Gallery: Aga Khan's arrival in Vancouver Nov 25, 2008
She said many Ismailis were flying into the city today to see the man they call His Highness. Ismailis consider the Aga Khan to be the direct descendant of the prophet Muhammad ... "He inspires Ismailis all across the world.". (Vancouver Sun)
The Aga Khan: faith and action Nov 21, 2008
Then, as a young university student, I read about Prince Karim, who had suddenly inherited his grandfather's mantle as the imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismailis ... The young prince was still a student at Harvard, and I remember thinking, "How does he feel about inheriting this enormous responsibility as the leader of the Ismailis at the age of 20?" ... In the early 1970s, I was well aware of the Ismailis who were fleeing East Africa and of our reception of thousands of them here in Canada. (Globe and Mail)
Saudi rebuked on minority rights Sep 23, 2008
Human Rights Watch says the Saudi government has consistently penalised Ismailis for their religious beliefs. Ismailis are treated as second-class citizens in employment, education and the justice system, the group says ... It says there are as many as one million Ismailis in Saudi Arabia, a Sunni-dominated country of 28 million. (BBC News -- Africa)
Muslims to feed Atlanta homeless Sep 20, 2008
Ismailis split from the Shia in about A.D. 765 in another dispute over leadership ... An estimated 5,000 Ismailis make Georgia their home. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Muslim leader Aga Khan arrives, will dine with Perdue Apr 19, 2008
The Aga Khan is well-known not only as a leader of the Ismailis, a sect of the Shiite branch of Islam, but also as a businessman and philanthropist. He will speak in closed session with Ismailis from around the Southeast while here and give a lecture at North Atlanta High School that will attract students and teachers from around the country in the International Baccalaureate program. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Living)
Aga Khan makes rare visit to U.S. Apr 16, 2008
"Ismailis see him as the final authority in today's world," Takim said ... "Ismailis see themselves firmly within the Islamic tradition but of course other Muslims have problems with that." ... But for many Ismailis, the Aga Khan's role transcends that of spiritual leader. (CNN -- US)
Famous Muslim philanthropist to visit Atlanta Apr 12, 2008
He is deferred to by Ismailis as if he were a medieval prince, but he is a force for modernization and pluralism in Islam ... He is visiting Ismailis around the world to celebrate his 50th anniversary as imam, a hereditary title conferred on him by his grandfather ... The Ismailis are one of several minority offshoots of Shiites, one of the two major branches of Islam. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Living)
Organized religion, the liberty of prejudice Dec 26, 2007
Are they so conceited as to declare that the Aga Khan and the Ismailis are less devout than they are. The state has perpetuated these tyrannical practices by ceding to the MUI on religious matters and effectively purging persons of "non-recognized faiths" by complicating the requirements to obtain civil registration and birth certificates as well as marriage licences. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia)
Hirsi Ali, atheism and Islam Dec 4, 2007
Because right now, the political side of Islam, the power-hungry expansionist side of Islam, has become superior to the Sufis and the Ismailis and the peace-seeking Muslims. Reason: Don't you mean defeating radical Islam. (Asia Times Online)
The Divisions of Islam Sep 13, 2007
Ismailis, commonly known as Seveners, are named for Ismail, the son of Jafar al-Sadiq, the sixth Imam. Ismail died before his father, and Ismailis contend that Ismail was the last to inherit Mohammad s knowledge of God ... Ismailis acquired power in Egypt during the tenth century, founding the Fatmid dynasty, which reigned for over 250 years (909-1171). (Suite101.com)
Ugandans seek deportation for writing on gays Aug 22, 2007
The Ismailis are a part of the Shiite community. Last week, Roubos covered a news conference in Kampala where Ugandas gay community spoke out publicly for the first time. (MSNBC -- International)
Interrupting a History of Tolerance Part III Aug 8, 2007
Secondly, although the kingdom has made progress in recognizing some religious minorities such as the Shia of the eastern province, the Ismailis of the south and the Sufis of western Hijaz it must take more concrete steps toward including them in the political system by increasing their representation in governmental bodies and opening professions largely closed to them, such as education, the diplomatic corps and the military. King Abdullah should be commended for using the National Dialogue... (YaleGlobal Online Magazine, CT)
Secrets of Assassins' fort unearthed in Syria Jul 14, 2007
Nizari Ismailis, followers of a branch of Shi'ite Islam, today take the Aga Khan as their spiritual guide ... The restoration project, completed during the last year, has revealed much about the history of Ismailis in Syria while also saving parts of the castle from collapse ... Ismailis were living in the castle as recently as the last century and the fortress is still part of the fabric of Masyaf town. (Yahoo News)
Kenya Celebrates the Leadership of a Friend of Humanity Jul 12, 2007
The Ismailis, who the Aga Khan leads, constitute the second largest Shia community in the Muslim world and are found in more than 20 countries in Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe and America. It is not only the Ismailis who will be celebrating, however, but also millions of non-Ismailis who have benefited from the work of the spiritual leader. (allAfrica.com)
50 years of positive religious influence Jul 11, 2007
Following the Aga Khan's leadership, each community of Ismailis contributes locally and internationally to making the world a better place. Focusing particularly on developing nations in Asia and Africa, the Aga Khan through the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network has built over 300 educational institutions, including two universities, 200 clinics and health centers, five hospitals and other institutions dedicated to improving living conditions for the poor of the world, without regard... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Ismaili Muslims celebrate spiritual leader's golden jubilee Jul 11, 2007
Some 15 million Ismailis living in 25 countries around the world will remember the day when Aga Khan, a then 20-year-old, Harvard-educated grandson of the former imam, was chosen ... DeKalb County has a special place among Ismailis who are a minority within the minority Shia branch of Islam, and among more than 1 billion Muslims in the world ... The Ismailis' Southeast regional office is located on DeKalb Industrial Way. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Vancouver Ismailis ready to celebrate Aga Khan (12:41 pm) Jul 11, 2007
Vancouver Ismailis ready to celebrate Aga Khan (12:41 pm) ... Vancouver Ismailis ready to celebrate Aga Khan (12:41 pm) ... The Aga Khan is considered by Ismailis to be a direct descendant of Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed. (Vancouver Sun)
Uganda: Celebrating 50 Years Under His Highness Karim Aga Khan Jul 11, 2007
On July 11, 1957, the previous Imam of the Ismailis, Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah Aga Khan III passed away ... Culturally diverse, the Ismailis live in more than 25 countries, in South and Central Asia, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa ... 10 years later, in 1972, when President Idi Amin expelled Ismailis and other Asians from Uganda, the Aga Khan played a vital role in facilitating the resettlement of displaced Ismailis in Europe and North America. (AllAfrica.com)
The Aga Khan, a jet-setter who mixes business and Islam Jul 10, 2007
Ismailis "wouldn't like to see him living the life of a pauper - we want him to live a decent, an affluent life," said Kris Janowski, the Aga Khan's spokesman. Janowski added that the imam was "surprised that anyone would apply the word 'lavish' to his lifestyle because he doesn't see it as lavish.". (International Herald Tribune -- Money Report)
* Do business and Islam mix? Yes, if you are the Aga Khan Jul 8, 2007
Ismailis "wouldn't like to see him living the life of a pauper - we want him to live a decent, an affluent life," says Kris Janowski, the Aga Khan's spokesman ... The Ismailis are a minority within the minority Shia branch of Islam and have experienced frequent persecution through the centuries; as recently as the 1990s, the Taliban in Afghanistan persecuted Ismailis ... Over the centuries, as the Ismailis dispersed across Asia and Africa and later Europe and North America, they often adopted... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Chitral now on the jihadi radar screen Jun 28, 2007
Leaders of Chitral's more moderate ethnic and religious groupings, including the Ismailis, who make up 35% of the 390,000-strong population, fear that radical madrassas - well endowed with ideology and funds - are in a position to radicalize the region further and siphon off the young generation. "A lot in our religion are leaving to join madrassas because of what they are being offered," said Lakshan Bibi, a female commercial pilot who runs a non-governmental organization that supports the... (Asia Times Online)
Muslims in Marin May 27, 2007
I feed him, and I let him drink, and he enjoys. " The inclusiveness of Marin Muslims has limits. At the Islamic Center of Mill Valley, women are allowed to pray only in a glass-enclosed space in the back of the mosque. The space has its own entrance that keeps the sexes from intermingling. A leader of the mosque, Ebrahim Nana, says the barriers adhere to formal Islamic traditions. The mosque itself is in a former Baptist church -- an example of Islam adapting to new surroundings as it spreads... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Store Owners: Pepsi Contracts Discriminate Apr 4, 2007
The article states that the organizations include Ismailis from Pakistan, India and other countries. According to the alliance Web site, its 12 member associations in the South and Midwest include some 4,350 members, including 900 in the ARA.. (Law.com)
