Friday Night Reflections: From a Single Soul - Unity in Diversity

Date:
Friday, May 21, 2021
Start Time:
8:30 PM ET
End Time:
11:59 PM ET

Today marks World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, a day in which we can deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and inclusion.

Join host Zulekha Nathoo this evening, as we sit down to hear some of the unique and inspiring stories from multi-faith family members in our Jamat. Alwaez Karim Thomas, Vice President of the Council for Canada, joins us to share reflections on how we can continue to build a more inclusive community, and embrace a cosmopolitan ethic in our daily lives. As always we will conclude the evening with musical expressions to refresh and renew.

  • Join us and watch together on iiCanada.live in English or in Farsi

  • A second broadcast will be shown at 8:30 pm Pacific | 9:30 pm Mountain

  • Highlights from the Global Jubilee Arts Festival will be shown 15 minutes before the broadcast

Friday Night Reflections: You Are Not Alone

Date:
Friday, May 7, 2021
Start Time:
8:30 PM ET
End Time:
11:59 PM ET

A startling 40% of Canadians say their mental health has deteriorated since the onset of the pandemic. We are in the midst of a period of unprecedented stress and anxiety related to the COVID crisis and other environmental factors. When we recognize and acknowledge these stresses, we can better ask - how can I take care of my own mental health, and support others who may be facing such challenges?

This evening on Friday Night Reflections, we commemorate Mental Health Week with an important conversation about how we can better cope with the stresses and strains of life in difficult times, and support our loved ones to do the same. Join host Aliya Noorani in conversation with psychotherapist Alwaeza Dr. Saira Sabzaali as they explore how we can help ourselves and others bust the stigma around mental health and illness, and speak more openly and honestly about the feelings and emotions that we all face.

  • Join us and watch together on iiCanada.live in English or in Farsi

  • A second broadcast will be shown at 8:30 pm Pacific | 9:30 pm Mountain

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Note: If you are struggling with these issues yourself, you may want to watch this episode with someone you trust, or consider whether it is right for you. If you ever feel you need someone to talk with, please reach out to a member of the Jamati leadership, the Jamati Access Line, a family member or friend, or call a local helpline. Remember that you are not alone, and talking about it helps.

Friday Night Reflections: Struggle, Service and Sacrifice - Stories of our Heroes

Date:
Friday, February 19, 2021
Start Time:
8:30 PM ET
End Time:
11:59 PM ET

Devotional music, poetry and literature - including ginans and qasidas - have long been a central feature of the Shia Ismaili tradition. Expressions of yearning as well as stories of suffering and triumph have offered hope and inspiration to Jamats across different cultures and civilizations, and especially so during times of difficulty and challenge.

This evening, host Saba Rawjani is joined by Dr. Shafique Virani to draw on our rich history of devotional expression, sharing stories of service and sacrifice to help situate our current challenges against the backdrop of centuries of the hope, faith and courage that sustained our ancestors.

With new musical expressions, as always, to stir the soul!

  • Join us and watch together as #OneJamat on iiCanada.live in English or in Farsi

  • A second broadcast will be shown at 8:30 pm Pacific | 9:30 pm Mountain

  • Highlights from the Jubilee Arts Festival will be shown 15 minutes before the broadcast

Friday Night Reflections: Anchors of Identity - Architecture in the Muslim Tradition

Date:
Friday, January 29, 2021
Start Time:
8:30 PM ET
End Time:
11:59 PM ET

This evening, we take a deeper look at how architecture serves as an anchor of our identity, reflecting our traditions, our values and our aspirations.

President Ameerally Kassim-Lakha joins to share the third instalment of 'From the Heart', discussing the importance of humility in one's career and in life.

Host Malika Karim-Rajan then sits down with Farrokh Derakhshani, Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture for a wide-ranging conversation, exploring the origin and evolution of the Award, and Mawlana Hazar Imam's ongoing work to encourage excellence in architecture as a means of improving quality of life.

We then travel across the globe to the Ismaili Centre Dushanbe, where architect Farouk Noormohamed shares an exclusive virtual tour of this Pamiri-inspired, architectural jewel.

With new musical expressions, as always, to refresh and renew!

  • Join us and watch together on iiCanada.live in English or in Farsi

  • A second broadcast will be shown at 8:30 pm Pacific | 9:30 pm Mountain

  • A gallery highlighting the winning projects of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture will be shown 15 minutes before the broadcast

New Year's Eve: A Night of Celebration and Laughter (Maritimes)

Date:
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Time:
10:00pm AST

As 2020 draws to a close, the Canadian Jamat reflects on a number of critical questions. How long will we have to endure the suffering of forgetting to unmute? What happened to the murder hornets? How does President Ameer choose his ties for Friday Night Reflections? All this and more will be revealed in a special, not-to-be-missed-unless-you-have-something-very-important-to-do-like-laundry New Year’s Eve celebration, from Canadian coast to coast.

Join hosts Shereen Kassam (“funny brown girl”) and Zaheed Damani (“the Ismaili Bono”) for a special heaping of nostalgia, a whiff of sentimentality, a sprig of music, and a little too much dry humour, brought to you by a colourful cast of characters new and old from Kabul-born Ali Shair to Nani from Rihla.

The fun starts at 10:00 pm local time, with a kids pre-show hosted by Ziyana Vasaya beginning at 9:45 pm on iicanada.live. Whether dressed in your New Year’s finest or your freshly ironed pyjamas, all Jamati members including multi-faith family members are warmly encouraged to participate.

Tiaras, streamers and latex balloons are optional.

*This event is designated BYON (Bring Your Own Nankathai).

Friday Night Reflections: Our Guiding Light

Date:
Friday, December 11, 2020
Start Time:
11:15 PM ET
End Time:
11:59 PM ET

Birthdays are a time to express affection and thanks to those we love. Join us on Salgirah weekend for a series of events to mark the occasion, express our love and gratitude to Mawlana Hazar Imam on his 84th birthday, and share the occasion of Salgirah together as One Jamat.

A special edition of Friday Night Reflections kicks off Salgirah weekend, featuring an evening of love, laughter and light. We will travel across the country with hosts Zahra Premji, Farah Nasser, Attiya Hirji, Fahima Sultani, Malika Karim-Rajan and Ziyah Karmali, for a celebration you won't want to miss!

President Ameerally Kassim-Lakha joins to share Salgirah greetings and felicitations on behalf of the Canadian Jamati Leadership. Then gather the family around to compete in the Khushiali Kahoot gameshow.

  • Join us and watch the broadcast on iiCanada.live in English or in Farsi

  • A second broadcast will be shown at 8:30 pm Pacific | 9:30 pm Mountain

  • A slideshow of artwork by the Canadian Youth sharing their gift for Mawlana Hazar Imam on his birthday, will be shown 13 minutes before the program