Showing posts with label tanzania. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tanzania. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Shamir Allibhai on 1-hour TV chat show
The Larry King of Tanzania: Hamza Kassongo and his weekly self-titled show. His episode of July 16th, 2008, he sat down with me where we discussed the film journey, most memorable moments, criticism, and more.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Aga Khan Film, Guardian Newspaper, June 19th, 2008
Netherlands Ambassador to Tanzania Karel Van Kesteren (C) in discussion with Representative of the Aga Khan to Tanzania, Amin Kurji (R) and Director of Avicenna Tanzania, a not-for-profit organisation promoting cultural diversity and pluralism in the country, Altaf Hirani. This was during a launch of a film called 'An Islamic Conscience: the Aga Khan and the Ismailis' in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday. The film was produced by Shamir Allibhai who lives in the US.
Africa Launch - Avicenna's Opening Remarks
More photos from the Premiere at the Kempinski Hotel, Dar es Salaam, June 17:
There was actually a third big screen too to cover the entire venue.
Alkarim (left), a director of Avicenna and the moderator for the Q+A
COMMENTS BY JANET SIDDALL, HIGH COMMISSIONER OF CANADA:
AN EXCELLENT FILM THAT UNDERLINES THAT HIS HIGHNESS AND OUR PRIME MINISTER WERE SUCH GOOD FRIENDS, SHARED VALUES AND HAD A COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
No, Alkarim did not change his suit midway through the screening: this is his twin brother and partner in Avicenna, Altaf Hirani, seen here giving the opening remarks pre-screening.
Altaf's thoughtful speech:
(copied and pasted as received)
Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim
Honourable Ministers,
Your Excellencies,
Religious & Community Leaders;
Distinguished Guests;
Shamir Allibhai
Ladies and Gentlemen
On behalf of AVICENNA TANZANIA, it is indeed a great honour for me to welcome you all to the Africa launch of the film: AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE: The Aga Khan & the Ismailis.
I am equally pleased to welcome Shamir Allibhai - the Producer of the Film, who has kindly joined us this evening all the way from Boston, USA.
I am also happy to inform you that there will be a public screening of this film at the New World Cinemas tomorrow June 18, 2008 at 4.30 p.m.
AVICENNA TANZANIA is a not-for-profit organization founded early this year with the aim of promoting cultural diversity and pluralism in order to foster harmony, understanding, tolerance and peace between various peoples and groups in Tanzania. The organization also supports the development of civil societies and various charitable initiatives to alleviate poverty.
AVICENNA was inspired by the Muslim ethic of inclusiveness which stipulates an inclusive vision of society. This ethic further guides all Muslims in the sense that the divine spark that bestows individuality also bonds individuals in a common humanity.
The Holy Quran says “Humankind has been created from a single soul, as male and female, communities and nations, so that people may know one another”. It invites people of all faiths to a common platform, to vie for goodness. The holy Prophet sought to harness individual and group diversity and talents to serve common needs of different religious groups, among whom he encouraged a spirit of harmony and tolerance as constituents of a larger community of his time.
In the spirit of promoting interfaith dialogue, we can look back at some powerful chapters in history when Islamic and European Cultures interacted co-operatively and creatively to realize some of the civilizations peak achievements. Our challenge today therefore, is a clash of ignorance and not civilization.
Furthermore, the most successful democracies are those in which non-governmental organizations of civil societies also play a vital role. Civil society is powered by private voluntary energies too that are committed to public good and include institutions of education, health, science and research. They embrace professional, commercial, labor, ethnic and arts organizations and others devoted to religion, communication and the environment.
The world cannot be safe for democracy unless we as individual citizens and/or groups also make the world safe for diversity and play our part in strengthening these vital platforms.
Fortunately, we live in Tanzania whose great gift to the world has been its shining example in building a strong spirit of pluralism with the net result that it is regarded as one of the most stable and peaceful countries in Africa.
In conclusion, it is therefore my humble prayer that today’s event which is also a catalyst for launching AVICENNA TANZANIA will in some way contribute to further enhancing these goals.
Thank You!
There was actually a third big screen too to cover the entire venue.
Alkarim (left), a director of Avicenna and the moderator for the Q+A
COMMENTS BY JANET SIDDALL, HIGH COMMISSIONER OF CANADA:AN EXCELLENT FILM THAT UNDERLINES THAT HIS HIGHNESS AND OUR PRIME MINISTER WERE SUCH GOOD FRIENDS, SHARED VALUES AND HAD A COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
No, Alkarim did not change his suit midway through the screening: this is his twin brother and partner in Avicenna, Altaf Hirani, seen here giving the opening remarks pre-screening.
Altaf's thoughtful speech:
(copied and pasted as received)
Opening Address
by
Altaf Hirani
Director of AVICENNA TANZANIA,
at the
Africa Launch of the film
AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE: The Aga Khan & the Ismailis,
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Kilimanjaro Kempinski Hotel, June 17, 2008
by
Altaf Hirani
Director of AVICENNA TANZANIA,
at the
Africa Launch of the film
AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE: The Aga Khan & the Ismailis,
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Kilimanjaro Kempinski Hotel, June 17, 2008
Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim
Honourable Ministers,
Your Excellencies,
Religious & Community Leaders;
Distinguished Guests;
Shamir Allibhai
Ladies and Gentlemen
On behalf of AVICENNA TANZANIA, it is indeed a great honour for me to welcome you all to the Africa launch of the film: AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE: The Aga Khan & the Ismailis.
I am equally pleased to welcome Shamir Allibhai - the Producer of the Film, who has kindly joined us this evening all the way from Boston, USA.
I am also happy to inform you that there will be a public screening of this film at the New World Cinemas tomorrow June 18, 2008 at 4.30 p.m.
AVICENNA TANZANIA is a not-for-profit organization founded early this year with the aim of promoting cultural diversity and pluralism in order to foster harmony, understanding, tolerance and peace between various peoples and groups in Tanzania. The organization also supports the development of civil societies and various charitable initiatives to alleviate poverty.
AVICENNA was inspired by the Muslim ethic of inclusiveness which stipulates an inclusive vision of society. This ethic further guides all Muslims in the sense that the divine spark that bestows individuality also bonds individuals in a common humanity.
The Holy Quran says “Humankind has been created from a single soul, as male and female, communities and nations, so that people may know one another”. It invites people of all faiths to a common platform, to vie for goodness. The holy Prophet sought to harness individual and group diversity and talents to serve common needs of different religious groups, among whom he encouraged a spirit of harmony and tolerance as constituents of a larger community of his time.
In the spirit of promoting interfaith dialogue, we can look back at some powerful chapters in history when Islamic and European Cultures interacted co-operatively and creatively to realize some of the civilizations peak achievements. Our challenge today therefore, is a clash of ignorance and not civilization.
Furthermore, the most successful democracies are those in which non-governmental organizations of civil societies also play a vital role. Civil society is powered by private voluntary energies too that are committed to public good and include institutions of education, health, science and research. They embrace professional, commercial, labor, ethnic and arts organizations and others devoted to religion, communication and the environment.
The world cannot be safe for democracy unless we as individual citizens and/or groups also make the world safe for diversity and play our part in strengthening these vital platforms.
Fortunately, we live in Tanzania whose great gift to the world has been its shining example in building a strong spirit of pluralism with the net result that it is regarded as one of the most stable and peaceful countries in Africa.
In conclusion, it is therefore my humble prayer that today’s event which is also a catalyst for launching AVICENNA TANZANIA will in some way contribute to further enhancing these goals.
Thank You!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Aga Khan Film - Africa Tour. Day 6: Dar es Salaam
I feel too knackered to muster out an intellectual post on how the Africa Launch went (as it is 3am here!) but in summary: fabulous, challenging, exciting, riveting, and phew - the latter because the DVD projection system worked!!!
We pulled off the Africa premiere and here are some pictures:
Q+A SessionOne of the questions was: Why did we not show more of the Aga Khan's work in Tanzania in the film?
Answer (para-phrase): There is no way in a 1-hr film we could cover everything. We tried to give a flavor of the depth and breadth of the Aga Khan's life pursuits and the East Africa angle was told through the Uganda story including the Serena Kampala.
Shamir speaking to the press
Potentially the real attraction of the night: snack and drinks
The Canadian High Commissioner in Tanzania speaking about her first public servant job which was to help Afghan Ismailis resettle in Canada, how Canada and the Aga Khan have a close relationship, and how she really enjoyed the film. Thank you for the kind words!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Aga Khan Film - Africa Tour. Day 5: Dar es Salaam
Hotel Kempinski looks just lovely but the projectors don't work! The hotel staff have been replacing them, trying to find new projector bulbs, replacing cables, moving the DVD system closer to the stage all without any luck thus far...
Fingers crossed all goes well for Tues...
Fingers crossed all goes well for Tues...
The venue - it wont be this type of setup though...
The picture out of focus
Hotel staff trying to get to the bottom (or the top??!) of all this!
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.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
AFRICA CONTINENT PREMIERE
UPDATE MAY 24, 2008: PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE FOR THE AFRICA PREMIERE: http://agakhanfilm.blogspot.com/2008/05/important-date-change-aga-khan-film-in.html
We have some exciting news: we are launching the film in Africa at the end of the month!!
Many of you have been asking for a release there and we are happy to announce it has now come together. Reserve your FREE seat quickly for the May 28th Dar es Salaam screening as there are limited seats open to the public (details on securing your tickets below). We hope you can make it as we would love to see you there.
The acclaimed groundbreaking documentary AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE makes its
Africa debut in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on May 28th!
(UPDATE MAY 24, 2008: PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE FOR THE AFRICA PREMIERE: http://agakhanfilm.blogspot.com/2008/05/important-date-change-aga-khan-film-in.html)
AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE: the Aga Khan and the Ismailis
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: 7PM, May 28th, 2008
Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski - A very limited number of seats open to the public
Tickets: Free and to be reserved at http://agakhanfilmtanzania.eventbrite.com/
PLUS: After the film there will be a special panel and Q&A with Shamir Allibhai (Filmmaker & Harvard Master’s candidate).
Trailer: http://agakhanfilm.org
Press enquiries: http://agakhanfilm.org/contact.asp
We have some exciting news: we are launching the film in Africa at the end of the month!!
Many of you have been asking for a release there and we are happy to announce it has now come together. Reserve your FREE seat quickly for the May 28th Dar es Salaam screening as there are limited seats open to the public (details on securing your tickets below). We hope you can make it as we would love to see you there.
-oOo-
The acclaimed groundbreaking documentary AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE makes its
Africa debut in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on May 28th!
(UPDATE MAY 24, 2008: PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE FOR THE AFRICA PREMIERE: http://agakhanfilm.blogspot.com/2008/05/important-date-change-aga-khan-film-in.html)
AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE: the Aga Khan and the Ismailis
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: 7PM, May 28th, 2008
Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski - A very limited number of seats open to the public
Tickets: Free and to be reserved at http://agakhanfilmtanzania.eventbrite.com/
PLUS: After the film there will be a special panel and Q&A with Shamir Allibhai (Filmmaker & Harvard Master’s candidate).
Trailer: http://agakhanfilm.org
Press enquiries: http://agakhanfilm.org/contact.asp
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