Voices Connected
Stories Across Generations
Voices Connected: Stories Across Generations is part of ongoing efforts at The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) in intangible heritage stewardship through the Oral History Project (OHP), an initiative dedicated to documenting the contemporary history of Ismaili communities worldwide. Through documentary-style video podcasts, it brings together different generations of community members to explore sociocultural themes including sports, music, arts, and crafts. By preserving community memories and lived experiences, the series strengthens shared understanding of Ismaili heritage across generations and geographies.
Summits of Courage | Voices Connected - Episode 1
Summits of Courage
Episode One
Released on International Mountain Day, 11 December, Summits of Courage features voices from Afghan Badakhshan, Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan, and Tajik Badakhshan. Mountaineers, trekkers, and outdoor enthusiasts reflect on the strength and solidarity that mountain environments inspire. Their stories demonstrate how mentorship, mutual support, and service shape community life and are passed from one generation to the next.
Pioneering voices from mountain regions
The episode brings together the experiences of celebrated mountaineers, emerging athletes, and dedicated outdoor leaders. From Pakistan, Ashraf Aman, the first Pakistani to summit K2 in 1977, recalls a pioneering ascent that helped establish Pakistan’s presence in high-altitude mountaineering. Nazir Sabir, the first Pakistani to reach Mount Everest in 2000, reflects on decades of climbing several 8,000-metre peaks and advocating for the protection of fragile mountain environments. Their insights resonate with those of Samina Baig from Shimshal, Hunza, whose achievements continue to inspire women and girls across the region as the first Pakistani woman to summit Everest and to complete the Seven Summits. Adding to these perspectives, Sirbaz Khan, one of Pakistan’s leading contemporary climbers from Hunza, shares reflections from his ascent of more than twelve 8,000-metre peaks, contributing to a new generation of high-altitude mountaineers and expanding Pakistan’s presence on the world’s highest mountains.
From Afghan Badakhshan, Malang Darya shares the rich heritage of Pamiri mountaineering. He has climbed major peaks, including Noshaq, Koh-i Lala, and several 6,000-metre summits across the eastern Pamirs, demonstrating the endurance and skill that define mountain life in the region. Alongside him, Safina Shohaydarova, a young mountain guide from Tajikistan’s Badakhshan region, champions the growing participation and visibility of women in mountain sports. Air Commodore (Retd.) Naunehal Shah from Gilgit-Baltistan shares reflections on his leadership in the Ski Federation of Pakistan, where he trains youth, promotes safety, and advances environmental stewardship to strengthen mountain sports culture across the Karakoram.
Together, their stories reveal the shared values, aspirations, and mountain traditions that connect communities across these remarkable landscapes. Summits of Courage offers a vivid portrait of courage, resilience, and lived heritage, one that aligns closely with the global focus of International Mountain Day and honours mountain communities worldwide.
