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Education and the Knowledge Society
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The knowledge society we live in today is beautiful and dynamic. We encounter new and exciting challenges everyday. Therefore, to be knowledgeable has increasingly come to mean to be multidisciplinary. While this has become a buzzword, we have examples in our history that we can draw inspiration from. The Brethren of Purity or Ikhwān aṣ-Ṣafāʾ, a group in tenth century Iraq, connected to the Ismailis, wrote 52 epistles, ranging from topics such as logic and mathematics to music and magic. Examples like these tell us that knowledge is an integral part of our tradition.
One worldly facet that ensures we contribute positively to society is education. Whatever stage of life you are at, your learning will broaden you and ensure that you can be just like the role models that once inspired you. Each journey is different, but the outcome is the same - newfound knowledge will improve society. And that is truly powerful.
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Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Mawlana Hazar Imam was the chief guest at the 14th award ceremony of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture held at Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan on 13 September 2019. He was accompanied by Mintimer Shaimiev, State Counsellor, where a US$1 million prize was presented to the six winning projects in this cycle. The Award is given to architecture, and projects around the world that significantly improve the quality of human life. Click here for more information about the ceremony.
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Aga Khan Education Services
Since its establishment by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah in 1905, Aga Khan Education Services has been rendering great service in the field of education in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Over 200 AKES schools provide quality education at primary and secondary levels. This has recently included the addition of excellent early childhood programme implemented in many schools. For example, the Aga Khan Early Learning Centre in Dubai won the Best Nursery Award in the United Arab Emirates in March 2019.
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Aga Khan Centre
The Aga Khan Centre has added many accolades to its profile in addition to being home to the Ismaili Institute of Studies, and Institute for the study of Muslim Civilisations. Since opening its doors in Jun 2018, The AKC has been attracting a host of public and academic visitors; for its minimalistic yet modern Islamic architecture, events, conferences, seminars, talks and more. While the in-house Aga Khan Library complements other libraries in the vicinity of the Knowledge Quarter. The AKC welcomed hundreds of guests on 21 Sep through the Open House London initiative. To book a tour click here.
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Delhi: Nature & Heritage in Urban Renewal
On 23 September, The Ismaili Centre, London welcomed the High Commission of India to open the exhibition: Delhi: Nature & Heritage in Urban Renewal. Curated by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the event hosted by Ratish Nanda, CEO of AKTC India, showcasing how Delhi has become a re-emerging city in all its grandeur with renewed greenery, empowered youth, energised neighbourhoods, and commerce and livelihoods resurrected. The exhibition is open to the public in the Zamana Space between 11 AM and 6 PM until 2 October.
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Leadership Orientation Europe 2019
Newly appointed institutional leadership and Mukhi/Kamadias from the Council of Sweden and Germany, as well as members from the National Council and ITREB, had the pleasure of attending a Leadership Orientation in Hamburg, Germany. This was a great opportunity for attendees to become familiar with resources and tools available to best carry out their roles, and provided a platform for making connections. The program included introductory presentations and hands-on workshops that allowed interactive, scenario-based sessions.
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Education Planning and Futureproofing your Child’s Education
On Sunday 22 September, 20 leading educationalists and thought leaders supported parents and carers making choices about their child's education and preparing their children for the future. Key advice from the Aga Khan Education Board conference included:
- Top ten skills required for 2022 include: analytical thinking, creativity and emotional intelligence;
- When choosing subjects to study students should play to their strengths but be aware of employment trends; and
- Building resilient students means creating space for relaxation and playing.
Further information from the day will be shared with parents by email. For support email akeb@iiuk.org.
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Encounters camp in Berlin and Frankfurt
Encounters events in Europe took place in August in Berlin and Frankfurt, with participants from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. The theme “Guidance” was explored over the weekend through ITREB workshops and creative activities such as Trager haunt where participants spent a lot of time communicating and learning from each other, as well as art and cultural dance workshops.
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Local council visit to Wuppertal gathering space
The German local council organised a visit to the gathering space in Wuppertal to meet the Jamat on 31 August. Members of the Jamat came from various nearby areas including Düsseldorf, Köln, Leverkusen and Duisburg. The visit was to introduce the local council members to the Jamat and to explore how we can support the activities at this gathering space. We also had over 30 people and seven children who spent time doing BAI activities.
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I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World
On 9 October 2012, Malala was shot on her way home from school. With an innate drive to fight for what she believed in, Malala stood up for herself and her right to education. Malala is now a renowned worldwide figure for education and the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner.
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"My strong expectation is that, from this new home, our education-oriented institutions will contribute powerfully to building new bridges of understanding across the gulfs of ignorance."
- His Highness the Aga Khan IV
Opening of the Aga Khan Centre, London
23 August 2018
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Around the world 59 million children of primary school age are being denied an education, and almost 65 million adolescents are without access to a secondary school.
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Spotlight on Volunteering
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Ismaili Volunteer Corps Centenary Logo Competition
The Ismaili Volunteer Corps would like to thank those who submitted an entry to the Centenary Logo competition; there was an incredible standard of designs submitted and it was wonderful to see such talent within the Jamat. We are delighted to announce the design chosen for the Centenary logo was created by Fatima Nota. This inspiring design consists of the word khidmat, which translates as 'service' in Persian, and is written in 3D kufic script. The design is a mirror image of itself symbolising the next 100 years of IVC continuing its tradition of dedicated service to the Jamat.
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Cadet Training
The Cadet Development Programme was designed to give a more structured training to our young volunteers when embarking on the journey of volunteering with the IVC. The programme covers the types of duties they can perform in Jamatkhana, according to their age and ability, and it is divided into four levels, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond. This structure helps to motivate the cadets, encouraging them to experience a variety of roles and take on more responsibility, whilst also ensuring the Cadet Mentors, and the rest of the IVC, acknowledge the achievements of our Cadets.
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Heartstart with the Aga Khan Health Board
The Aga Khan Health Board has linked with Heartstart, a British Heart Foundation initiative, offers training in the vital skills of Basic Life Support. During the course participants are taught how to assess a casualty, put them in the Recovery Position and perform CPR. They are also taught how to use a defibrillator, a life-saving piece of equipment that is now in all of our permanent Jamatkhanas and also in other public spaces such as train stations and shopping centres. In just the last 12 months this invaluable training has been delivered to teams in ten Jamatkhanas across London and the regions, ensuring more and more of our Jamat are able to offer help in an emergency situation.
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Preparing for BREXIT
As it stands, the United Kingdom will leave the European Union on 31 October 2019. If you plan to visit the EU after this date, you need to be sure to check your passport validity, obtain travel insurance to make sure you are covered for healthcare, and that you have the right driving documents. If you trade any goods or services with the EU you will need to get ready for Brexit. For example, you need to take action if you: import goods from the EU, transport goods by road or export services to the EU. If you employ EU nationals or are an EU national in the UK, understand how the changes will affect you or your business. To ensure you are prepared, visit https://www.gov.uk/brexit.
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World Mental Health Day - 10 October 2019
Our mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Mental health challenges – such as stress, anxiety, depression and more -- affect us all. It is important to check-in with yourself and others as many people suffer in silence. Read more about Mental Health here. AKHB is hosting a session on Mental Health Awareness at the Ismaili Centre, London on 17 Nov.
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World Teacher's Day 2019
Every year on 5 October, we mark World Teacher’s Day when we honour the invaluable service that teachers offer to our community. As they shape the learning journey of our children, our magnificent teachers keep alive the tradition of seeking and sharing knowledge that is one of the keystones of our Tariqah. On World Teacher's Day 2019, we acknowledge the commitment as well as the time and energy that our teachers devote to the religious education and formation of our community.
For information on how you can support Baitul Ilms, or to register your child, please contact bai@iiuk.org
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