I checked out the Kempinski Hotel - the site of the Africa Launch on June 17th - and it is absolutely lovely! And today I became the Embassy expert of Dar es Salaam. I accompanied the host of the film as he dropped off invites to high commissioners/ambassadors of each country with a presence here. If you ever want to know which embassy is here and where it is, call me.
And speaking of phones, my blackberry doesnt work here. I held off getting a blackberry for the longest time and now that I have one, its like I cant live without it. I have to logon to check mail these days - so 1990's :) Plus the internet is quite slow here: it takes 5 mins just to load up gmail.com. Life pace is slower here in general so I think they purposely keep the internet speed turtle-paced to be consistent.
At least I have access to Internet. The people of Zanzibar apparently dont have electricity right now. I havent got a straight answer as to the exact issue but except for those with generators, they are in the dark. (I wonder if the Serena Hotel Zanzibar is adding a fuel surcharge to each guests' bill...)
The dichotomy between rich and poor is in your face here. Yes we all know Africa has struggles and I almost cringe at bringing it up like this. I feel the Western media only covers Africa, and the Muslim world for that matter (which is not mutually exclusive with Africa), when there is strife, war, terrorism, natural disasters, or famine. So not to reinforce this image for too long, I will keep this short: I saw a lot of sadness today. People with missing limbs, begging on the streets hoping someone will be kind enough to give them a few shillings (less than pennies). The guy I was with today has to be one of the most generous people I have ever met and definitely not just because he has bent over backwards in all aspects to make the Africa Launch happen. He would help out so many people we came across who looked like they were in need. It was second nature to him. He feels he has been so fortunate in his life that it is his obligation to help those who havent been as lucky.
And the struggle wasnt just on the street - I felt like I saw it in the jamatkhane, the Ismaili place of worship (comparable to a mosque). I then thought of Dr Arkoun, a Governor on the Institute of Ismaili Studies' Board and a very prominent scholar. We met in 2006 when I was at the development/team building/fund-raising stage of the project. He said this film will be the voice for the many silenced voices in the history of Islam. He was not just referring to Ismailis but to Muslims in general and communities of Muslims whose day-to-day (life) fight could be a little bit easier; whose economic situation, lack of educational opportunities, and lack of employability shouldn't be so stifling; and whose ability to practice their religion could be a bit freer. I am not sure this film is that voice but it is definitely dedicated to these silenced voices: on the streets, in the mosques and everywhere in between.
Showing posts with label Sunni. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sunni. Show all posts
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Movie Review: Aga Khan Film (Cap Hill Screening)
The link http://www.onphilanthropy.com/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7501
Movie Review: AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE: the Aga Khan and the Ismailis
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 By: Sara Shroff
Who is the Aga Khan? Who are the Ismailis? What is their history and how did they come to be? And what can the philanthropy sector learn from them?
With international conferences and various studies addressing issues and challenges faced by Muslim philanthropists and Muslim NGOs, as well as the broader topic of philanthropy in the Middle East, the space is starting to define and re-define itself. Indeed, the Council of Foundations conference in May hosted a “Bridging Divides” session, where prominent US foundations, including the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and the Carnegie Foundation, among others, shared their experiences around inter-faith understanding, stability, and global security.
In the midst of this dynamic dialogue, AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE: the Aga Khan and the Ismailis documentary is a timely addition. The film showcases a model of philanthropy that acknowledges the notions of tradition and practice of giving in Islam while embracing a more strategic, collaborative and holistic view of human development and philanthropy.
AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE is a well-researched, produced and directed documentary on Islam and the Aga Khan. It serves as a catalyst of dialogue around hybrid philanthropy models, addressing inequities in our diverse world through systemic and holistic social change.
As a religious Muslim leader, the Aga Khan traces his lineage back to the Prophet Muhammad and currently leads a group of 15 million Ismaili Muslims globally. Like many philanthropists, his commitment to eliminating poverty and inequality is not unusual in our dichotomous world, but his integrated model towards human development is unique as it addresses the needs and desires of the whole person. His vision for human development takes into consideration an individual’s value aspirations for personal achievement through education and economic opportunities, which in turn have long-term and deep impact on the well being of their community and surroundings.
The film’s Washington screening on Capitol Hill recently was followed by a panel discussion with Shamir Allibhai, Filmmaker and Producer; Dr Paul Heck, Professor at Georgetown in Islamic Studies, and Dr Zahid Bukhari, Director of the America Muslim Studies Program at Georgetown. The discussion focused on harnessing the power of media and the corporate sector to create awareness and understanding of the divides between Muslims and non-Muslims that exist globally.
The Aga Khan film not only gives us a historical perspective of Ismailis, the Aga Khan and his philanthropy, but proves to be a “good story” for Islam and is a much needed addition to the repertoire of resources in the realm of Islam-based philanthropy. It will thus serve as an important medium for promoting interfaith dialogue. The uniqueness of the Aga Khan philanthropic model is that it embraces many faith-based aspects including its ideals, values and constituency - but it is not faith-limited.
The panel discussion concluded with Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson talking about her journey of inter-faith dialogue and cultural understanding in her home state of Texas, and Congressman Keith Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress, speaking to the changing landscape of politics, religion and race while touching upon the diversity in Islam in the US. Other screenings have been hosted at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government as well as its Divinity School, Stanford University, London, Canada, and beginning next week, a series of screenings will be held in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.
To learn more about the film and its filmmakers, please visit www.agakhanfilm.org
__oOo__
Sara Shroff is a Senior Director with Changing Our World where she specializes in marketing and communications, brand development, organizational development, strategic philanthropy, and corporate social responsibility. Sara’s expertise also includes Diaspora (multi-cultural) philanthropy in the US, philanthropy in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
Currently, Sara directs the partnership development and campaign efforts for PlayPumps International, a $60 Million initiative to bring the benefits of clean water to sub-Saharan African. She has also served as counsel to a variety of organizations including the PMA Education Foundation, Wilton Park UK, Shanghai-USA 2010 World Exposition, Inc and DC Coalition for the Homeless.
Prior to joining Changing Our World, Sara worked for several organizations servicing the education sector. Areas of expertise and experience include education financing, policy and program development. She’s held management positions at EduCap, Inc. and DCVOICE and spearheaded program development and training workshops for the Council for Opportunity in Education. Sara started out in the financial service and real estate development realm and held positions at Etrade and Promove.
While an undergraduate student at Agnes Scott College and Georgia State University, Sara founded dZires, a small trading and microfinance organization dedicated to empowering the women artisans of Pakistan. She currently serves on the Board of CalEarth Pakistan, a non-profit that mobilizes participatory reconstruction for earthquake disaster relief in Pakistan, India and Kashmir. She also serves on the Development and Fundraising committee for Literacy Volunteer and Advocates in Washington DC. She is a graduate of George Mason University where she focused on international comparative politics and legal studies.
Sara is currently pursuing a Masters in Social and Public Policy from Georgetown University with her research geared towards harnessing innovative philanthropic models to address inequities globally.
Movie Review: AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE: the Aga Khan and the Ismailis
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 By: Sara Shroff
Who is the Aga Khan? Who are the Ismailis? What is their history and how did they come to be? And what can the philanthropy sector learn from them?
With international conferences and various studies addressing issues and challenges faced by Muslim philanthropists and Muslim NGOs, as well as the broader topic of philanthropy in the Middle East, the space is starting to define and re-define itself. Indeed, the Council of Foundations conference in May hosted a “Bridging Divides” session, where prominent US foundations, including the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and the Carnegie Foundation, among others, shared their experiences around inter-faith understanding, stability, and global security.
In the midst of this dynamic dialogue, AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE: the Aga Khan and the Ismailis documentary is a timely addition. The film showcases a model of philanthropy that acknowledges the notions of tradition and practice of giving in Islam while embracing a more strategic, collaborative and holistic view of human development and philanthropy.
AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE is a well-researched, produced and directed documentary on Islam and the Aga Khan. It serves as a catalyst of dialogue around hybrid philanthropy models, addressing inequities in our diverse world through systemic and holistic social change.
As a religious Muslim leader, the Aga Khan traces his lineage back to the Prophet Muhammad and currently leads a group of 15 million Ismaili Muslims globally. Like many philanthropists, his commitment to eliminating poverty and inequality is not unusual in our dichotomous world, but his integrated model towards human development is unique as it addresses the needs and desires of the whole person. His vision for human development takes into consideration an individual’s value aspirations for personal achievement through education and economic opportunities, which in turn have long-term and deep impact on the well being of their community and surroundings.
The film’s Washington screening on Capitol Hill recently was followed by a panel discussion with Shamir Allibhai, Filmmaker and Producer; Dr Paul Heck, Professor at Georgetown in Islamic Studies, and Dr Zahid Bukhari, Director of the America Muslim Studies Program at Georgetown. The discussion focused on harnessing the power of media and the corporate sector to create awareness and understanding of the divides between Muslims and non-Muslims that exist globally.
The Aga Khan film not only gives us a historical perspective of Ismailis, the Aga Khan and his philanthropy, but proves to be a “good story” for Islam and is a much needed addition to the repertoire of resources in the realm of Islam-based philanthropy. It will thus serve as an important medium for promoting interfaith dialogue. The uniqueness of the Aga Khan philanthropic model is that it embraces many faith-based aspects including its ideals, values and constituency - but it is not faith-limited.
The panel discussion concluded with Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson talking about her journey of inter-faith dialogue and cultural understanding in her home state of Texas, and Congressman Keith Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress, speaking to the changing landscape of politics, religion and race while touching upon the diversity in Islam in the US. Other screenings have been hosted at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government as well as its Divinity School, Stanford University, London, Canada, and beginning next week, a series of screenings will be held in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.
To learn more about the film and its filmmakers, please visit www.agakhanfilm.org
__oOo__
Sara Shroff is a Senior Director with Changing Our World where she specializes in marketing and communications, brand development, organizational development, strategic philanthropy, and corporate social responsibility. Sara’s expertise also includes Diaspora (multi-cultural) philanthropy in the US, philanthropy in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
Currently, Sara directs the partnership development and campaign efforts for PlayPumps International, a $60 Million initiative to bring the benefits of clean water to sub-Saharan African. She has also served as counsel to a variety of organizations including the PMA Education Foundation, Wilton Park UK, Shanghai-USA 2010 World Exposition, Inc and DC Coalition for the Homeless.
Prior to joining Changing Our World, Sara worked for several organizations servicing the education sector. Areas of expertise and experience include education financing, policy and program development. She’s held management positions at EduCap, Inc. and DCVOICE and spearheaded program development and training workshops for the Council for Opportunity in Education. Sara started out in the financial service and real estate development realm and held positions at Etrade and Promove.
While an undergraduate student at Agnes Scott College and Georgia State University, Sara founded dZires, a small trading and microfinance organization dedicated to empowering the women artisans of Pakistan. She currently serves on the Board of CalEarth Pakistan, a non-profit that mobilizes participatory reconstruction for earthquake disaster relief in Pakistan, India and Kashmir. She also serves on the Development and Fundraising committee for Literacy Volunteer and Advocates in Washington DC. She is a graduate of George Mason University where she focused on international comparative politics and legal studies.
Sara is currently pursuing a Masters in Social and Public Policy from Georgetown University with her research geared towards harnessing innovative philanthropic models to address inequities globally.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Nairobi Screening Sorted - see below our mass email
Dear all
We had so many requests for screenings elsewhere in East Africa that we delayed our original planned Tanzania screening so we can accommodate as many of the suggestions as possible. We are pleased to announce the Aga Khan Film - East Africa tour now begins on June 17th in Dar es Salaam and ends in Nairobi on June 22nd, the day before the Golden Jubilee Games begin. If you are going to Nairobi for the Games, please join us: we would love to see you there! Follow all the action on our blog http://agakhanfilm.blogspot.com and please help spread the word.
Best wishes
Shamir & the Aga Khan Film team
http://agakhanfilm.org/screenings.asp
AFRICA CONTINENT PREMIERES
Starting June 17th in Dar es Salaam
Screenings in Tanzania, Uganda, & Kenya
Use the links below to register for the appropriate event.
Dar es Salaam (semi-private): June 17th. FREE.
Dar es Salaam: June 18th. FREE: http://agakhanfilmdar18june2008.eventbrite.com/
Kampala: June 20th. FREE: http://agakhanfilmkampala.eventbrite.com/
Mombasa: June 21st. FREE: http://agakhanfilmmombasa.eventbrite.com/
Nairobi: June 22nd. http://agakhanfilmnairobi.eventbrite.com
We had so many requests for screenings elsewhere in East Africa that we delayed our original planned Tanzania screening so we can accommodate as many of the suggestions as possible. We are pleased to announce the Aga Khan Film - East Africa tour now begins on June 17th in Dar es Salaam and ends in Nairobi on June 22nd, the day before the Golden Jubilee Games begin. If you are going to Nairobi for the Games, please join us: we would love to see you there! Follow all the action on our blog http://agakhanfilm.blogspot.com and please help spread the word.
Best wishes
Shamir & the Aga Khan Film team
http://agakhanfilm.org/screenings.asp
AFRICA CONTINENT PREMIERES
Starting June 17th in Dar es Salaam
Screenings in Tanzania, Uganda, & Kenya
Use the links below to register for the appropriate event.
Dar es Salaam (semi-private): June 17th. FREE.
Dar es Salaam: June 18th. FREE: http://agakhanfilmdar18june2008.eventbrite.com/
Kampala: June 20th. FREE: http://agakhanfilmkampala.eventbrite.com/
Mombasa: June 21st. FREE: http://agakhanfilmmombasa.eventbrite.com/
Nairobi: June 22nd. http://agakhanfilmnairobi.eventbrite.com
Nairobi Screening Sorted - see below our mass email
Dear all
We had so many requests for screenings elsewhere in East Africa that we delayed our original planned Tanzania screening so we can accommodate as many of the suggestions as possible. We are pleased to announce the Aga Khan Film - East Africa tour now begins on June 17th in Dar es Salaam and ends in Nairobi on June 22nd, the day before the Golden Jubilee Games begin. If you are going to Nairobi for the Games, please join us: we would love to see you there! Follow all the action on our blog http://agakhanfilm.blogspot.com and please help spread the word.
Best wishes
Shamir & the Aga Khan Film team
http://agakhanfilm.org/screenings.asp
AFRICA CONTINENT PREMIERES
Starting June 17th in Dar es Salaam
Screenings in Tanzania, Uganda, & Kenya
Use the links below to register for the appropriate event.
Dar es Salaam (semi-private): June 17th. FREE.
Dar es Salaam: June 18th. FREE: http://agakhanfilmdar18june2008.eventbrite.com/
Kampala: June 20th. FREE: http://agakhanfilmkampala.eventbrite.com/
Mombasa: June 21st. FREE: http://agakhanfilmmombasa.eventbrite.com/
Nairobi: June 22nd. http://agakhanfilmnairobi.eventbrite.com
We had so many requests for screenings elsewhere in East Africa that we delayed our original planned Tanzania screening so we can accommodate as many of the suggestions as possible. We are pleased to announce the Aga Khan Film - East Africa tour now begins on June 17th in Dar es Salaam and ends in Nairobi on June 22nd, the day before the Golden Jubilee Games begin. If you are going to Nairobi for the Games, please join us: we would love to see you there! Follow all the action on our blog http://agakhanfilm.blogspot.com and please help spread the word.
Best wishes
Shamir & the Aga Khan Film team
http://agakhanfilm.org/screenings.asp
AFRICA CONTINENT PREMIERES
Starting June 17th in Dar es Salaam
Screenings in Tanzania, Uganda, & Kenya
Use the links below to register for the appropriate event.
Dar es Salaam (semi-private): June 17th. FREE.
Dar es Salaam: June 18th. FREE: http://agakhanfilmdar18june2008.eventbrite.com/
Kampala: June 20th. FREE: http://agakhanfilmkampala.eventbrite.com/
Mombasa: June 21st. FREE: http://agakhanfilmmombasa.eventbrite.com/
Nairobi: June 22nd. http://agakhanfilmnairobi.eventbrite.com
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Boston International Film Festival
Our Aga Khan film is screening at the Boston International Film Festival this weekend. Sunday, 1PM at the AMC Loews Cinema, Boston Common. See Session 9: http://bifilmfestival.com/biffschedule.html
Road to Ingwavuma, a look at post-apartheid South Africa, has its world premiere on Friday followed by a red carpet party. See details of the film below.
Tickets for this and my film can be purchased from the Festival at: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&pl=&eventId=270470
ROAD TO INGWAVUMA
(ing-wah-VOOM-ah)
The extraordinary journey to the heart of
post-apartheid South Africa by a
delegation of some of America's most
respected stage, screen, and music
artists and their families. With Carlos
Santana, Samuel L. Jackson,
LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Alfre
Woodard, CCH Pounder and Artists
for a New South Africa. Special
appearances by Former President
Nelson Mandela and Archbishop
Desmond Tutu and other giants in South
Africa's fight for freedom and the war on
HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty.
Writer, Director, Producer: Barbara Rick
Writer, Narrator, and Executive Producer:
Deborah Santana
Road to Ingwavuma, a look at post-apartheid South Africa, has its world premiere on Friday followed by a red carpet party. See details of the film below.
Tickets for this and my film can be purchased from the Festival at: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&pl=&eventId=270470
ROAD TO INGWAVUMA
(ing-wah-VOOM-ah)
The extraordinary journey to the heart of
post-apartheid South Africa by a
delegation of some of America's most
respected stage, screen, and music
artists and their families. With Carlos
Santana, Samuel L. Jackson,
LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Alfre
Woodard, CCH Pounder and Artists
for a New South Africa. Special
appearances by Former President
Nelson Mandela and Archbishop
Desmond Tutu and other giants in South
Africa's fight for freedom and the war on
HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty.
Writer, Director, Producer: Barbara Rick
Writer, Narrator, and Executive Producer:
Deborah Santana
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Africa Premiere - NEW DATES, MORE SCREENINGS
Time dif et al, its been tough coordinating screenings in Africa from Boston but I think we are almost there...
We have moved the Africa Launch of the Aga Khan Film from May to June to try and accommodate all the requests we have been getting for screenings elsewhere in East Africa.
We are happy to announce the first few screenings:
Dar es Salaam (semi-private): June 17. FREE.
Dar es Salaam: June 18. FREE: http://agakhanfilmdar18june2008.eventbrite.com/
Kampala: June 20. FREE: http://agakhanfilmkampala.eventbrite.com/
Mombasa: June 21st. FREE: http://agakhanfilmmombasa.eventbrite.com/
Yes, all the announced screenings are free!! An unsubtle acknowledgment to all those who are not afraid to help facilitate dialogue so we can speak openly and frankly about what we aspire for our faith, for our community and for our society. A special thanks to the not-for-profit organization Avicenna Tanzania that has been particularly wonderful in this regard.
We hope to see you there. Reserve quick.
We have moved the Africa Launch of the Aga Khan Film from May to June to try and accommodate all the requests we have been getting for screenings elsewhere in East Africa.
We are happy to announce the first few screenings:
Dar es Salaam (semi-private): June 17. FREE.
Dar es Salaam: June 18. FREE: http://agakhanfilmdar18june2008.eventbrite.com/
Kampala: June 20. FREE: http://agakhanfilmkampala.eventbrite.com/
Mombasa: June 21st. FREE: http://agakhanfilmmombasa.eventbrite.com/
Yes, all the announced screenings are free!! An unsubtle acknowledgment to all those who are not afraid to help facilitate dialogue so we can speak openly and frankly about what we aspire for our faith, for our community and for our society. A special thanks to the not-for-profit organization Avicenna Tanzania that has been particularly wonderful in this regard.
We hope to see you there. Reserve quick.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Aga Khan Film announces Presidential Bid in DC
Okay, not really, but you did open this blog!
Notes from the Capitol Hill Screening (May 20, '08):
Whenever I watch my film at a screening, I always have this fear that the DVD is going to skip or the player is going to malfunction in a meltdown! Then what am I going to do??! Do I apologize? Blame the organizer? The DVD manufacturer? Sit there shrinking in my seat? I decided that if it happened at the DC screening, I would just blame Bush as that seems to be going down well these days with everything.
Thankfully the film played smoothly and the screening went wonderfully! Thank you to Congresswoman Johnson and the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association for hosting the film. Big thanks to Illy for organizing, the panellists for participating, and the audiences for their support.
The panel discussion was with Dr Paul Heck, Professor at Georgetown in Islamic Studies, Dr Zahid Bukhari, Director of the America Muslim Studies Program at Georgetown, and myself. We got some interesting questions and one of them was:
How can businesses help with bridging these divides?
As we say in the film, the AKDN aspires to set an example that for-profit businesses can work in developing countries. For example, right now it is working with private equity firm Blackstone to build a dam in Uganda to increase the country’s electricity capacity. Interested businesses should consider working with the AKDN or similar organizations in what can be very fruitful private/NGO relationships. Making money is not bad. It is what one does with that extra money that can be good or bad. It is possible to make money and still benefit the country and its citizens. I think Grameen Bank has been a wonderful pioneer in this area of a for-profit which is positively impacting the society in which it is based.
At the end of the panel discussion, Congresswoman Johnson gave a heart-warming speech and Congressman Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress, spoke energetically at the end for a few minutes. I will blog a follow-up to this in the next few days with more details of their speeches…
Congresswoman Johnson speaking on ignorance in our current world
R to L: Congresswoman Johnson, Dr Bukhari, Dr Heck, and Shamir
Shamir thinking what he is going to say today...(especially if the DVD player konks out)
In town from Alberta, my friend Jamie (aka designated paparazzi for the day)
Yes, yes: I am totally posing!
"Yes we can!"
Congressman Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress giving a funny and thoughtful speech
Notes from the Capitol Hill Screening (May 20, '08):
Whenever I watch my film at a screening, I always have this fear that the DVD is going to skip or the player is going to malfunction in a meltdown! Then what am I going to do??! Do I apologize? Blame the organizer? The DVD manufacturer? Sit there shrinking in my seat? I decided that if it happened at the DC screening, I would just blame Bush as that seems to be going down well these days with everything.
Thankfully the film played smoothly and the screening went wonderfully! Thank you to Congresswoman Johnson and the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association for hosting the film. Big thanks to Illy for organizing, the panellists for participating, and the audiences for their support.
The panel discussion was with Dr Paul Heck, Professor at Georgetown in Islamic Studies, Dr Zahid Bukhari, Director of the America Muslim Studies Program at Georgetown, and myself. We got some interesting questions and one of them was:
How can businesses help with bridging these divides?
As we say in the film, the AKDN aspires to set an example that for-profit businesses can work in developing countries. For example, right now it is working with private equity firm Blackstone to build a dam in Uganda to increase the country’s electricity capacity. Interested businesses should consider working with the AKDN or similar organizations in what can be very fruitful private/NGO relationships. Making money is not bad. It is what one does with that extra money that can be good or bad. It is possible to make money and still benefit the country and its citizens. I think Grameen Bank has been a wonderful pioneer in this area of a for-profit which is positively impacting the society in which it is based.
At the end of the panel discussion, Congresswoman Johnson gave a heart-warming speech and Congressman Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress, spoke energetically at the end for a few minutes. I will blog a follow-up to this in the next few days with more details of their speeches…
Congresswoman Johnson speaking on ignorance in our current worldR to L: Congresswoman Johnson, Dr Bukhari, Dr Heck, and Shamir
Shamir thinking what he is going to say today...(especially if the DVD player konks out)
In town from Alberta, my friend Jamie (aka designated paparazzi for the day)
Yes, yes: I am totally posing!
"Yes we can!"
Congressman Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress giving a funny and thoughtful speech
“In the past 50 years, the Aga Khan has been recognized as a global figure who has worked to represent the social conscience of Islam. I deeply respect the philanthropic efforts of his Aga Khan Development Network,” Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson said. “’An Islamic Conscience: The Aga Khan and the Ismailis’ is an impressive documentary.”
Thank you to Ilhaam "Illy" Jaffer, Congresswoman Johnson's assistant for all her hard work in pulling off the screening.
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