Simerg is an independent platform that focuses on the dissemination of knowledge about the faith, culture and news pertaining to the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims led by their Hereditary Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, through literary readings as well as artistic and textual expressions. It also brings to its readers news, events and programs that are of interest to all readers, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Simerg supports 2 more independent initiatives, Barakah.com and Simergphotos.com
“The Wrong Bashir found the right audience on opening night if gales of laughter are any indication. From the curtain opener to the surprise at curtain fall, the sold-out crowd at the Firehall had a grand time. The Wrong Bashir is going to be a big hit; for some, it will be a laugh-yourself-silly evening” — Jo Ledingham, Vancouver Theatre Review
Following a fully sold-out run and critical acclaim for the Vancouver world premiere, Crow’s Theatre has announced the Toronto premiere of the new Ismaili comedy, The Wrong Bashir. The play will open in Toronto next year on May 21st 2024 and run until June 9th, 2024.
The play was met with enthusiastic full-houses and positive reviews in Vancouver — leading the prestigious Toronto theatre to pick up the new play as part of its bold, ambitious and imaginative 2023-2024 season.
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The full cast of The Wrong Bashir take the stage in Vancouver. Photograph: Matt Reznek
Last week, Crow’s Theatre issued a special call for Ismaili actors to audition. They are seeking Ismaili actors for roles of many different ages and types. The full casting call link is available HERE.
For some of the roles (Nani, Nana, Gulzar) varying levels (and less experience in acting) is welcome. For the roles of Al-Nashir, Mansour, Bashir, and Nafisa, acting experience is required.
As exemplified by initiatives such as Jubilee Arts, there is hidden artistic talent in the community, and the theatre welcomes Ismailis interested to audition. Auditions began in April and the directors hope to wrap up in the next few weeks, so interested applicants are encouraged to submit as soon as possible. To submit, send a resume and headshot in one attachment to Director Paolo Santalucia (paolo@crowstheatre.com). Questions can be directed to thewrongbashirplay@gmail.com, and full information on how to submit is available at thisLINK.
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Shera Haji, Leena Manro, and Aman Mann in the Vancouver production of The Wrong Bashir. Photograph: Matt Reznek.
Hussein Janmohamed, Parm Soor, and Aman Mann were among the stars in Vancouver’s rendition of The Wrong Bashir, which received a world premiere in BC in March 2023. Photograph: Matt Reznek.
The Play
The Wrong Bashir is Burnaby-born Ismaili playwright Zahida Rahemtulla’s debut play. It follows Bashir Ladha, a young philosophy major who has drifted from his Ismaili roots. Bashir’s parents receive a call that their wayward son has been selected as Student’s Mukhisaheb (congregational leader in Ismaili Jamatkhana), and they dutifully accept on his behalf. Before Bashir has a chance to argue, two official committee representatives arrive at the Ladha household.
As the two representatives slowly begin to realise a possible mistake in selection, the doorbell rings and Bashir’s excited grandparents and family friend make a surprise visit, having caught wind of the news in their Jamatkhana. The fun begins and much hilarity ensues as everyone struggles to keep up a farce. Reflections about tradition, the second-generation, and community are all brought to life in this heartfelt comedy, which also affectionately brings to life much of the humour that exists within Ismaili communities.
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Playwright Zahida Rahemtulla and Director Paolo Santalucia
Zahida Rahemtulla, playwright of The Wrong Bashir.
Zahida Rahemtulla is a playwright and short story writer. Her debut play, The Wrong Bashir, premiered with Touchstone Theatre in Vancouver and was recently picked up for Toronto premiere with Crow’s Theatre, which has been a leading force in new play creation in the Canadian theatre landscape. Zahida currently facilitates Parragon Theatre’s East of Tarragon Project in Scarborough and is passionate about education and working on new plays and with new playwrights.
Paolo Santalucia, director of The Wrong Bashir.
Paolo Santalucia is an award-winning actor, director and writer. He is a graduate of the Soulpepper Academy, and has been a member of Soulpepper’s ensemble for the past ten seasons. Paolo is a co-founder and Artistic Leader of the award-winning Howland Company. Paolo also teaches classical performance with the University of Toronto’s Theatre and Drama Studies Program, and is the recipient of two Dora Mavor Moore Awards in acting, one nomination for direction, and has been shortlisted for the John Hirsch Award for Directing.
UPDATE MAY 9, 2023:Due to the severity of wildfires in Alberta, this special event commemorating the coronation of King Charles III has been cancelled.
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta is joining with the University of Alberta in a special celebration to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden in Edmonton. The celebration will feature free public admission to the Botanic Garden throughout the day, and an afternoon program to include performances by the Treaty 6 Singers and Dancers (Aga Khan Garden, 1:30 PM), the RCMP Pipes and Drums (Pine Pavilion, 2:15 PM), the Royal Canadian Artillery Band (Aga Khan Garden Amphitheatre, 3:00 PM) and Kita no Taiko Japanese Drummers (Kurimoto Japanese Garden, 3:45 PM.)
The official program will commence at 1:00 pm at the Aga Khan Garden’s beautiful Talar building with greetings by Her Honour, the Honourable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.
A view of Aga Khan Garden’s magnificent Talar Building, where Her Honour, the Honourable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta will offer greetings on Saturday, May 13, 2023, before the commencement of special musical events celebrating the coronation of King Charles III.Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg.
Here is a brief description of the bands that will be performing at the Coronation celebration:
Treaty 6 Singers and Dancers (Aga Khan Garden)
For our readers’ information, Treaty 6 encompasses 17 First Nations in central Alberta including the Dene Suliné, Cree, Nakota Sioux and Saulteaux peoples. Treaties are the law of the land in the relationship between First Nations and the rest of Canada.
The peoples of the Treaty 6 area have diverse cultural traditions that are reflected in their musical and dance styles. All of these groups regard music and dance as vital parts of their lives. For them, music has a strong presence in their lives; in ceremonies, rituals, prayer, and various other spiritual practices. Along with dance, it is a means to unite people with each other and with the Creator. Dancers follow the beat of the drum, which is interpreted as a continuation of the Earth’s heartbeat – the same heartbeat that unites all people and is first heard inside the mother’s womb.
Today, music and dance continue to play a vital role in the spiritual and cultural lives of the Treaty 6 peoples.
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The Royal Canadian Artillery Band (Aga Khan Garden, amphitheatre)
The Band provides music for military parades and ceremonial occasions, formal concerts, government functions, tattoos, and special events. The RCA Band performs as a 35 piece Brass / Reed Parade Band, a 35-piece Concert Band, as well as in various smaller configurations.
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The RCMP Pipes and Drums (Pine Pavilion)
RCMP Pipes and Drums will perform at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden’s Pines Pavilion on Saturday, May 13, 2023 in honour of the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey, London, on May 6, 2023. Photograph: RCMP Pipes and Drums.
The RCMP Regimental Pipes and Drums of Alberta is comprised of Civilian, Military and RCMP members. The band is a not for profit group with members throughout Alberta that promote the RCMP within Alberta and nationally. The band uniform consists of the RCMP scarlet tunic and the RCMP tartan kilt. This uniform is recognized world wide and represents a national institution.
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Kita no Taiko Japanese Drummers (Kurimoto Japanese Garden)
This drumming group is one of the oldest Japanese drumming groups in North America and will enthrall the audience through the powerful, beautiful sound of the taiko (drum). Watch how taiko combines dynamic music, primal rhythms, and the human spirit to create an unforgettable artistic experience.
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Coronation Celebration of King Charles III
Please click on image to visit the Lt. Governor of Alberta website for further information about the coronation celebration event.
Date posted: May 8, 2023. Last updated: May 9, 2023 (event cancelled.)
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Material for this post was compiled from the following websites:
Khatoon Noonan presents her dish “Pickling Mutton Curry” which won Cook for the King competition to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. Photograph: University of the 3rd Age (u3a).
By SHIRAZ PRADHAN (special to Simerg)
During the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, Khatoon Noonan was in primary school at the small village of Kumi in Uganda. Being a British protectorate, Uganda had a public holiday and Kumi had a fair to attend and a village party to celebrate the Queen’s Coronation. During the party, Khatoon’s mother dearly called by all as ‘Maa’ had cooked her eclectic dishes for the invited dignitaries including the District Commissioner and local Saza Chiefs. Even in those days, Maa’s culinary fame was recognized far and wide, especially her pickling dishes.
Little had Khatoon dreamt that in the 21st century, in May 2023, she would have the singular accolade of being the winner of Nationwide “Cook for the King” competition to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III in her adopted home of London. Her mouth-watering winning entry is an epitome of Khoja Ismaili Fusion cooking.
Aptly named “Pickling Mutton Curry,” Khatoon cleverly blended fragrant and environmentally friendly spices and local ingredients with meat favoured by King Charles to encourage local farming community. These were some of the stringent requirement of the u3a competition. The judges, some of whom are from national TV and culinary talk-show, had rave reviews about her creation which has attracted national attention.
A career bio-chemist Khatoon was a natural cook, given her deep interest in chemistry. Her childhood interest in cooking were encouraged by observing her mother and two elder sisters in the kitchen, feeding a growing family of ten children, granny and a regular stream of travellers and guests who would drop-by (there being no eateries in the village or vicinity.) Besides the Khoja Ismaili cuisine from native Kathiawad, being the family staple, Swahili East-Africa costal and Gujarati vegetarian cuisines figured prominently in Khatoon’s family. This was rounded-off with adaptation of fragrant local, fresh Ugandan products which unlocked natural flavours a thousand-fold. Khatoon absorbed all this knowhow like a sponge.
Always a brand-ambassador of Khoja Ismaili cooking, Khatoon’s experimentation with fusion of Ismaili cuisine with other cuisine began when she attended the remote St. Mary’s Convent at Namagunga, Uganda, for her A-levels. The cheery-nuns were her companions and mentors and she started to blend Western and Middle-Eastern cuisines with her native Ismaili cooking. The results were stunning. The honing of these experimental efforts continued through her undergraduate at Makerere and later at Newcastle University where she was studying for her post-graduate in bio-chemistry. Uprooted from Uganda, Khatoon had to now adopt her cooking with English ingredients. But she was well-equipped with the skill-sets and this would set the stage for the later phase of her life.
Always eager to share her skill and cooking with other, Khatoon wrote several cook books, her magnum opus being, “My Life through Food”, packed with recipes handed-down from generation to generation but moderated with local ingredients to unlock the fragrance and aromas of meats and vegetables. She regularly runs a South Asian cooking demonstration classes in her kitchen under the umbrella of u3a (University of the Third Age).
The Crowning Jewel to Khatoon’s life came when she participated in u3a’s “Cook for the King.” All her skill, knowledge and years of experimentation came to fruition with her winning entry “Pickling Mutton Curry”, a simple enough dish fit for a King.
Date posted: May 7, 2023.
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Feedback
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About the contributor
Shiraz Pradhan
About the contributor: Shiraz Pradhan, in parallel with his work as an international engineering consultant, has contributed for several years to furthering religious education among the Shia Ismaili Muslim community in the UK, Canada, USA and Japan. He is the author of several articles published on this website and was a regular contributor to UK’s flagship Ismaili magazine, Ilm. Currently he is concluding the script of a full-length play of the 10th Century trial of the Sufi Saint Mansur al-Hallaj in Baghdad based on historical facts. He is also the Chairperson for the Association for the Study of Ginans (ASG), an organization that has in recent years established close collaborations with institutions around the world, hosted several Ginan conferences, online webinars and Ginan mehfils.
Further reading
u3a Cook for the King — a competition to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III — has crowned its winner. To celebrate the coronation, u3a members were challenged to create Coronation recipes Fit for a King, while considering sustainability and the UK’s partnership with the Commonwealth. The winner, Khatoon Noonan, drew on her Ugandan, Indian and British heritage to prepare the winning dish ….READ MORE
“Toronto’s Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood has long been a welcoming starting point for immigrants to Canada. Now, IMARA National, on behalf of the city’s Ismaili community, is proposing to replace their existing facilities on Overlea Boulevard with an architecturally adventurous redevelopment that better suits the growing community’s needs” — Anthony Teles writing for Urban Toronto, February 2, 2023.
In a post dated January 21, 2023, Simerg reported about a new Ismaili Cultural Centre housing and Jamatkhana that is being proposed in Port Moody, British Columbia. In the introductory piece we also provided a link to an excellent piece on the website of Anthem Properties containing renditions of the building and other pertinent details.
Now, two weeks after the Port Moody article and as Toronto along with the rest of Ontario is gripped with some of the coldest temperatures recorded, we are pleased to provide a link to a report by Anthony Teles in Urban Toronto under the heading Ismaili Community Centre and Jamatkhana Proposed for Redevelopment in Thorncliffe Park (please click on the link to read Anthony’s report that includes more renditions of the Jamatkhana building as well as other important details.)
Looking southeast from William Morgan Drive to the Don Mills, Ismaili Community Centre and Jamatkhana, as designed by architects-Alliance for IMARA National, an Ismaili institution that oversees the development of Ismaili Jamatkhanas in Canada. Click on photo for full report in Urban Toronto
In its coverage, Urban Toronto notes that the site is where the Don Mills Jamatkhana is currently located in a one-storey building, in a vibrant multi-cultural neighbourhood, Thorncliffe Park, north of the Don Valley Parkway and south of Eglinton Avenue. The author of this post, Malik, is familiar with the location. It is a 7-10 minute drive to the Ontario Science on Don Mills Road and then another 3-5 drive to the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Museum on Wynford Drive, the block now ceremoniously called the Aga Khan Boulevard. These locations will be served by a new Light Rail Transit (LRT) railway line later this year. The LRT station near the Museum is aptly named Aga Khan Park & Museum (see photograph, below.)
The new Aga Khan Park & Museum station on Toronto’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) on Eglington Line, as pictured during its contruction phase; September 2020. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
The Don Mills and the York Mills areas of Toronto have the highest concentration of Ismailis in Canada. Within a radius of 5-10 kms from the Ismaili Centre on 49 Wynford Drive or Aga Khan Boulevard, there are currently three Jamatkhanas — the Don Mills, which would be replaced with the new project, East York and Willowdale. Of course there are several other Jamatkhanas in the Greater Toronto region including Richmond Hill in the north, Scarborough in the east and Etobicoke, Brampton and Mississauga in the west. There is also a Jamatkhana catering to the Ismaili community in the downtown area.
Date posted: February 4, 2023. Last updated: February 6, 2023 (formatting and typos.)
REVIEW SIMERG’S TABLE OF CONTENTS AND VISIT ITS SISTER WEBSITES
Before departing this website, please take a moment to review Simerg’s Table of Contents for links to hundreds of thought-provoking pieces on a vast array of subjects including faith and culture, history and philosophy, and arts and letters to name a few. Also visit Simerg’s sister websites Barakah, dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan, and Simergphotos. The editor may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com.
According to Wikipedia, “Port Moody is a city in British Columbia, Canada, and a member municipality of the Metro Vancouver Regional District. It envelops the east end of Burrard Inlet and is the smallest of the Tri-Cities, bordered by Coquitlam on the east and south and by Burnaby on the west.”
A new Ismaili Cultural Centre housing a Jamatkhana is being proposed in the city to replace the one further to the west that had to close down due to structural problems. Veteran journalist Mario Bartel presents a report dated January 18, 2023 in TRICITY News about the proposed cultural centre that would also include a 12-sorey residential rental tower. Please read Bartel’s report by clicking HERE or on image below.
Artistic rendering of the proposed Ismaili Cultural Centre to be located at 3180 St. Johns Street, Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada. Photograph: IBI Group/Anthem Properties.
REVIEW SIMERG’S TABLE OF CONTENTS AND VISIT ITS SISTER WEBSITES
Before departing this website, please take a moment to review Simerg’s Table of Contents for links to hundreds of thought-provoking pieces on a vast array of subjects including faith and culture, history and philosophy, and arts and letters to name a few. Also visit Simerg’s sister websites Barakah, dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan, and Simergphotos. The editor may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com.
“Be it briyani, masala fish, kuku paka (from main dishes), dal, moong curry, sonia (from basic recipes), or dhokra, fried masala cassava, chicken samosas (from snacks), you will now be able to make these from the step-by-step method given. Mom’s Caramel Pudding is delicious and worth attempting” — Excerpt from back cover, “Cooking with Mom”, by Rozina Ramji
Simerg: What is behind the naming of the title of the book?
Rozina Ramji: To leave a legacy of my Mom’s cooking which the family has enjoyed for decades. Cooking has been a big part of our family culture and I have memories of the ladies (Grandmas, Aunts, and Mom) all cooking together, sharing techniques and conversing with each other. The cookbook was to cook with Mom and sharing time with her. I didn’t want to lose Mom’s recipes. The book is a great way to thank Mom and honour her and, thus, the title “Cooking with Mom.”
Simerg: Why would you want me or my family members to read the book, and what will we all learn from it?
Rozina: You’ll learn about the key recipes from African/Indian blend as well as common foods that are usually served in most homes that come from East Africa. With the step-by-step method to the recipe and the photos, anyone wishing to cook will easily create it.
[The editor recommends that readers read Rozina Ramji’s beautiful and inspiring introduction to “Cooking with Mom” – see image, below, and click on it for enlargement]
Rozina Ramji’s introduction to “Cooking with Mom.” Photograph: Rozina Ramji, Edmonton. Please click on image for enlargement
Simerg: What inspired you to write Cooking with Mom?
Rozina: I remember my son and daughter asking me to make chicken samosas and shrimp curry that my Mom makes. I realized that it didn’t turn out like Mom’s. It’s at that point I decided I wanted to cook with Mom and learn about the ingredients, the steps to each recipe and any tips and tricks she could share.
In this way and with the backing of my children and other younger members of my family, I decided to write Cooking with Mom. It is fully illustrated, and I think even novices and those who find cooking somewhat daunting will be inspired to start cooking with the recipes I have provided in the book. I also invite expert cooks who specialize in other forms of cooking — Canadian, North American as well as ethnic — to explore and to try some of recipes that I have provided.
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Cover page of Rozina Ramji’s book “Cooking with Mom.” Published by Litfire, September 2018, 122 pp. Available as paperback and hardcover.
Praise for Cooking with Mom
“The Cooking with Mom cookbook is one of the most interesting in my home library! The recipes are easy to understand, and the pictures are very helpful; they depict not only the finished dishes but also key steps in the preparation process. Packed with 41 recipes, the book is divided into 7 categories covering the gamut of Indian cuisine: main dishes, curries, rice dishes, east Indian bread, snacks, sweet things and drinks. I love the chicken biryani and my husband is wild about this particular recipe. My husband is not the most proficient person in the kitchen, but he did a credible job with the kheer (rice pudding.) We both enjoy Indian food and can’t wait to try out more of the recipes. Whether you’re an accomplished meal maker or a just a novice starting out in Indian cuisine, you won’t go wrong with this book!” — Joan Sinclair
A 2-page spread from Rozina Ramji’s “Cooking with Mum” illustrating how to make the famous East African kachori (potato balls). Photograph: Rozina Ramji, Edmonton.
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Simerg: How can I purchase the book and what are its available formats?
Rozina: First of all, Cooking with Mom can be ordered directly from the publisher Litfire. You can also acquire it from major on-line stores such as Amazon, Indigo and Barnes and Nobles, among many other booksellers. The book is available both in paperback and hardcover.
Simerg: How did you find a publisher for the book?
Rozina: I was making inquiries about publishing and happened to talk to someone from LitFire publishing. They were very encouraging and told me about the support they provide. I felt comfortable.
Simerg: Did you hire an editor, an illustrator or did you do all the work by yourself?
Rozina: While I was cooking with my Mom, I took photos of everything and wrote down every recipe. Then the family tried to create food while following the recipe and asked questions. In this way, I tried my best to perfect the steps. My sister Bilkis along with my husband Alnasir helped with the book’s editing.
Simerg: Which was your first book and how many have you written?
Rozina:Cooking with Mom is my first book. I would love to write a sequel with other delicious recipes not included in the first.
Simerg: How long did it take you to write Cooking with Mom from start to finish and to begin marketing it?
Rozina: It took a year. I had been wanting to write a cookbook with Mom for several years but this dream only materialized in 2018.
Simerg: Tell us something more about your book.
Rozina: The cookbook has mouthwatering recipes that are not difficult to make like biryani, masala fish, dal, vegetable curries and then snacks like chicken samosas, dhokras, kebabs, sweet thaplas etc. Some drinks that are popular like kadho, lassi, sherbets and masala chai are also included. This is a book everyone will be able to follow, and those who do not cook will say that they now love to cook.
Date posted: November 11, 2022.
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Get your own copy of Rozina Ramji’s Cooking with Mom. Order it from the publisher Litfire or other major on-line stores such as Amazon, Indigo and Barnes and Nobles. We welcome feedback from our readers. Please click LEAVE A COMMENT. Your letter may be edited for length and brevity and is subject to moderation.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rozina Ramji (left), and sister Bilkis Jiwa with their mom Gulshan Jiwa (centre).
Born and raised in Uganda, Rozina Ramji was pursuing her higher secondary education in the UK, when her parents, Pyarali and Gulshan Jiwa, were forced to flee Uganda following Idi Amin’s 1972 decree expelling South Asians from the country. Rozina’s parents settled in Edmonton and went on to open grocery stores that, among other items, sold ethnic groceries from around the world. Rozina joined her parents in Edmonton in 1973 and pursued a degree majoring in Education at the University of Alberta. She then commenced a long career in teaching with the Edmonton Public School Board, where she taught general subjects as well as math/science to students from SK to Grade 12. At the same time, she became engaged within her Ismaili Muslim community by volunteering in Ismaili institutions in numerous capacities, including giving Baitul Ilm (BUI) classes to Ismaili children and youth. Also, Rozina and her husband Alnasir were appointed to officiate as Kamadiani and Kamadia of the Edmonton Ismaili Headquarters Jamatkhana. She has two children; her son is a doctor while her daughter has completed her master’s program in Dispute Resolution. Indeed, it was at her children’s insistence that Rozina decided to write “Cooking with Mom” and she remains grateful to them for their inspiration.
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Calling all Ismaili Authors
We encourage Ismaili writers to introduce their books in a similar format as has been done in the post above. Please also see the series launch article and submit your responses to Malik at mmerchant@simerg.com. All submissions will be acknowledged. If a writer has published multiple books, each book will be highlighted in a separate article, and not combined with other books into one post. All writers should include a brief profile with a portrait photo.
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Links to the Ismaili Authors’ Series (in chronological sequence, oldest article first):
Before departing this website please take a moment to review Simerg’s Table of Contents for links to hundreds of thought provoking pieces on a vast array of subjects including faith and culture, history and philosophy, and arts and letters to name a few. Also visit Simerg’s sister websites Barakah, dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan, and Simergphotos.
For Valentine’s day today, Monday February 14, Simerg’s sister website presents some extraordinary Valentine’s Day cards from the Digital Collections of The Henry Ford, dating back to the 1850’s. Please click Simerg Photos or on the image below.
In this referral post, our two images reflect our wish that world leaders will make every effort to seek out peace. The world is looking extremely dangerous at the moment with conflicts everywhere, that are multiplied even more with the challenges we have all faced over the last two years dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Leaders — please seek to bring conflicts to an end.
Please click on image for more photos.
Date posted: February 12, 2022.
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Before leaving this website please take a moment to visit Simerg’s Table of Contents for links to hundreds of thought provoking pieces on a vast array of subjects including faith and culture, history and philosophy, and arts and letters to name a few. Also, visit Simerg’s sister websites Barakah, dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan, and Simergphotos. The editor of the 3 websites, Malik, may be reached at mmerchant@barakah.com.
UPDATE (February 19, 2022): With over 100,000 votes cast during the last three weeks, ArchDaily has announced the 2022 ArchDaily Building of the Year Awards. The new but yet to be opened Ismaili Jamatkhana and Community Centre in Mumbai was nominated for the award in the religious building category (see story below) but did not come out as the winner. Readers can meet the winners for all the categories by clicking on Winners.
Our attention has been drawn by a reader to ArchDaily’s 2022 building awards, in which a new yet to be opened Ismaili Jamatkhana and Community Centre in Mumbai has been nominated as one of the buildings for the award in the religious buildings category. The following piece is compiled from Archdaily, NUDES (the website of the Jamatkhana’s design company), and a recent Mumbai Diary column in the e-paper Mid-Day — Ed.
For the 13th consecutive year, ArchDaily, the most visited architecture website worldwide, is asking its readers with the responsibility of recognizing and rewarding the projects that are making an impact in the profession with ArchDaily’s 2022 Building of the Year Awards. The nomination phase began on January 25th, 2022 and ends on February 9th, 2022, following which five projects per category that also includes religious buildings will move into the finalists stage, starting February 9th and ending on February 17th. Thus readers will be filtering over 4,500 projects down to just 15 stand-outs.
One of the candidates nominated for the award in the religious buildings category is the Ismaili Jamatkhana & Community Centre located in the neighbourhood of Oshiwara in the western suburban region of Mumbai.
No firm date has yet been established for the Jamatkhana’s opening. The building was designed by city based architectural firm NUDES, whose principal Nuru Karim has worked on a host of institutional projects both in competition/ schematic design and design development stages.
A collection of some 20 photographs of the Jamatkhana and Community Centre taken by Nazim Lokhandwalla are posted on the ArchDaily website.
Ismaili Jamatkhana and Community Centre, Mumbai, India. Photo: Nazim Lokhandwalla/Via Archdaily. Please click on image for more photos on Archdaily.
Writing in the Mumbai Diary column of mid-day under the title All eyes on Oshiwara’s new architectural wonder, the diarist quotes Nuru Karim as saying, “The Jamatkhana and Community Centre design explores the relationship between light, Islamic geometrical patterns, and built form to create an experiential space”. Karim goes on to explain that Islamic geometrical patterns are analysed to develop arrays of multi-sided polygons, thereby creating “Mashrabiya,” that stems from “Ashrab,” meaning “to drink.” The diarist further notes that the term which was originally defined as a space to drink water, evolved later as a space to cool water stored in earthen pots.
We invite all our readers to visit the page highlighting nominations for religious buildings, learn more about the features of the buildings and cast their votes for the building that impresses them the most. The voting for the Ismaili Jamatkhana may be submitted HERE. Readers who wish to vote are required to create an Archdaily email account or sign in via their Google or Facebook account.
Date posted: February 4, 2022. Last updated: February 19, 2022 (see announcement at top, re : Winners)
Featured photo at top of post: Ismaili Jamatkhana and Community Centre, Mumbai, India. Photo: Nazim Lokhandwalla/Via Archdaily. Please click HERE for more photos of the project on Archdaily.
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Before leaving this website please take a moment to visit Simerg’s Table of Contents for links to hundreds of thought provoking pieces on a vast array of subjects including faith and culture, history and philosophy, and arts and letters to name a few. Also, visit Simerg’s sister websites Barakah, dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan, and Simergphotos.
At not quite 8 years old, Sanam is a bacha posh: a girl living as a boy. One day a few months ago, the girl with rosy cheeks and an impish smile had her dark hair cut short, donned boys’ clothes and took on a boy’s name, Omid. The move opened up a boy’s world: playing soccer and cricket with boys, wrestling with the neighborhood butcher’s son, working to help the family make ends meet — READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE BY ASSOCIATED PRESS AT VOICE OF AMERICA
A photo of Najieh dressed as a boy at a young age lies in a grass, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. Please click on image to read full article. Photo: Associated Press.
Date posted: January 16, 2022.
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Before leaving this website please take a moment to visit Simerg’s Table of Contents for links to hundreds of thought provoking pieces on a vast array of subjects including faith and culture, history and philosophy, and arts and letters to name a few. Also, visit Simerg’s sister websites Barakah, dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan, and Simergphotos.
Important Notice to Readers of Simerg, Simergphotos and Barakah
Effective January 13, 2022, no new posts will be published in Simerg and its two sister websites Barakah and Simergphotos until the first week in February. The editor is on the move, and hopes to resume publication on Friday, February 4, 2022. During this period, readers are invited to access hundreds of articles via the Table of Contents pages of Simerg, Barakah and Simergphotos. Thank you.
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We invite our reader’s to enjoy the following recent pieces on Simerg’s sister websites Barakah and Simergphotos. Please click on the hyperlink or corresponding image to read article.
Simerg - Insights from Around the World 