The Ismaili Jamat in Canada is a vibrant and diverse community, with origins from various regions across the globe, including parts of Africa, Asia, Europe and Central Asia.

Explore the traditions and practices of Ismaili communities from around the world, as well as the last century of the Jamat's history through an engaging presentation by scholar Rizwan Mawani. The presentation will take place at Meadowvale Jamatkhana on Tuesday, May 7 after Jamati ceremonies and is suitable for all members of the Jamat including families and younger members. 

Through the presentation, Rizwan will take us through the last two centuries of what it has meant to be Ismaili in different parts of the world - and what this means for the Jamat in Canada. He will also help us revisit our assumptions about the stories we tell ourselves about the Jamat in Canada, and globally, and explore what this means for the work that we do with and within the Jamat.

Based in Vancouver, B.C, Rizwan Mawani has a background in anthropology and religious studies. His research focuses on Muslim diversity and pluralism with specific reference to spaces of worship, ritual practice, and forms of religious authority. Some of this research is included in his book Beyond the Mosque: Diverse Spaces of Muslim Worship (2019) as well as in encyclopedia and academic articles. He has conducted field research with more than 50 Muslim communities across 17 countries and numerous cultures from Senegal and Iran to China and Indonesia.