Kazan,Tatarstan-Russia: Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2019 Presentation Ceremony

“I believe that we all have a responsibility to improve the quality of life whenever and wherever that opportunity arises.  Our commitment to influencing the quality of architecture – intellectually and materially – grows directly out of our commitment to improving the quality of human life.” Bismillah-ir-Rahaman-ir-Rahim As-Salam-Alai-Kum, Peace be upon you Your Excellency Mintimer…

Kazan,Tatarstan-Russia: Aga Khan Award for Architecture recognises innovation and excellence

In a captivating occasion in Kazan earlier today, 13 September 2019, Mawlana Hazar Imam presided over the prize-giving ceremony of 14th cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. In his speech, Hazar Imam described several ways in which architecture can blend differing perspectives, and reiterated its potential to inspire and enrich creative dialogue. Six…

From wasteland to environment protection marvel: Sharjah’s Wasit Wetland Centre makes history | Won the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2019

Kazan, Tatarstan: Sharjah’s Wasit Wetland Cente — a marvel created out of a wasteland — made history by becoming the first environment protection zone to win the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2019. Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment Protection Areas Authority (EPAA) received the award from Prince Kareem Aga Khan, the…

Mawlana Hazar Imam visits historic city of Bolgar in Tatarstan | Visits historic sites, participated in a postage stamp cancellation ceremony

Earlier today, 12 September, Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Bolgar, located in southwestern Tatarstan, in Russia. During his visit, Hazar Imam spent time at a number of historic sites, and participated in a postage stamp cancellation ceremony to commemorate the 2019 Aga Khan Award for Architecture. During his time in Bolgar, Hazar Imam participated in…

Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Kazan, Russia to preside over the 14th ceremony of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture | Watch video

Earlier today, Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Kazan, Russia to preside over the 14th ceremony of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Hazar Imam was joined by Princess Zahra and her daughter Sara; Prince Hussain and his fiancée Ms Elizabeth Hoag; and Princess Salwa and Prince Irfan. Upon arriving into Kazan International Airport, Hazar Imam…

Why architecture matters: — By Nazim Karim – Part one & two on the Ismaili

Later this week, Mawlana Hazar Imam will preside over the 14th cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. To mark this occasion, we explore some of the important questions surrounding the theme of architecture and the built environment. In society today, building projects are often seen in terms of cost and return on investment….

Webcast: Aga Khan Award for Architecture Ceremony on Friday 13 September 2019

The Ismaili is pleased to confirm that the Aga Khan Award for Architecture Ceremony will take place on Friday 13 September 2019 in Kazan, Russia, where Mawlana Hazar Imam will preside over the ceremony and present certificates to the winners. The event is anticipated to begin at 3:00 PM UTC+3, and will be webcast at…

Sind, Pakistan: Study says customised mobile messages boost vaccine coverage | Voice message “Paigham-e-Sehat”, to parents and caregivers of infants

​Results from a randomised controlled trial spanning over 3,300 households in rural and urban areas of Sindh have highlighted the usefulness of SMS and voice campaigns, targeted at parents and caregivers of infants, in increasing vaccine coverage in underserved areas.  Sindh has one of the lowest rates of routine immunisation in Pakistan with seven out…

Identity politics in the West: “Islam – no longer the bogeyman” — By Stefan Buchen on Qantara.de

The champions of white identity are re-grouping. In the West hostility towards Islam has had its day. It is now being absorbed into common or garden racism, says Stefan Buchen in his essay (…) The French scholar Olivier Roy was perhaps the first to recognise the pitfalls of this way of looking at the world…

Changing attitudes towards Secondary Education in Afghanistan — By Sarah Cottereau on Aga Khan Foundation, UK

The STAGES (Steps Towards Afghan Girls’ Education Success) II programme is funded by DFID through its GEC grant scheme. It is being implemented by a consortium of partners, led by the Aga Khan Foundation. “A man educates a person, while a woman educates a family”- Afghan proverb After decades of war in Afghanistan, access to…

India: Urdu is the 2nd most spoken language in 5 states — Siasat com | Video: The Origin Of Urdu Language — Culture Express

Urdu is the second most spoken language in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. (…) According to Wikipedia, Urdu is the 3rd most spoken language in Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan. It is the 4th spoken language in Jharkhand, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and the 5th…

Anthony Appiah – What happens when Democracy becomes Tribal? — Rest DOC Video Interview

Anthony Appiah – What happens when Democracy becomes Tribal? Source: Reset DOC – Dialogues on Civilizations Published on 30 Aug 2019

Aga Khan Academies – Province of Ontario Joint Education Initiative | Since the signing of the agreement on 25 May 2015 the impact on both side are positive

April 2018 – The Joint Education Initiative between the Aga Khan Academies and the Province of Ontario, Canada has demonstrated impact on both teachers and students since the signing of the agreement on 25 May 2015. Source: Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Published on 5 Sep 2019

Authoritative specialists in the modern history of Iran explore approaches to the Qur’an in new IIS publication — The Institute of Ismaili Studies, UK

Persian culture has had a long-standing engagement with the Qur’an since early classical times, and this has been visible in various forms from their poetry, calligraphy to Qur’anic exegesis. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, technological advancements made it easier to disseminate information to a larger pool of intellectuals who occupied the middle ground between…

Portugal: Aga Khan honoured with the Keys of the City of Porto — 2 May 2019

2 May 2019 – Presentation of the Keys to the City of Porto to His Highness the Aga Khan.     Source: Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Published on 4 Sep 2019

The Secrets of Silicon Valley: What Big Tech Doesn’t Want You to Know — Documentary Video

Once a sleepy farming region, Silicon Valley is now the hub of a global industry that is transforming the economy, shaping our political discourse, and changing the very nature of our society. So what happened? How did this remarkable change take place? Why is this area the epicenter of this transformation? Discover the dark secrets…

Converting digital acumen into social capital —By Faiza Virani | Ismaili entrepreneurs who have ventured onto the app space, and are helping others through their technology

Originally intended to help with productivity tasks such as email, calendars, and contact lists; mobile apps have expanded into other areas such as games, location-services, purchasing, and countless others. Here we feature three Ismaili entrepreneurs who have ventured onto the app space, and are helping others through their technology. Originally intended to help with productivity…

Interview with Professor El-Nasir Lalani, Director of the Centre for Regenerative Medicine at AKU — The Ismaili

The Ismaili is pleased to publish an interview with Dr El-Nasir Lalani, Founding Director and Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Translational Medicine at the Aga Khan University’s Centre for Regenerative Medicine. Professor Lalani discusses the implications of scientific breakthroughs in a rapidly changing world, and the potential of stem cell research to better treat…

Kashmirʹs tormented quest for freedom: Modi and the revocation of Article 370 — Marian Brehmer reports from Kashmir on Qantara de | Watch Deutsche Welle Video

Since India scrapped its special status, tensions in Kashmir are rising once again. The conflict over the valley has defined the lives of Kashmiris for decades. Marian Brehmer reports from Kashmir The mountains, meadows and rivers of Kashmir are so reminiscent of Swiss mountain pastures that you could almost be forgiven for thinking you were…

Space Camp 2019: Launching into orbit — By Noureen Lakhani, Aisha Ali

In an effort to better understand the mysteries of the cosmos, and taking-off into its second year, Space Camp — an initiative of the Aga Khan Education Board (UK) — took 32 young participants from across the UK on an unforgettable space mission. Building on the success of the inaugural Space Camp in 2018, this…