Our Stories

See stories from the Ismaili Community around the world.

Spearheaded by the Ismaili Council for the Far East, the song Mawla Mera Ishq Tu showcases the collaboration between composer Karim Barolia (right) and 62 global artists commissioned by The Ismaili Sounds.
Spearheaded by the Ismaili Council for the Far East, the song Mawla Mera Ishq Tu showcases the collaboration between composer Karim Barolia (right) and 62 global artists commissioned by The Ismaili Sounds.
Looking back at a labour of love
Looking back at a labour of love
28 March 2021

I am silent in anticipation, as adrenaline rushes through me as a music lover. I delight at the opportunity of listening to original compositions. It is for this reason that when the song Mawla Mera Ishq Tu is shared with me, I eagerly click on the link to experience the musical journey expressed through this beautiful composition.

Nuha, Wassim, and their two children are excited about the various opportunities for growth at the Aga Khan Academy, Maputo.
Nuha, Wassim, and their two children are excited about the various opportunities for growth at the Aga Khan Academy, Maputo.
A home away from home
A home away from home
22 March 2021

After months of excitement, anticipation, and a journey of over 6,000 miles from Salamiyah, Syria, Nuha Alaizouki and Wassim Alhammwy are finally able to call the Aga Khan Academy in Maputo, Mozambique their new home.

Children's story: A new year and a new beginning
Children's story: A new year and a new beginning
16 March 2021

Today we share a story about two children, Nargis and Aziz, who celebrate the festival of Navroz with their family. Parents and grandparents may wish to read this story with children, whether in person or over a video call.

Pandemic perseverance: Pursuing your dreams during Covid-19
Pandemic perseverance: Pursuing your dreams during Covid-19
26 February 2021

I always saw the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as a daunting exam; nevertheless, the fact that so many students would be taking it with me physically gave me some sense of moral support, even if that support was coming from strangers.

SEDP 02 - Sharifullah

Video: Saving for generations to come
7 February 2021

Due to the harsh climate in Immit, Northern Pakistan, the local soils require labour-intensive work to become suitable for cultivation, and the low income earned from farming leaves no money to save, so Sharifullah began to look elsewhere for his livelihood.

SEDP is an initiative of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan, with a primary goal to improve the quality of life of remote communities in the mountainous regions of Pakistan.
SEDP is an initiative of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan, with a primary goal to improve the quality of life of remote communities in the mountainous regions of Pakistan.
Saving for generations to come
Saving for generations to come
7 February 2021

Sharifullah, of Immit in Ishkoman Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan, believes prosperity lies in saving for future generations. While working as a farmer, he barely earned enough to feed his family. With some assistance, Sharifullah and his family are now on a path to progress.

Aziz Nathoo presents at the United Nations in New York City on the role of civil society and specifically on civil dialogue in interfaith spaces.
Aziz Nathoo presents at the United Nations in New York City on the role of civil society and specifically on civil dialogue in interfaith spaces.
One person’s mission to connect communities
One person’s mission to connect communities
23 November 2020

"I spend a lot of time learning about my faith and trying to be an exemplary ambassador of Islam in the world,” said Aziz Nathoo, who has immersed himself in teaching, dialogue, peacemaking, tolerance, and promoting pluralism for the past 20 years.

Shehnaz Wadhwania at the beam signing of Abram Agnew Elementary School in Santa Clara, CA.
Shehnaz Wadhwania at the beam signing of Abram Agnew Elementary School in Santa Clara, CA.
Impact and innovation: An educator’s journey into school leadership
Impact and innovation: An educator’s journey into school leadership
29 October 2020

“Education is an equalizer. All of us who are in education, we’re not in there for money. We’re there for impact,” said Shehnaz Wadhwania, currently the founding principal for Abram Agnew Elementary School in California’s Santa Clara Unified School District. Before becoming a school leader, Shehnaz followed a unique career path in education, where she felt she could make the greatest impact.

Saif Punjwani standing next to the prototype of his FIRST Robotics Competition team's lift mechanism. Saif led the creation of the lift mechanism, which was a crucial component that allowed his team's 2019 robot to lift above the ground and reach a new level.
Saif Punjwani standing next to the prototype of his FIRST Robotics Competition team's lift mechanism. Saif led the creation of the lift mechanism, which was a crucial component that allowed his team's 2019 robot to lift above the ground and reach a new level.
Student-run nonprofit seeks to close gaps in STEM education
Student-run nonprofit seeks to close gaps in STEM education
24 October 2020

Everything is made of something. Materials science is the study of what objects are made of – from metals to ceramics and polymers – and why certain materials function the way they do. It is the science that explains why your phone charger is made of the insulator polycarbonate or why a car contains the fireproof material fiberglass in its bumpers, doors, roof, and wheels. Though materials science and engineering (MSE) is not often studied in schools, it is the foundation of all objects in our world. 

Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad students planned and implemented an organic farm on school grounds during the pandemic.
Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad students planned and implemented an organic farm on school grounds during the pandemic.
Students build organic farm during school closures
Students build organic farm during school closures
3 September 2020

A group of Ismaili students from Afghanistan and Tajikistan made the most of a difficult situation when they were unable to return home from the Aga Khan Academy in Hyderabad during the Covid-19 pandemic. With the abundance of spare time they were suddenly given, the students planned and implemented an organic farm on the school grounds.

Yaseena Khalfan, a teacher at the Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi, has had to be creative and learn new skills to transition to remote learning.
Yaseena Khalfan, a teacher at the Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi, has had to be creative and learn new skills to transition to remote learning.
Teachers and students of the Jamat embrace remote learning amidst pandemic
Teachers and students of the Jamat embrace remote learning amidst pandemic
1 September 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced teachers and students around the world to make an abrupt transition from classrooms to remote learning as schools, universities, and religious education centres were closed. Teachers redesigned lessons and adapted to the new reality of keeping students engaged virtually. Meanwhile, students adjusted to learning online without the ease of classroom interactions. Ismaili teachers and students around the world have risen to this challenge and are finding ways to embrace remote learning and tap into the opportunities it offers.

Danial Asaria at a chess tournament.
Danial Asaria at a chess tournament.
Prodigy Danial Asaria inspires others to pursue the game of chess
Prodigy Danial Asaria inspires others to pursue the game of chess
8 August 2020

In the second round of the USA National High School Senior Online Rapid Chess Tournament, chess prodigy Danial Asaria hovered over the resign button on his computer screen. He describes the moment as being “completely dead lost.” However, since this was his final chess tournament as a high school student, he did not want to regret what could have been, so he continued to play.

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