With the onset of the pandemic, doors of centres of worship across Canada closed. Ismailis were isolated from each other and from familiar spaces of spiritual and social connection. Volunteers sprang into action. Within weeks, we had Friday Night Reflections—a weekly broadcast on the main evening of prayer that helps Ismailis connect with our faith. Our volunteers also reached out to other Canadians, sewing and donating thousands of face masks, giving blood and running food drives. In the face of the distance created by COVID-19, we—along with our broader communities—transformed how we came together.
At The Ismaili Canada, we asked: how do crises lead to positive transformation? Our contributors responded with rich stories on topics ranging from how Ismailis are contributing to the anti-racism movement, to how the Aga Khan Museum created virtual offerings that made their way around the globe, to how the community found unexpected connection during the pandemic.
Our cover story on NASA engineer Farah Alibay explores transformation from another lens. “Where do we come from and are we alone?” she asks, noting the Perseverance rover on Mars could transform our understanding of life in space. Amid the pandemic, her poignant question speaks to our lives on Earth as we travel the terrains of a more solitary existence.
These stories convey that we can emerge from crises with creativity, newfound strengths and resilience. His Highness the Aga Khan reminded us of this in a message to the global Ismaili community on December 11, 2020: “It is a matter of satisfaction that my Jamat continues to draw inspiration from our historic tradition of facing adversity with unity, resolve and resilience.”
We hope this issue offers you insight and comfort as we navigate the pandemic together and apart. May we emerge stronger.
Alia Dharssi
Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Anar Rajabali
Deputy Editor
