Technosphere: eco-friendly Earth in miniature proposed for Dubai

It’s been a while since we’ve taken a look at the weird and wonderful canvas that is Dubai’s skyline of the future, and this proposal from James Law Cybertecture would slot neatly in among radical designs like the Almeisan Tower and the spiraling ZPO. Shaped like a giant disco ball, the Technosphere is conceived as a self-sustaining model of the Earth in miniature incorporating a range of active and passive systems to meet these goals.

Health: High blood pressure leading cause

Researchers at the Aga Khan University on Thursday said that high blood pressure (HBP) is the leading cause of death in high and low income countries. Quoting a research conducted from 1990 to 1994 by the National Health Survey of Pakistan, one in every three people over the age of 45 suffers from high blood pressure.

The doctors said that despite convincing evidence, low blood pressure reduces the chances of death, heart problems, strokes and kidney disease. Blood pressure control rates remain poor in most developing countries. In Pakistan, poor health literacy, unhealthy lifestyles and a lack of awareness contribute to the high blood pressure problem, which is further compounded by a poorly regulated and disorganised health care system.

One in three suffer from high blood pressure in Pakistan

Community interventions can reduce blood pressure epidemic

Karachi, Pakistan

Training physicians and providing health care education to people in their homes through community health workers are strategies that can help in the management of the high blood pressure epidemic in the country suggests research by doctors at Aga Khan University (AKU). The AKU study – the first original research from Pakistan to be published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the official journal of the American College of Physicians – also revealed that reduced blood pressure over the long term can lead to a one-fifth decline in deaths from heart disease in urban populations.

High blood pressure is the leading cause of death in high and low income countries.

Legends: Our great knight Sir Sultan Mohammad Shah Aga Khan III

Article By Sabiha Essa Khan

“The present condition of mankind offers surely, with all its dangers and all its challenges, a chance too — a chance of establishing not just material peace among nations but that better peace of God on earth. In that endeavour Islam can play its valuable constructive part, and the Islamic world can be a strong and stabilising factor provided it is really understood and its spiritual and moral power recognised and respected.”— (Excerpt from The Memoirs of Aga Khan: World Enough and Time) in the golden history of Pakistan’s Freedom Movement, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III will always be remembered as one of the most distinguished and well-reputed leaders and diplomats. Throughout the freedom struggle, Sir Aga Khan proved to be a very responsible and productive mediator between the western world and leaders of the subcontinent. With his vast experience and a personality of international stature, he always believed that education was the ultimate tool with which Muslims of the subcontinent could be empowered and taken on the path of prosperity. 

Acquire a Rare Piece of History – Framed Stamps Commemorating the Golden Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan

This  framed set of Stamps and First Day Covers has a unique permanence and is an enduring record to be cherished by present and future generations.

In the extraordinary life of  His Highness the Aga Khan, his contributions around the world since he became the 49th Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims at the age of twenty on July 11, 1957, have been recognized, admired and cherished by numerous countries and millions of people around the world. Upon the completion of his fifty years of Imamat of the far-flung Ismaili community, a number of countries paid magnificent tribute to His Highness by issuing a variety of stamps and first day covers, during his Golden Jubilee celebrations which lasted from July 11th, 2007 until December 13th, 2008.

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Combined home/GP hypertension control program successful in Pakistan

A simple strategy of training general practitioners about hypertension control once a year, combined with teaching lay healthcare workers to educate people in their homes, led to significant reductions in blood pressure among those with hypertension, in a study performed in Pakistan. The proportion of adults with controlled BP was increased by nearly twofold among those who were exposed to both interventions, compared with either intervention alone or no intervention.

“This combined strategy is simple, is easy to scale up in a developing country, and does not require access to specialist services,” say Dr Tazeen H Jafar (Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan) and colleagues in their paper in the November 2, 2009 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Aga Khan University: World COPD Day 2009

Aga Khan University Department of Continuing Professional Education in collaboration with Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine; National Alliance for Tobacco Control, World Health Organization (Pak) and Pakistan Chest Society invites you to commemorate World COPD Day 2009: Breathless not Helpless.

Time, Date and Venue
2:00 – 4:30 pm
November 17, 2009
AKU Auditorium, Karachi, Pakistan

Download the Programe Guide

Registration is free on first come first serve basis

For further details please contact: The Aga Khan University, Pakistan

Ismaili Student Network introduces young Ismailis to university life

This autumn, many young Ismailis in the United Kingdom, like myself, began the transition to university. Although it is a time of excitement and eagerness for independence, many of us will also feel apprehension at the prospect of living away from home for the first time, and being responsible for ourselves.

Suddenly, the idea of managing our own budgets, seeking out a new group of friends, and cooking for ourselves was dauntingly real. So it was greatly reassuring to receive a personal letter from the Ismaili Student Network (ISN) inviting us to join the network, and to attend their ‘Get Fresh’ event in early September.

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Pak-US varsities join hands to help poor

KARACHI – The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the Aga Khan University (AKU) signed a memorandum of understanding today to advance their common goal to promote equitable human advancement and social justice in the less privileged parts of the world. The agreement was signed at the Capitol Building in Sacramento by Haile T. Debas, MD, executive director of Global Health Sciences at UCSF, and AKU President Firoz Rasul, in the presence of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and His Highness the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and founder and chancellor of AKU.

Article: Prince Karim Aga Khan – A True Leader of Islam

11. July 2007 marks a milestone in the history of the Ismaili Muslim community, since that day the age of 50 Year of Imamat the leader of the Ismaili Muslim community marks, Prince Karim Aga Khan 1V. He is the current (49.) Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. His contribution in the field of education, medicine, architecture, social work, institution building, relief, etc., is spectacular. He has always tried to bring the positive image of Islam to others. Beattractive personality has influenced many Muslim brothers who work for the welfare of the people. He is the direct descendant of Sir Aga Khan-111, whose contribution to the creation of Pakistan can never be forgotten.

Sony Ericsson details its first Android phone

Sony Ericsson has released details of its upcoming Xperia X10 smartphone based on Google’s Android operating system.

The X10, which had been code-named Rachel, has a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, which should make this one of the fastest Android phones yet. The phone will sport version 1.6 of Android–aka Donut–and it will run applications from the Android Market and Sony Ericsson’s PlayNow arena. The device will also feature an 8-megapixel camera, with autofocus and an LED photo light.

Expect to see the Xperia X10 in stores in the first quarter of 2010.

Article By: Flora Graham

Source: CNET

‘Pneumonia kills more children than measles, malaria, AIDS combined’

Pneumonia kills more children who are less than five years of age than measles, malaria and AIDS combined, said Dr Ghaffar Billo, professor in the department of paediatrics and child health at Aga Khan University (AKU) during a seminar held on Monday at the AKU in connection with World Pneumonia Day.

Billo said that while the disease affects children and families everywhere in the world, Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are the worst affected, as 98 per cent of infant deaths occur because of pneumonia in these regions.

Agreement of Cooperation signed between the State of California and the Ismaili Imamat – More Photos

  
 

Source: AKDN

The State of California and the Ismaili Imamat Partner to Confront Poverty

Sacramento, California: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims and founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), today signed an agreement of cooperation reaffirming their shared commitment to dedicate human and material resources to confront poverty — one of the greatest challenges facing the global economy.

Formalising and building upon past collaboration between California and the agencies of the AKDN, the agreement recognises the intention of both parties to further collaborate in areas of mutual interest.

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Tomes & Domes: Islamic Architecture Collections at Rotch Library

Tomes & Domes: Islamic Architecture Collections at Rotch Library is an exhibit that highlights items from the library’s extensive collection of materials related to architecture and planning in the Islamic world. It features items used in The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture (AKPIA) and includes photographs taken by MIT students supported by the AKPIA Travel Grant. It was funded in part by Robert M. Randolph, Chaplain to the Institute, Office of Religious Life and the Council for the Arts at MIT. The exhibit is open during library hours and will run through November 25.

For more information visit: http://info-libraries.mit.edu/rotch/

Source: MIT

Article: Mukhi Bandali Muhammad Ladha (Ladhani)

Bandali Muhammad Ladha (Ladhani) was a dedicated servant of the Imam of kutch. He migrated to Karachi with his family, and became the third Mukhi of Garden Jamatkhana in Karachi in 1905.

In those days, the Ismailis from Kutchh flocked in Karachi, making the population of Garden area over 1500. The existing premises of the Jamatkhana became too small to accommodate the Ismailis; therefore, Mukhi Muhammad Ladha donated a piece of plot, adjoining the Jamatkhana, where a new Jamatkhana was built.

A Note from the Moderator It is very proud for me that Mukhi Bandali Muhammad Ladha (Ladhani) is my great grand father. I wish and pray that with the silver light of those great silent khidmatgars, mowla will bless us alot of khidmat. Aameen. – Ahmad Ladhani

Download the complete detail article in Pdf:

 Mukhi Bandali Muhammad Ladha (Ladhani)

H.H Prince Karim Aga Khan and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sign an agreement between the Ismaili Imamat and the State of California – Photo Gallery

For download these HD pictures visit The Ismaili

Detail Article: What Is Watering Eye (epiphora)? What Causes Watering Eye (epiphora)?

Watering eye, also known as epiphora or tearing, is a condition in which there is an overflow of tears onto the face, often without a clear explanation. There is insufficient tear film drainage from the eye(s) – instead of all the tears draining through the nasolacrimal system, they overflow onto the face.

Epiphora can develop at any age. It is, however, more common among babies aged under 12 months, and adults over the age of 60 years. The condition may present symptoms in just one or both eyes.

In most cases watering eye can be treated effectively.

Depending on the severity of symptoms, watering eye can sometimes make driving difficult and dangerous.

Prince Karim Aga Khan signs landmark agreements with California and Texas

California, 2 November 2009 Mawlana Hazar Imam and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a landmark Agreement of Cooperation between the Ismaili Imamat and the State of California today. The signing, which took place at the California State Capitol, followed a meeting between Hazar Imam and the Governor, during which a range of issues of mutual interest were discussed.

Immediately after the signing of the Agreement of Cooperation, the President of the Aga Khan University and the Executive Director of Global Health Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate collaboration on a variety of health and education matters.

Governor Schwarzenegger and Mawlana Hazar Imam then walked to Stanford Mansion, where the Governor hosted a luncheon in honour of Hazar Imam. In his remarks, the Governor recognised the tremendous work of the Ismaili Imamat in improving the living conditions of people throughout the world, and working to alleviate poverty.

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AKU: First-ever World Pneumonia Day observed

‘Pneumonia kills more children than measles, malaria and AIDS combined’

KARACHI: Health experts of the Aga Khan University (AKU) have said that pneumonia is one of the most lethal diseases in the world and it kills more children, under five years of age, as compared to other fatal diseases like measles, malaria and AIDS, even if all three are combined.

As a part of the message on World Pneumonia Day, celebrated around the world on November 2, the experts said the world’s leading child killer is not measles or malaria, but in fact pneumonia, which can be prevented by existing vaccines or treated with inexpensive antibiotics. They also said that while the disease affects children and families everywhere, it has the most impact in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where 98 percent of all deaths occur due to pneumonia.

Aga Khan University and University of California, San Francisco form Partnership to Help the Underprivileged

 The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the Aga Khan University (AKU) signed a memorandum of understanding today to advance their common goal to promote equitable human advancement and social justice in the less privileged parts of the world. The agreement was signed at the Capitol Building in Sacramento by Haile T Debas, MD, executive director of Global Health Sciences at UCSF, and AKU President Firoz Rasul, in the presence of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and founder and Chancellor of AKU.

“This partnership strengthens UCSF’s mission to advance health worldwide by promoting the development of human resources for health,” said Debas at the signing ceremony. “AKU’s highly regarded, community-based nursing and medical education in Africa and Asia will enable UCSF to extend its commitment to working collaboratively to improve health and reduce disease around the world.”

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Aga Khan University: Pneumonia in children – the forgotten killer

Karachi, Pakistan; November 2, 2009: The world’s leading child killer is not measles or malaria, but pneumonia, which can be prevented through existing vaccines or treated with inexpensive antibiotics to reduce the number of children dying from this disease in Pakistan, said experts at Aga Khan University (AKU) on World Pneumonia Day.

Pneumonia kills more children under five than measles, malaria, and AIDS combined. While the disease affects children and families everywhere, it has the most impact in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where 98 per cent of all deaths from pneumonia occur. In Pakistan, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in every five child deaths is from pneumonia. This disease must be tackled if United Nations Millennium Development Goal 4 for reducing child mortality is to be met.

Speeches of Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III By K.K Aziz

Selected Speeches of Sir Sultan Mohammed Shah Aga Khan III By K.K Aziz.

Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan (1877-1957) was the 48th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. Through his intimate knowledge of diverse cultural traditions, he was uniquely placed to play a significant role in the international affairs of his time, and his long public career had many dimensions. Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah was a social reformer whose concerns included the alleviation of rural poverty and the upliftment of women in society. An advocate of modern education, he became an ardent supporter of male and female educational advancement in India and East Africa.

In 1998, Kegan Paul International published a selection of Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah’s speeches and writings, which was edited, annotated and introduced by Professor K K Aziz, a leading scholar of the history of the Indian Subcontinent. (Source: IIS)

 

To download the complete set of speeches in Pdf format visit Speeches Section in Education Page

Sir Aga Khan III Remembered (1877 – 2009)

Article By: Munir Moosa Sewani

The Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims commemorate 132nd birthday of Highness Sir Aga Khan III on 2nd November 2009, all over the world.

Sir Aga Khan 111 was born on Friday November 2, 1877 at “Honeymoon Lodge” in Karachi. He proved to be an Intellectual asset for the Muslim Ummah. He was among the prominent leaders of South Asia, who helped in laying the strong foundation of Pakistan. He was respected for his extensive knowledge about Islam, for his philanthropy and for his commitment to human dignity. He contributed not only towards the political cause of the Muslims of sub continent, but also promoted education and health sectors for the development of Muslims.

He was one of the founders and the first president of the All-India Muslim League.

Aga Khan III: A great leader and a social reformer

Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan-III (1877-1957) was a renowned nineteeth and twentieth century leader of international stature. Born in Karachi on November 2, 1877, he became a world statesman, “guide, philosopher and the friend of the world of Islam” (Qayyum, 1969).

Through his intimate knowledge of Eastern as well as Western cultures (K.K Aziz, 1998), he was uniquely placed to play a significant role in the international affairs of his time, and his long public career had many dimensions. He was a member of the Indian Imperial Legislative Council from 1902 to 1904, president of the All-India Muslim League from 1906 to 1913, and founder of the All-India Muslim Conference (1928-29).

H.H Prince Karim Aga Khan and The Governor Rick Perry sign an agreement between the Ismaili Imamat and the State of Texas – Photo Gallery

For viewing and downloading these HD pitures visit The Ismaili

Aga Khan University: World Diabetes Day

November 14, 2009

Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi is commemorating World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2009 to discuss the prevention, complications, best diet and treatment for diabetes.

Time and Venue
2:00 - 5:00 pm
AKU Auditorium, Karachi, Pakistan

 

Topics	Speakers
Prevention of diabetes and its complications	Dr Najmul Islam, Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist
What is the best diet for diabetics?	Ms Faiza Shoaib, Clinical Nutritionist
Keep in touch with your diabetes	Ms Saira Suleman Hudani, Diabetes Nurse Educator
Treating diabetes – present and future	Dr Jaweed Akhter, Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist
Patients’ Experiences
Panel Discussion	Dr Abdul Jabbar, Dr Naeem Ul Haque, Dr Qamar Masood, Dr Aisha Sheikh, Ms Noor Jehan Allana and Dr Romana Iqbal

Health Stalls from 2:00 – 3:00 pm

For further details, please contact:
Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi

IIS Scholar Investigates Perceptions of Youth in Northern Pakistan

Dr Najam Abbas recently investigated Pakistani youth’s contribution to social transformation in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. During his month long fieldwork, Dr Abbas used questionnaires and focus groups to ask young people a series of questions, including whether they perceive themselves and those around them as happy, successful, optimistic or content. He contextualised these responses through interviews with local intellectuals, including educators, artists and writers.

The study analyses primary data, shedding light on young people’s perceptions of the nature of their own society. It attempts to unpack the relations between different social sectors, identifying the limitations and opportunities faced by youth from the mountainous Northern Areas. Dr Abbas is seeking to establish what empowers youth in this challenging setting so as to suggest measures for effective youth development in that society.

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Cookery classes inspire new interest in cooking traditional foods

Recognising that a younger generation of Ismailis in the United Kingdom are less likely to know how to cook traditional foods, members of the Youth Cultural and Social Network — a committee of the Ismaili Council for the United Kingdom’s Youth and Sports Portfolio — recently organised a series of cookery classes. The classes were designed to be interactive and not overly complex. Simple dishes were selected that participants at any skill level would feel comfortable replicating in their own homes. A suitable venue was found, and prospective participants were invited to Come Cook with Auntyji.

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One day free test workshop in Hyderabad organised by Aga Khan University

Source: E Jung