Simerg

Calligraphy by Karim Ismaili on the auspicious occasion of Mawlana Hazar Imam's 63rd Imamat Day Anniversary. Editor's note: This is a very condensed, yet comprehensive, post on the munajat, Ya Ali Khuba Mijalas. For the complete version, which offers much more in terms of the ginan's history, composition, style, and explanation with a glossary, please click Original article. By Sadrudin K. Hassam ...

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Editor's note: This is a very condensed, yet comprehensive, post on the munajat, Ya Ali Khuba Mijalas. For the complete version, which offers much more in terms of the ginan's history, composition, style, and explanation with a glossary, please click Original article. By Sadrudin K. Hassam INTRODUCTION Popular tradition has it that the munajat,Ya Ali Khuba Mijalas, was first recited during ...

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His Highness the Aga Khan: Ceremonial installation, Kampala, Uganda On July 11, 2015, which coincides with the 25th day of Ramadan, Ismailis around the world are celebrating the 58th Imamat Anniversary of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan. The poetry and thank you letter produced in this post are expressions of gratitude and love the Ismailis carry in their ...

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"The Imam's true face is to be perceived with the eyes of the heart. He has thousands of physical habitations, but his true home is traceless; He has had a thousand names, but all of them refer to one reality." 33rd Ismaili Imam 'Abd al-Salam, 15th Century 1. SUCCESSION Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan III. Photo Copyright National Portrait Gallery, ...

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LETTER FROM PUBLISHER By Abdulmalik Merchant Cover page, Children of Time - the Aga Khan and the Ismailis. originally scheduled for publication during the Golden Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan, is 8 years overdue. For almost 8 years now, I have been awaiting the release of "Children of Time" which was scheduled to be published by I.B. Tauris, on ...

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INTRODUCED BY ABDULMALIK MERCHANT A very happy moment in my life when I travelled to Brown University from Philadelphia in 1996. I snapped this picture of my beloved 49th Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, and only realized that he was looking straight at my camera after I got the film processed in Philadelphia a couple of days later. Photo by ...

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LETTER FROM PUBLISHER By Abdulmalik Merchant Canada's Confederation Day, the American Independence Day, Tanzania's Saba Saba celebrations and the Imamat Day of His Highness the Aga Khan, all fall in the month of July. Canada is already preparing for its 150th birthday two years hence when Ismailis around the world will, inshallah, celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of their beloved 49th Imam, ...

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"[Pir Sabzali and Meghji Missionary] drew all their courage and strength from their intense and ardent practice of Ibadat and went out to accomplish their missions with intelligence and knowledge, and with the firm belief that the help of Hazar Imam was always with them." A youthful portrait of the Ismaili missionary, Meghji Maherali (1881 - 1941), of Mombasa, Kenya. Photo ...

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"....It [Ramadan] is a time of spiritual renewal and a reminder of one's duty to our fellow man -- to serve one another and lift up the less fortunate. The Qur'an teaches that God's children should tread gently upon the earth and, when confronted by ignorance, reply 'peace.' In honoring these familiar values together -- of peace and charity and forgiveness ...

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"I WISH I'D BEEN THERE" 1970: Mansoor Ladha, veteran award winning journalist, writer and author, interviewing His Highness the Aga Khan for Tanzania's daily, The Standard (now Daily News). Photo: Mansoor Ladha Collection. Copyright. BY MANSOOR LADHA As a journalist, a writer and an author, what better time to be than reporting milestones and significant events during the Fatimid Period or ...

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"I WISH I'D BEEN THERE" "To witness that moment of unveiling when Imam al-Mahdi rode out to meet his followers stands for me above all the other moments of glory, intrigue and devastation throughout Ismaili history.... And those followers at Sijilmasa fell at his feet in the most sincere devotion to their spiritual guide." Sijilmasa was a mediaeval trade entrepôt at ...

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Letter from Publisher Muslim Harji's portrait of an Ismaili girl in the Wakhan Corridor of Badakhshan. Little Suranoor is seen having her breakfast before getting ready for school in the Village of Namadgut. By Abdulmalik Merchant When my parents visited me in Voorhees, New Jersey, during the spring of 1995, we would together walk to the main library twice a week. ...

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LETTER FROM PUBLISHER By Abdulmalik Merchant Muslim Harji, a regular contributor to this website and its sister blog, Simergphotos, says that his recent visit to Central Asia with his wife Nevin was the best trip of his life, surpassing the jouney he had made to Iran some time ago. His visit to Badakhshan, in particular, has resulted in a perfect blend ...

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Editor's Note: The list is incomplete and the remaining links will be added during the course of the next few days. MIDDLE EAST PLEASE CLICK:Dubai's Jewel: The Ismaili Community's Congregational Space A view of the main entrance hall of the Ismaili Centre, Dubai draws architectural inspiration from the Fatimid mosques in Cairo. At the centre of the colourfully patterned marble floor ...

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COMPILED BY SIMERG Please click on photo for enlargement A portrait of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims. Photo: AKDN/Anya Campbell. Copyright. In an unprecedented historical event, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, and Portugal's Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Rui ...

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PATRON AND BUILDER Please click on photo(s) for enlargement Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims directly descended from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.), is the builder of the Aga Khan Museum, the Ismaili Centre and the newly opened Aga Khan Park that connects the two buildings. Photo: AKDN/Anya Campbell. Copyright. ______________ THE ...

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WHERE NATURE GIFTS THE OUTDOORS The Aga Khan Park. Photo: AKDN/Moez Visram. Copyright. BY NAVYN NARAN Its a place for contemplation, for enjoyment, for reflection, In quiet pools with glimmering surfaces, and bubbling of laughter. In the presence of oneself or a group of others, Welcome to the garden. For nightime quiet, For morning awakening, And daytime walks For enjoying the ...

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REFLECTIVE POOLS IN THE GARDEN, WELCOME TO THE PARK By Navyn Naran The park has been busy with many preparations, t'was a sunny bright day and the place was a-buzz, No honey bees in sight, trees, crisp in their posture Readying for the performance, the opening of the park. Excitement and interest, can be seen and be heard At the museum ...

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BY ABDULMALIK MERCHANT It is indeed a pleasure for Simerg to present a collection of photos with interviews that were done at the site of the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre on the occasion of Toronto's 16th Annual Doors Open held during the weekend of May 23-24, 2015. These two new Islamic gems were added to this year's Doors ...

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LETTER FROM PUBLISHER"Despair not of the Spirit of Allah. Lo! None despaireth of the Spirit of Allah save disbelieving folk." (Holy Qur'an, Chapter 12, Verse 87). The recent tragedy in Karachi, where dozens of innocent Ismailis were the subject of wanton violence is extremely disquieting. Besides questioning the humanity of our fellow citizens, it may serve to bring to the fore the ...

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"....Life is utterly sacred in all Faiths, and in Islam it has a special sanctity that outweighs the holiness of all sacred spaces, so much so that for the Ka'bah to crumble into dust is less a concern than that for one drop of innocent blood to be spilled! I am saddened by the senseless loss of life around the world, ...

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KARACHI, PAKISTAN - MAY 13: Relatives of injured and killed cry and wait outside a hospital following a gun attack on a bus carrying members of Ismaili Shia community, in Karachi, Pakistan, 13 May 2015 that killed at least 45 people including over a dozen women and injuring more than 14 people. (Photo by Sabir Mazhar/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) A genuine outpouring ...

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AGONY AND GRIEF IN KARACHI Click for enlargement KARACHI, PAKISTAN - MAY 13: Relatives of injured and killed cry and wait outside a hospital following a gun attack on a bus carrying members of Ismaili Shia community, in Karachi, Pakistan, 13 May 2015 that killed at least 45 people including over a dozen women and injuring more than 14 people. (Photo ...

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BY ABDULMALIK J. MERCHANT Publisher-Editor, Simerg "Development is ultimately about people, about enabling them to participate fully in the process and to make informed choices and decisions on their futures." - His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th Ismaili Imam speaking in 2013, excerpt on a panel display at the exhibition. Stephanie in front of the exhibition bus. Please watch her interview ...

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Photo: The Trustees of the British Museum. Copyright. Click on image for article, I Have a Time with God "While ascent (al-ma'arij) in its simple meaning gives a clue to the upward direction of the Prophet's journey, it proclaims very emphatically that if God has placed man on this earth, He has also set up a ladder for man to climb ...

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By Abdulmalik J. Merchant Publisher-Editor, Simerg.com I was among the thousands of Ismailis across Canada who received this tiny object of sublime grace and beauty on the occasion of the 78th Salgirah (birthday) of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, on December 13, 2014. The octagonal pin commemorates last September's opening of the magnificent Toronto Ismaili Centre. As a ...

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THE IMAMS We are the tree of Prophethood, the place of descent of Divine revelation, the place of frequenting of the angels, and the mainsprings of knowledge. Those who help us and love us await (God's) mercy.....Hazrat Ali ~~~ Introduction: The birthday anniversary of Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s.) is commemorated on the 13th Rajab (corresponding to May 2, in the year ...

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The following is a selection of comments received from readers in response to Simerg's recent posts concerning Syria, namely:Prayers for Syria - An Aid in Righteous Resistance Against EnemiesandA Message to Our Beloved Ismaili Brothers and Sisters in Syria: Our Hearts and Prayers are With You, You are Never Alone! LETTERS Ya Ali Madad: Friend, brother... I have so much pain ...

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Please click on photo(s) for enlargement Yellowstone's Heart Spring received its name because of the heart-like shape of the crater. It is 8x13 feet and has a depth of 16 feet. Heart Spring has had temperature fluctuations from 150-202°F. This wide range of temperature has allowed microbial growth to form varicolored patterns. This spring is typical of many of Yellowstone's thermal ...

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Prince Rahim and Princess Salwa during their nikah ceremony in September 2013. Photo: TheIsmaili / Gary Otte Compiled by Simerg Following last October's happy announcement by Prince Rahim Aga Khan and Princess Salwa that that they were expecting their first child, a son named Prince Irfan, was born in Geneva, Switzerland on 11 April, 2015. The couple were married in September ...

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This calligraphy by an Ottoman artist Fakhri ibn Vali el-Brusevi has the following inscription on it: "Call upon Ali who causes wonders to appear, you will find him a help to you in adversity, all anguish and sorrow will disappear through your friendship oh Ali, oh Ali, oh Ali." Photo Credit: The Trustees of the British Museum. Copyright. LETTER FROM PUBLISHER ...

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Click for enlargement Salamiyah and surrounding areas shaded in yellow. Map: Adapted by Simerg from a map produced by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please click for enlargement. LETTER FROM PUBLISHER In a special post on January 30, 2013, we had mourned the death of numerous members of the Jamat who were brutally killed in Salamiyah, Syria, ...

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BY YASMIN HASAN (Special to Simerg) Written over the past 15-20 years, this small collection of my poems seeks to convey the essence of my doubts, fear as well as hopes during some of the most challenging periods in my life. I should reiterate, however, that the power of grace, illumination and love that I have felt in my heart and ...

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A view of the African and Middle Eastern Reading Room at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Inset the Main Building. Photo: Library of Congress, USA. INTRODUCTION In 1945, the US Library of Congress (LOC) purchased a collection of printed books and manuscripts form Shaykh Mahmud al-Iman al-Mansuri, professor of religion at the al-Azhar University, Cairo. Assembled by the Shaykh ...

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The recent discovery of 2000 gold coins from the Fatimid Period has received world wide media coverage. The following three minute video presentation summarizes the coin findings as well as conveys the feelings of Dr. Robert Kool, curator of coins at the Israel Antiquities Authority. For a detailed piece and photos about this Fatimid treasure find please see Phys.org's article Largest ...

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Howard Shearer Highly accomplished, Jamaican born Howard Shearer served as a member of McMaster University's Board of Governors while heading Hitachi Canada Ltd. as its President and CEO. In an interview with the University's McMaster Times for its 2008 Winter/Spring edition, Mr. Shearer talked about "Leading by a Moral Compass" that readers of this website will find interesting. When asked, "What ...

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STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, seen walking past the water pond of the Park located between the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Museum during the opening ceremony in September 2014 of the two cultural gems built by the 49th Ismaili Imam. Photo: The website of ...

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Conceived and created by Nurin Merchant of Ottawa, this Navroz greeting incorporates the rose and jasmine flowers which adorn entrances of Iranian homes during the celebration of the New Year. The base of the picture shows shoots of wheat grass signifying robust evergreen health throughout the year. Image: Nurin Merchant. Copyright. Editor's note: For seven years now, since 2009, the Smithsonian ...

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I. Convocations By Shariffa Keshavjee (Special to Simerg) The Parklands Pavillion was transformed to host the Aga Khan University convocation ceremony in Nairobi. AKDN / Zahur Ramji Convocations are commencements Reflecting the past Looking at the future Appreciating The guiding rope That God has cast We hold fast to it The pendulum moves We appreciate The circular geometry It binds us ...

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