societies.
Friday Night Reflections. We will explore the notion of service in the Ismaili tradition, sitting down with Shams G. Vellani, who has served within the Imamat Institutions for many decades and in various capacities. This week's episode will also feature an excerpt from the film entitled A Century of Service, commemorating 100 years of the IVC and celebrating the spirit of volunteerism in our Jamat.