the reflect: Recent Episodes
The Ismaili
Welcome to the reflect, a podcast of The.Ismaili, featuring a unique introspection in each episode. What’s got you preoccupied these days or What thought are you in the process of working through? These are the questions our speakers respond to in each short episode of the reflect. To subscribe to this series, look for "the reflect", now available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, & Google Podcast.
Tell us what you think of the reflect podcast: http://bit.ly/thereflect
For almost everyone, the current period has led to a change in the nature of our working lives. And it has led Aliaa on an introspective journey about work itself. Why do we do it? What is its purpose? And what might we want its purpose to be? (Tell us what you think about this episode: http://bit.ly/thereflect)
Presenter Details
Dr. Aliaa Remtilla
Anthropologist with a Passion for Social Justice
Emotions. We experience them on a daily basis. Are all emotions important? Is it worth learning more about ourselves through understanding our emotions? In this episode, Sasha Jiwani takes us on her journey from the discomfort of sitting with uncomfortable emotions to the discovery of how it has helped her grow. (Tell us what you think about this episode: http://bit.ly/thereflect)
Presenter Details
Sasha Jiwani
Facilitator of Connections, Creative Catalyst, and Doer and Dreamer
In this episode, Alwaez Asif Makhani reflects on a series of inquiries around the notion of time and its significance in our tradition. Is Time Real or an illusion? How does the past influence the present, and how does the present impact our future? Is Time a limitless mirror to reflect upon The Eternal or is it a shrinking cage from which we cannot escape? (Tell us what you think about this episode: http://bit.ly/thereflect)
Presenter Details Asif Makhani Alwaez, Technology Leader, and Youth Development Practitioner
In this episode, Alwaez Asif Makhani reflects on a series of inquiries around the notion of time and its significance in our tradition. Is Time Real or an illusion? How does the past influence the present, and how does the present impact our future? Is Time a limitless mirror to reflect upon The Eternal or is it a shrinking cage from which we cannot escape? (Tell us what you think about this episode: http://bit.ly/thereflect)
Presenter Details Asif Makhani Alwaez, Technology Leader, and Youth Development Practitioner
In this episode, Gulnar Feerasta examines the seeming ubiquity of cancel culture amidst the increasingly fraught and divisive socio-political environment of today. Is "cancelling" offensive folx justified— or is cancel culture leading to an erosion of free speech as its opponents contend? As an activist informed by spiritual practice Gulnar finds herself contemplating: “Is cancel culture worth canceling?”
Presenter Details
Gulnar Feerasta
Director of Programs at a community based non-profit serving gender and sexual minorities, Al-Waeza| Nonprofit Practitioner| Social Worker| Social Justice Advocate & Educator| Community Activist
Tell you what you think of the reflect podcast: http://bit.ly/thereflect
In this episode, Hamed reflects on the question of character education from a philosophical and historical point of view. With all the changes to our lives globally in 21st century, he explores the question of who is in charge of educating good human beings or citizens. The role of tradition- or absence of it- in moral and character education of our youth is the focus of this introspection.
Presenter Details Hamed Ghofrani
Regional Academic Lead- ITREB Canada
In this episode, Hamed reflects on the question of character education from a philosophical and historical point of view. With all the changes to our lives globally in 21st century, he explores the question of who is in charge of educating good human beings or citizens. The role of tradition- or absence of it- in moral and character education of our youth is the focus of this introspection.
Presenter Details
Hamed Ghofrani
Regional Academic Lead- ITREB Canada
In this episode, Professor Nimjee reflects on connecting virtually to performing artists and the arts during the pandemic. She refers to the framework of rasa or rass, literally meaning the juice of something, to explore how a performer flavors their environment during a concert.
Presenter Details Dr. Ameera Nimjee
Musician, Dancer, and Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology & Asian Studies, School of Music, University of Puget Sound
In this episode, Purnur Ilolova reflects on the connections between spirituality and parenting. For her, parenting and spirituality are the most complimentary notions of being because in both states, one is relying on the unknown and the unseen. In searching for wisdom of the unknown, Purnur strives to meet the needs of her children while ensuring their wellbeing.
Presenter Details
Purnur Ilolova
International Development Specialist at Indiana University
In this episode, Purnur Ilolova reflects on the connections between spirituality and parenting. For her, parenting and spirituality are the most complimentary notions of being because in both states, one is relying on the unknown and the unseen. In searching for wisdom of the unknown, Purnur strives to meet the needs of her children while ensuring their wellbeing.
Presenter Details Purnur Ilolova
International Development Specialist at Indiana University
In this episode, Karim reflects on three generations of his family--from the struggle to acquire and understand the norms of Canadian life to the courage to respond and possibly revise them.
Presenter Details Dr. Karim Dharamsi
Professor of Philosophy and Chair of General Education, Mount Royal University
In this episode, Shamsah reflects on her experiences on the frontlines to think through the disparities in access to healthcare, that are even more pronounced now- during COVID times. She thinks about her role in addressing this social justice issue- and wonders what equal access to quality health care would look like if it was seen truly treated as a human right.
Presenter DetailsShamsah Malik Nurse Practitioner - Hospitalist- Department of Medicine at Harbor UCLA Medical Center/Los Angeles County Hospital, Doctor of Nursing Practice (candidate)
In this episode, Shamsah reflects on her experiences on the frontlines to think through the disparities in access to healthcare, that are even more pronounced now- during COVID times. She thinks about her role in addressing this social justice issue- and wonders what equal access to quality health care would look like if it was seen truly treated as a human right.
Presenter Details
Shamsah Malik
Nurse Practitioner - Hospitalist- Department of Medicine at Harbor UCLA Medical Center/Los Angeles County Hospital, Doctor of Nursing Practice (candidate)
In the weeks after Ramadan, Al-Waez Rahim Moledina finds himself missing being within the month and considers how its spirit might be carried forward. Over the last few years, he has had conversations with people from all walks of life who question the need for religion. In this episode, Al-Waez Rahim reflects on how missing Ramadan reminds him of a meaningful response to this question.
Presenter Details Al-Waez Rahim A. Moledina
Regional Manager of Leadership Education and Organizational Development inside of Canada’s private sector
In this episode, Alwaeza Sheizana Murji reflects on the value of washing our hands not only to rid ourselves of germs but also of what doesn’t serve us.
Presenter Details Sheizana Murji
Alwaeza and corporate lawyer
In this episode, Alwaeza Sheizana Murji reflects on the value of washing our hands not only to rid ourselves of germs but also of what doesn’t serve us.
Presenter Details
Sheizana Murji
Alwaeza and corporate lawyer
In this episode, Irfan reflects on the notion of "self", drawing on one of his songs titled "main, main nhe raha".
Presenter Details Irfan Sheen
Musician, lead singer of a New York City based band called "Fitoor"
In this episode, Irfan reflects on the notion of "self", drawing on one of his songs titled "main, main nhe raha".
Presenter Details Irfan Sheen
Musician, lead singer of a New York City based band called "Fitoor"
In this episode, Alwaeza Salima Versi grapples with how we can make sense of the truths we are given in the Qur'an when they seem at odds with the world these days, especially the idea that Allah does not burden us with more than we can bear.
Presenter Details Salima Versi
Alwaeza, Psychotherapist, and PhD Candidate & Instructor in Islam at the University of Alberta
In this episode, Alwaeza Salima Versi grapples with how we can make sense of the truths we are given in the Qur'an when they seem at odds with the world these days, especially the idea that Allah does not burden us with more than we can bear.
Presenter Details Salima Versi
Alwaeza, Psychotherapist, and PhD Candidate & Instructor in Islam at the University of Alberta
In this episode, Faheem Hussain reflects on his evolving relationship with nature and how the 'presence of mind' creates a harmony and co-existence with and within nature.
Presenter Details Faheem Hussain Teacher and Teacher Educator
In this episode, Dr. Ashnoor Nagji reflects on how delivering babies and working in refugee camps luminates how language literally levers our lives
Presenter Details Dr. Ashnoor Nagji
Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, UBC Associate Professor, School of Population and Public Health, UBC and IWTP Graduate
In this episode, Dr. Ashnoor Nagji reflects on how delivering babies and working in refugee camps luminates how language literally levers our lives
Presenter Details Dr. Ashnoor Nagji Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, UBC Associate Professor, School of Population and Public Health, UBC and IWTP Graduate
In this episode, Dr. Ashnoor Nagji reflects on how delivering babies and working in refugee camps luminates how language literally levers our lives
Presenter Details Dr. Ashnoor Nagji
Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, UBC Associate Professor, School of Population and Public Health, UBC and IWTP Graduate
In this episode, Latif Nurani reflects on prayer and spiritual life when traditional places of worship are closed.
Presenter Details Latif Nurani
Father, husband, educator, and lawyer
In this episode, Allahbakhsh Jaffery reflects on checking the blind spot as a metaphor to discuss the importance of looking at the past.
Presenter Details
Allahbakhsh Jaffery
IWTP Graduate and Business student, majoring in Accounting at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
In this episode, Allahbakhsh Jaffery reflects on checking the blind spot as a metaphor to discuss the importance of looking at the past.
Presenter Details Allahbakhsh Jaffery
IWTP Graduate and Business student, majoring in Accounting at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
In this episode, Dr. Karim Damji reflects on the joy and fulfilment that can be experienced through serving others.
Presenter Details
Dr. Karim F. Damji
Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alberta
In this episode, Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee reflects on social justice within Islam. She explores what role we play as individuals and as a humanity in making this world a better place.
Presenter Details
Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee
Clinical Psychologist, Founder and Director of Silm Centre for Mental Health
In this episode, Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee reflects on social justice within Islam. She explores what role we play as individuals and as a humanity in making this world a better place.
Presenter Details
Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee
Clinical Psychologist, Founder and Director of Silm Centre for Mental Health
In this episode, Fawziah Bhatia reflects on Rumi's quote "What hurts you blesses you. Darkness is your candle."
Presenter Details
Fawziah Bhatia
Certified Organizational Coach and Lifelong Learner
“Physical” and “Social” Distancing are at the heart of isolation amid Covid-19—with a huge loss of the contact that drives secular & faith-based communities. Yet isolation has also given birth to the very idea of community, from Islam and Christianity to civil rights movements. In this episode Dr. Sajoo asks, can we recognize the gift wrapped in the pandemic’s curse?
Presenter Details
Dr. Amyn B. Sajoo
Scholar-in-Residence, Simon Fraser University Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, Vancouver, Canada
In this episode, Ayso Milikbekov reflects on how poetry provides a mean to communicate with the Divine. Poetry provides space and mean to experience and express the Divine.
Presenter Details Ayso Milikbekov
MA student in Islamic Studies and Humanities, The Institute of Ismaili Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies.
In this episode, Ayso Milikbekov reflects on how poetry provides a mean to communicate with the Divine. Poetry provides space and mean to experience and express the Divine.
Presenter Details Ayso Milikbekov
MA student in Islamic Studies and Humanities, The Institute of Ismaili Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies.
In this episode, Professor Natasha Merchant reflects on the concept of hope and thinks through whether it is possible to foster a kind of hope which isn't tied to a specific want or outcome.
Presenter Details Dr. Natasha Hakimali Merchant
Assistant Professor of Multicultural & Social Studies Education at the University of Washington Bothell
In this episode, Rola Mustafa reflects on her journey of settlement and how her identity helped her naviagate through the hard time.
Presenter Details
Rola Mustafa
Community Support Manger at Islamic Family and Social Services Association
In this episode, Rola Mustafa reflects on her journey of settlement and how her identity helped her naviagate through the hard time.
Presenter Details Rola Mustafa
Community Support Manger at Islamic Family and Social Services Association
Every year during Ramadan, Dr. Rashid tries to be more intentional about his spiritual practice. Over the last few years, he has been reading prayers attributed to Imam Zayn al-Abidin (as). In this episode, Dr. Rashid reflects on what this Ramadan prayer teaches him during a global pandemic.
Presenter Details Dr. Hussein Rashid Founder of islamicate, L3C, a consultancy focusing on religious literacy and cultural competency
In this episode Professor Ali Virani reflects on the dynamic interactions between the Divine and the Human generally and especially on the Night of Qadr
Presenter Details Dr. Nargis Ali Virani
Senior Lecturer in Arabic, Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies, Emory University
In this episode Professor Ali Virani reflects on the dynamic interactions between the Divine and the Human generally and especially on the Night of Qadr
Presenter Details Dr. Nargis Ali Virani
Senior Lecturer in Arabic, Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies, Emory University
Presented in Urdu
In this episode, Anila Bano reflects on her personal interactions with the invisible.
Presenter Details Anila Bano
Alumni of Global Encounters and United World Colleges is a thinker and lover of creative expression.
She studies Biology and Psychology at Luther College.
In this episode, Anila Bano reflects on her personal interactions with the invisible.
Presenter Details Anila Bano Alumni of Global Encounters and United World Colleges is a thinker and lover of creative expression. She studies Biology and Psychology at Luther College.
In this episode Professor Ali Asani reflects on the importance of experiencing the Divine through beauty in its many and varied forms.
Presenter Details
Dr. Ali Asani Professor of Indo-Muslim and Islamic Religion and Cultures at Harvard University
Recitation of Qur'an by Zaheed Damani.
Welcome to the reflect, a podcast of The.Ismaili, featuring a unique introspection in each episode. “What’s got you preoccupied these days?” or “What thought are you in the process of working through?”. These are the questions our speakers respond to in our 7-minute episodes of the reflect. To subscribe to this series and other amazing podcasts, subscribe to The Ismaili Podcast Channel.