Ismaili Centre
Encyclopedia
The Ismaili Centres are symbolic markers of the permanent presence of the Ismaili Muslim community
in the countries and regions in which they are established. Each building is architecturally unique, and incorporates spaces for social and cultural gatherings, intellectual engagement and reflection, as well as spiritual contemplation. They facilitate mutual exchange and seek to foster understanding between diverse peoples, communities and faiths. Collectively and individually, the Centres represent the Ismaili community’s intellectual and spiritual understanding of Islam, as well as the community’s social conscience, outlook and attitude towards the societies in which it lives.
— the first such Centre in the Western world — was laid in 1979, another four Centres opened in Burnaby (Vancouver
), Lisbon
, Dubai
, and Dushanbe
. Following the establishment of the latest Centre in Toronto
, additional Ismaili Centres are expected in Houston, Paris
and Los Angeles
.
Ismaili
' is a branch of Shia Islam. It is the second largest branch of Shia Islam, after the Twelvers...
in the countries and regions in which they are established. Each building is architecturally unique, and incorporates spaces for social and cultural gatherings, intellectual engagement and reflection, as well as spiritual contemplation. They facilitate mutual exchange and seek to foster understanding between diverse peoples, communities and faiths. Collectively and individually, the Centres represent the Ismaili community’s intellectual and spiritual understanding of Islam, as well as the community’s social conscience, outlook and attitude towards the societies in which it lives.
Ismaili Centres around the world
Since the foundation of the Ismaili Centre, LondonIsmaili Centre, London
The Ismaili Centre, London is one of five such centres world-wide. Established in South Kensington more than a quarter of a century ago, it is a religious, social and cultural meeting place for the Ismaili Muslim community in the United Kingdom and is the first such centre to be specially designed...
— the first such Centre in the Western world — was laid in 1979, another four Centres opened in Burnaby (Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
), Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, and Dushanbe
Dushanbe
-Economy:Coal, lead, and arsenic are mined nearby in the cities of Nurek and Kulob allowing for the industrialization of Dushanbe. The Nurek Dam, the world's highest as of 2008, generates 95% of Tajikistan's electricity, and another dam, the Roghun Dam, is planned on the Vakhsh River...
. Following the establishment of the latest Centre in Toronto
Ismaili Centre, Toronto
The Ismaili Centre, Toronto — currently under development — will be the sixth such centre in the world. Situated in a park that it shares with the Aga Khan Museum adjacent to the Don Valley Parkway in Toronto, the Centre will represent the permanent presence of the Ismaili Muslim...
, additional Ismaili Centres are expected in Houston, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
More information
- Ismaili Centre, LondonIsmaili Centre, LondonThe Ismaili Centre, London is one of five such centres world-wide. Established in South Kensington more than a quarter of a century ago, it is a religious, social and cultural meeting place for the Ismaili Muslim community in the United Kingdom and is the first such centre to be specially designed...
(official website) - Ismaili Centre, Burnaby (official website)
- Ismaili Centre, Lisbon (official website)
- Ismaili Centre, Dubai (official website)
- Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe (official website)
- Ismaili Centre, TorontoIsmaili Centre, TorontoThe Ismaili Centre, Toronto — currently under development — will be the sixth such centre in the world. Situated in a park that it shares with the Aga Khan Museum adjacent to the Don Valley Parkway in Toronto, the Centre will represent the permanent presence of the Ismaili Muslim...
(official website)
External links
- Official site of the Ismaili Centres
- The Ismaili Centre, Dubai - Press release, photos and video relating to the opening
- The Ismaili Centre, Toronto - an article about the project, including renderings