In a memorable and intimate gathering at the Global Encounters Festival in Dubai, over 150 alumni and supporters of The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) came together for a special event hosted by the IIS Alumni Relations Unit and Donor Relations Unit. The private event offered a space for reconnection, reflection, and celebration not only of shared histories, but of a commitment to knowledge, service, and ethical leadership.
The programme opened with remarks by Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Shah, President of the Asia Chapter Group of the IIS Alumni Network. In his speech, he welcomed the participants and reflected on the transformational journey that alumni experienced as students at IIS. He emphasised how the knowledge cultivated at The Institute continues to be translated into tangible impacts across the globe, from grassroots development to academia, public policy, and enterprise. He also called on alumni to reflect on their continued engagement with IIS, encouraging a form of contribution that goes beyond symbolic gestures, rooted in meaningful action, insight-sharing, and presence.
Following the president’s remarks, Mr. Nagib Kheraj, Coordinator of the IIS Board of Governors, offered reflections that echoed and expanded on the theme of partnership. He emphasized that what The Institute values most from its alumni is dialogue, the exchange of experiences, learning, and wisdom. Mr. Kheraj expressed appreciation for the work being done by alumni around the world and reaffirmed The Institute’s commitment to nurturing this evolving partnership, in line with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan V.
Professor Zayn Kassam, Director of IIS, delivered the keynote. In her characteristically profound and eloquent manner, she reminded the audience of the intellectual legacy that IIS fosters. She urged alumni to not only think, but to carry the weight of their intellectual inheritance with courage, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to the values of pluralism, justice, and inquiry.
A highlight of the morning was the panel discussion between renowned Pakistani singer and philanthropist Shahzad Roy and seasoned journalist Jazzmin Jiwa. In a wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation, Shahzad Roy spoke about his journey as an artist in a country where music has historically struggled for space. He then pivoted to his work with Zindagi Trust and his contributions to educational reform in Pakistan. One of his landmark achievements was successfully advocating for amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code, specifically, removing legal protections that once shielded teachers who use corporal punishment.
Roy explained that this campaign was sparked by a tragic incident in Sindh, where a student was permanently injured due to violence in a classroom. He emphasised that the challenge was not merely legal but deeply cultural, including a widespread acceptance, even appreciation, of corporal punishment as a rite of passage. “Unfortunately,” he noted, “many successful people attribute their achievements to the discipline they received through punishment.” Changing this mindset, he argued, is a longer and harder journey than changing the law.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Ms. Attiyaa Nathoo, Secretary of the Asia Chapter Group. She offered sincere thanks to all speakers and attendees, and especially to the IIS team whose dedication made the gathering possible. She encouraged alumni to continue serving, connecting, and growing as a global community, grounded in learning and a shared sense of purpose.
After the formal program, a breakfast reception offered space for alumni to reconnect; some seeing their cohort and classmates after decades. Alumni from the 1980s and 1990s found themselves deep in conversation with graduates from the 2010s and 2020s, discovering both common roots and new insights. The room was filled with laughter, warm embraces, and the energy of reunion. The atmosphere was one of belonging, not just to an institution, but to a living, evolving intellectual and ethical tradition.
This gathering in Dubai was more than an event. It was a celebration of the enduring ties that bind the IIS community across generations and geographies; of ties rooted not only in shared memory but in shared responsibility.
