SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING Volunteerism central to the Ismaili faith IF THE average Westerner tried to define the Ismaili faith, images of mosques and minarets would probably pop into to his mind. But such Middle Eastern sym- bols hardly represent the diversity of the 20 million Ismailis who live in 25 countries wortdwide. This cross-cultural spectrum means that Ismailis, who are members of a branch of the Islam religion, speak different languages, come from different traditions and, therefore, don't all attend prayers in the stereotypical mos- que. The world’s Ismailis are, how- ever, unified by a simple set of un- alterable Muslim beliefs, the most important of which is the Shahada, which states that there is no God but Allah. Their second major belief is that Mohammed, who was born about 570 A.D., was the final prophet of Allah. Mohamnied received the holy teachings directly from Allah, and he wrote them down in the Qur’an, or Koran. In common with other ‘‘People of the Book,” such as Christians and Jews, Ismailis affirm the validity of all the Old and New Testament prophets. However, because the Qur’an states that God, or Allah, is above being begotten or begetting himself, they regard Jesus as a holy prophet, but not the Son of God. According to Dr. Akbar Lalani, one of the North Shere’s approx- imately 1,200 Ismaili residents, a central philosophy of the Ismaili religion is service to others and volunteerism. That philosophy can be seen on the international level, where, headed by their spiritual leader, His Highness The Aga Khan, Ismailis operate a network of eco- nomic, social and cultural institu- tions that serve Ismailis and non- Ismailis alike, and in this country, where approximately 25 per cent of the Canadian Ismaili population volunteers in the community. On the North Shore, some of this work is with the B.C. Ismaili Council, which promotes local PEGGY TREN News Repurter economic, educational, health and social development. Some of the council’s recent projects include a preventive health fair at Robson Square, an economic fair and a series of business luncheons. According to Lalani, all of the Ismaili Council’s activities are geared to the needs of the whole This week's religious events This week’s religious events: MONDAY, APRIL 30: e Those who follow Zoroastrianism celebrate Ghambar Maidyozarem from today to May 4. This festival honors the creation of sky and the harvesting of the winter crop. TUESDAY, MAY 1: © Witches celebrate the traditional May Day festival of Beltaine by Maypole dancing and feasting. They consider it the beginning of the light half of the year — the return of fertility and growth to the Earth after the winter's rest. For more information, contact the Congregationalist Witchcraft Association, P.O. Box 86134, North Vancouver, V7L 435. et community, and he says the response by non-Ismaili agencies and individuals has been ‘‘very ex- citing.”” Although Ismailis are clearly kept busy with their community service and careers — because pur- suing education is one of their im- portant philosophies, Ismailis are often found in business and the professions — putting aside time for daily prayer is a vital aspect of their religion. Evening prayers, usually fed by a member of the Ismaili community, are held daily at the 10 Jamatkhanas in the Mainland. While most Jamatkhanas are in rented facili- ties, two in Burnaby have been “built to suit,’? and the Ismailis are hoping to build a third on the site of the defunct Lions Gate Tennis Club just above the Upper Levels Highway near the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, where they are currently allowed to assemble on Friday and Sunday evenings only. The North Shore Jamatkhana, says Lalani, vould be used by be- tween 40 and 100 families for one hour each night of the week, ex- cept on Friday — their Sabbath — when the number of families at- tending prayers would grow to ap- proximately 150 families. Al- though some residents in the neighborhood have expressed con- cerns about potential traffic prob- lems, Lalani says that the Jamatkhana will provide 225 park- ing spaces, some of which will be available for use by the Lutheran church. Provisions have also been made in the plans for gardens and ben- ches that would be used by pedes- trians in the area. Islamic principles of architec- ture, including harmony with the natural! environment, underlie the design of the North Shore Jamatkhana. Ismailis consider their architec- tural principles so important that every three years the Aga Khan of- fers an international, $500,000 award for architects of any religion who have best expressed these ar- chitectural ideals. While there are clearly dif- ferences in belief between those of the Ismaili faith and adherents of other religions, Lalani asserts that in their daily life Ismailis and other Muslims believe in ‘‘all the things that are common to every religion, like being honest and respectful at home and in business.” “Every faith leads to God,’’ he concludes. 1990. The area affected is from Capilano Road to Mackay Avenue. Every attempt wil! be made to keep traffic disruption to a minimum but delays, tane closures and detours will occur. The public is requested to observe all warning signs and traffic control directions during construction, and your cooperation and patience is appreciated. Please direct any enquiries to CDNV Engineering at 984-4381. Updates will be listed in the Road Block section of the North Shore News Sunday editions. NORTH VANCOUVER CONSTRUCTION NOTICE — MARINE DRIVE Construction work consisting of watermain replacement and road surface reconstruction on Marine Drive will be commencing on or about May 7, 1990 and continuing through to July 31, 550,000 people work hard to protect Canada’s endangered species. 35 - Sunday, April 29, 1990 - North Shore News > sunday * Consumer's Distributing * Zellers Safewas’ * SuperValu Shoppers Drug Mart > wednesday F=5 ey fe ; * Moore’s the Suit People * Eaton's Save-On-Foods * Woodward's > friday ES Watch for our Real Estate Home Section. 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