Browse Programmes
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).
A panel discussion with the Aga Khan University's leadership including AKU Trustees Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Naguib Kheraj, President Rasul and Provost Amrhein, on the university’s future growth, and its aspirations to become a liberal arts institution.
AKYSB UK presents Singalong Saturday: This week we present a piece call ‘Yaqeen’ meaning belief. This composition by the Ismaili Community Ensemble celebrates the legacy of our beloved Imam and the love we have for him. The music fuses classical Western styles with Jazz, Arabic and Indian influences and is played by 20 musicians all of whom contributed to the music making process. The gentle strum of the rubab, beautiful call of the bansuri and the intricate rhythms of the tabla blend seamlessly with the jazzy sounds of the trumpet, saxophone and electric guitar.
The lyrics are sung in both English and Urdu and were devised by the vocalists themselves:
"From a moment to a memory,
Out of darkness, creating energy,
Every action builds your legacy,
One heartbeat to a symphony".
This piece celebrates the diversity of our Jamat and the beliefs and values that bind us.
AKYSB UK presents Singalong Saturday: Shukran is a beautiful piece collaboratively composed by members of ‘Ruhi’, a multi-cultural musical ensemble, celebrates diversity through music. It seamlessly brings together melodic, soulful raags from the East, spiritually uplifting styles from the Middle East, and upbeat rhythms of the West, also highlighting a rap! Diversity is also reflected in the lyrics covering four languages, Arabic, Hindi, English, Persian, taking inspiration from esteemed poets like Rumi. Embedded throughout the song are the heart felt sentiments of a murid for their Lord, with the words ‘Shukran! Ya Noor Azalee!’ Our gratitude, O Eternal Light!
On 11 July 2007, Mawlana Hazar Imam completed 50 years as Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismailis. Fifty years ago, at the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.
As part of the commemoration of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee, Hazar Imam made official visits to countries around the world. In addition to recognising the friendship and longstanding support of leaders of state, government and other partners in the work of the Ismaili Imamat, Mawlana Hazar Imam granted some 26 Golden Jubilee Darbars to the worldwide Jamat.
This film, Golden Jubilee Memories, provides an opportunity to relive the memories of those Golden Jubilee visits.
On 25 November 1977, His Highness the Aga Khan officially inaugurated The Institute of Ismaili Studies. On Friday 24 November 2017, we celebrated its 40th anniversary, where the Board of Governors hosted an event to celebrate the people who have contributed to developing an academic centre for Ismaili studies, that has had a significant impact on the field of Shi‘i and Ismaili studies in the last 40 years.
The short documentary, Islamic Gardens: Catalysts for Change, is about the vast network of parks and gardens around the world developed by the Ismaili Imamat, under the leadership of His Highness the Aga Khan.
Gardens bring people of different backgrounds together to enjoy and appreciate nature. They also seek to improve people’s quality of life by providing spaces for reflection, spirituality, education and leisure.
The creation of parks and gardens has been an important part of the AKDN's work, with the objective of using green spaces to catalyse positive economic, social and cultural change. This short documentary "Islamic Gardens: Catalysts for Change" is about the Network’s vast network of parks and gardens. It explores their significance and the reasons for creating and revitalising parks and gardens, including their role as spiritual and communal spaces, in environmental stewardship, their capacity to act as springboards for economic development, and their role as educational spaces to teach about the rich diversity and heritage of Muslim cultures and civilisations.
The film looks at the numerous park and garden projects undertaken by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, as well as those found in the Ismaili Centres and many other spaces globally, with special focus on the three projects opened during the Diamond Jubilee year of the Aga Khan: the Sunder Nursery in India, the Islamic Gardens at Kings Cross found in the Aga Khan Centre in London, and the Aga Khan Garden in Edmonton.
You can read more about AKDN's Parks and Gardens projects on the AKDN website »
Tasneem Ramji, a Child Psychologist, talks about learning through play followed by a Q&A
Tasneem Virani interviews Rozina Dalla on how she keeps her mind focused and calm in moments of uncertainty. Rozina shares her experience, about how she keeps busy and active while self isolating.
In this episode, we explore how business owners are looking at the recovery and making management decisions in this period of uncertainty. For more episodes and key takeaways, see https://the.ismaili/uk/managing-through-disruption
Presenting a video called 'Spring' composed by the Ismaili Community Ensemble (ICE) for their recent concert entitled People Planet Purpose – Starting with me. ICE compose all of their own music and this year they looked at their personal responsibility of creating an environment of care, kindness and humanity. This song was inspired by their love for qawwali music and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s song called Haje Latha Nahio Akhiyan Da Cha. Spring looks at new beginning, a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can be.
In July 2008, Mawlana Hazar Imam visited the United Kingdom, where Her Majesty the Queen hosted a dinner in his honour. Hazar Imam also met with senior UK government leaders, including the Prime Minister, as well as senior Jamati and institutional leaders, and granted a Golden Jubilee Darbar at the ExCeL centre.
Mawlana Hazar Imam visited London in June 2018 for his Diamond Jubilee visit to the United Kingdom. This 36-minute film recounts the preparations by the UK Jamat, and the programme undertaken by Mawlana Hazar Imam during his visit.
The Aga Khan Centre was opened by HRH The Prince of Wales in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam on 26 June 2018 at an inauguration ceremony in Kings Cross, London, during Hazar Imam's Diamond Jubilee visit to the United Kingdom.