The Year of Unexpected Connection

But as the doors of our gathering spaces closed, the screens of our virtual gathering spaces gradually opened. Hundreds of volunteers came together to create online programs for the community. Instead of attending Jamatkhana on important religious days, such as Eid, we turned to our screens for faith-based programming, messages of hope from leadership, and a biryani cooking class. On other days, we could join webinars on topics ranging from business to spirituality or participate in lively, educational game shows. 

The pandemic left thousands of seniors isolated. Many Ismaili seniors lacked technological skills to access the community’s virtual programming, so volunteers across Canada helped them learn how and put into place virtual initiatives such as phone calls, chair yoga, and computer classes. 

Sukoon, a national initiative delivering faith-based programming for seniors via telephone and Internet, had reached almost 5,000 households by January 2021. The program provides seniors with twice-daily programming in English, Gujarati and Urdu. Activities include educational sessions covering religion and health, exercise classes and music parties for Navroz and New Year’s Eve.

Each year, a Post-Secondary Games (PSG) tournament is organized by the Aga Khan Council for Canada for Ismaili students from across Ontario. In May 2020, the Council held a virtual competition in lieu of a physical event. The Canadian Post-Secondary Ismaili Games (CPSIG) brought together a record 210 students from Ismaili Student Associations (ISAs) across Canada.

Globally, volunteers came together to create The Ismaili TV, a 24-hour streaming platform. Launched in April 2020, it features webinars, fitness classes and institutional programs curated by the global Jamat. Its New Year’s Eve 2021 celebration spanned 24 hours, featuring Ismaili musicians and DJs as the Jamat rang in the new year across 22 time zones.

“The Ismaili TV allows an opportunity for you to turn it on any time of the day and connect with what’s on the screen [and to see] what members of your community are doing around the world,” explained Sherin Manji, a Toronto-based television producer who is part of the global team of volunteers that created the platform.

The idea was to give the Jamat access to programming from Ismaili institutions worldwide “who were creating great content independently for their regional and national Jamats,” she said. 

Friday Night Reflections, one of the Canadian Jamat’s most cherished programs, appears on The Ismaili TV. The program provides a place of connection for those who miss gathering in Jamatkhana on Friday, an important day for prayer and social activity. It features discussions from leading minds in Canada, covering subjects such as science and technology, the arts and professional development, and is hosted by members of the Ismaili community across Canada. Esteemed speakers have included the Archbishop of Toronto Thomas Christopher Collins and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.