Editor's note: The following In Memoriam for Mohammed Ibrahim Ali, who died a year ago on March 15, 2014, has been submitted by his youngest son, Enoo, the well known Ismaili composer and musician from Orlando, Florida. Simerg invites obituaries/in memoriam pieces honouring your family members who have passed away. Please see submission guidelines and examples by clicking Obituaries and Tributes. ...
Mawlana Hazar Imam receives His Excellency Gordon Campbell at Aiglemont on March 4, 2015. Left to right: Malik Talib; Rouben Khatchadourian, Prince Rahim, HE Gordon Campbell, Mawlana Hazar Imam, Dr Mahmoud Eboo, and Dr Shafik Sachedina. AKDN/Cécile Genest Mawlana Hazar Imam received His Excellency Gordon Campbell, Canada's Representative to the Ismaili Imamat, at Aiglemont, France, on Wednesday, March 4, 2015. Recently ...
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un "Surely we belong to God and to Him we return." -- Holy Qur'an Did you know that Simerg offers to all its Ismaili readers around the world an opportunity to submit memorials to honour and celebrate the lives of beloved members of their families who have physically departed this world? The 48th Ismaili Imam, Mawlana ...
"Coming from Algeria, which is my country, I can tell you that you represent in Muslim world, in Islamic Ummah a very exceptional community, exceptional community for three reasons." -- Professor Arkoun, please click to read article "Heresiographic literature describes all the sects in Islam from one point of view, the Sunnite point of view, the Shiite point of view, telling ...
BY SHARIFFA KESHAVJEE Special to Simerg Midwives are frontline health care providers playing a vital role in reducing maternal mortality. The Aga Khan Hospital's Nursing and Midwifery Service is committed to providing effective and efficient care to meet the needs of its patients. The Service delivers a high standard of patient care that is intended to exceed expectations of patients, families ...
Editor's note: Mawlana Hazar Imam has arrived in East Africa to preside over the Aga Khan University Convocation in Dar-es-Salaam (February 24, 2015), Kampala (February 26) and Nairobi (March 2). We are pleased to publish the following excerpts from his speeches on the profession of nursing. EXCERPTS FROM MAWLANA HAZAR IMAM'S SPEECHES I. 1981...Inauguration of the Aga Khan School of Nursing, ...
Editor's note: This article has been abridged from a transcript of a speech given by the late Mohammed Arkoun to members of the Shia Imami Ismaili community in New York on April 23, 1985. The transcript was obtained from the archives of Alwaez Jehangir A. Merchant. Professor Arkoun passed away at the age of 82 in Paris, France, on Tuesday, September ...
BY SHARIFFA KESHAVJEE Special to Simerg Kundanben reminiscing after 55 years. Photo: Shariffa Keshavjee This is a revealing story with pictures of Kundan Paatni (nee Shah), a dedicated nurse who qualified from the Aga Khan School of Nursing and served at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi in the 1960's. Kundan's story is appropriate in light of the 2015 Aga Khan ...
"If self-effacement is achieved, the foundation of unity will have been well and truly laid...Be guided by the lives of men like Hasan bin Sabah and Pir Sadar Din." Prince Aly Khan (13 June 1911 - 12 May 1960) in Nagpur, India. The following can be identified (l to r): In turban and saafa with medal on his lapel is Late ...
BY SHARIFFA KESHAVJEE (Special to Simerg) Paan Leaves. Photo: Shariffa Keshavjee. Introduction Paan, commonly known as betel leaf is an evergreen and perennial creeper, with glossy heart-shaped leaves. The betel plant originated from India and South East Asia. The leaf is mostly consumed in Asia, and elsewhere in the world by some Asian immigrants as paan. Paan Vine - common in ...
Editor's note: While I constantly think of my mum, Alwaeza Maleksultan J. Merchant, as she continues her recovery at the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, near Vancouver, from an open heart surgery some 5 weeks ago, I felt I should re-post her excellent piece on Varas Ismail Gangji that she contributed as part of Simerg's highly acclaimed "I Wish I'd ...
The reference by the Persian Ismaili Missionary, Fida'i Khurasani, of the distribution of healing water by Imam Islamshah (a.s.), the 30th Ismaili Imam, is significant, as the practice of drinking water blessed by the Imam is frequently attested in Ismaili Ginans and continues to form part of the Ismaili tradition to this day. The use of such consecrated water is widely ...
Originally aired on PBS to a word-wide audience exceeding 150 million people "CANDID, THOUGHTFUL AND VISUALLY STUNNING" - Los Angeles Times Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s) changed world history in 23 years and continues to shape and inspire the lives of more than 1.4 billion Muslims around the world. Simerg is pleased to make available for its readers around the world a link ...
PLEASE CLICK: Ameer Kassam Janmohamed (1931-2014) or photo for tribute. ~~~~~~~ PLEASE CLICK: "Conversations on Three Continents" ~~~~~ PLEASE CLICK: Rediscovering a Lost Piece of Ismaili History -- First Steps in the Migration of Tanzanian Ismailis to Canada ~~~~~~ PLEASE CLICK: To the Memory of Roshan Thomas and Zeenab Kassam PLEASE CLICK: Roshan Thomas - Acting in the Path of God ...
LETTER FROM PUBLISHER Magellan spacecraft radar data enabled scientists to penetrate Venus' thick clouds and create simulated views of the surface. Venus is a dim world of intense heat and volcanic activity. Similar in structure and size to Earth, Venus' thick, toxic atmosphere traps heat in a runaway 'greenhouse effect.' The scorched world has temperatures hot enough to melt lead. Glimpses ...
Simergphotos: Celebrating Mawlana Hazar Imam's 78th Salgirah (Birthday) With a Rich Collection of Photos and Quotes~~~~~~A Collection of 48 (Plus 1) Memorable Images from the Life of the 48th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, His Highness the Aga Khan III ~~~~~~ Photo Essay: The Ismaili Centre - "Peace Through Prayer" and "A Splendid Reality" ~~~~~~ Photos and Videos: Simerg Captures the Spirit ...
BY QAYL MAHERALI Special to Simerg Qayl's FaceTime interview with Salim Not very long ago, Simerg had featured a photo piece about my interest in space and the dream I have to become an astronaut one day. The feature, Photo Essay: A 9 Year Old Ismaili Boy's First Steps of Becoming an Astronaut, followed my momentous meetings with some of the ...
As part of the 3rd anniversary of Simerg's photo blog, we bring you two previous features portraying the rich culture and history of Iran, and the meaning behind the logo of the Aga Khan University. Please click on the links or images shown below. 1.Iran and Alamut Like You Have Not Seen Before 2.The Magnificent Aga Khan University, its Symbolic Logo ...
This website's photo blog, Simergphotos, was launched just over three years ago. Together, Simerg with Simergphotos, has achieved a combined viewership of over two million - 1.8 million and 306,000 since 2009 and 2011 respectively. During the course of this time we have published memorable photo essays covering a vast array of subjects. Beginning this week, we bring you links to ...
THE FUNDAMENTAL MESSAGE OF RELIGION By Dr. Farouk Topan The pace of life today is said to be much faster than it was just a few decades ago. This is an axiom of our times. What, however, is not axiomatic is the corollary that is often assumed to stem from it, namely that spiritual value and worth get diminished in proportion ...
IMAM SULTAN MAHOMED SHAH, HIS HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN (1877 - 1957) Our beloved 48th Imam, Hazrat Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah (a.s.) was born in Karachi on November 2, 1877. He assumed the Imamat at the age of 7 in August 1885, and became the longest serving Imam in Ismaili history. He passed away on July 11, 1957, at the age ...
On the occasion of Prince Rahim Aga Khan's marriage to Princess Salwa on August 31, 2013, Simerg had published a special photo feature and poem honouring their union. Ismailis around the world now rejoice with their beloved Imam and his family as well as the family of Princess Salwa with the announcement that the couple are expecting their first child. We ...
Henry Kim, the CEO of the Aga Khan Museum pictured with members of Aljomaih Group, Trimark Capital, and Asharys who supported the inaugural exhibition entitled "The Garden of Ideas: Contemporary Art from Pakistan." Pictured (l to r): Aziz Shariff, Ann Smiley, Carolina Shariff, Ashraf Shariff, Henry Kim, Herve Steimes, Eric Hamid, Shan Ashary, Hussein Shamji, and Fallon Butler. Photo: Gary Otte/AKDN. ...
I 'Id-e-Ghadir is celebrated by the Shi 'ite communities to mark the event that took place at Ghadir Khumm (Valley of the Pond) on the 18th Dhul-Hijjah. This event commemorates the designation (appointment by way of nass) of Hazrat All as the 'Amir-ul-Mu'minin (commander of the faithful) and Imamul-Muslimin' (the Imam of the community of believers) at Ghadir-i Khumm when the ...
AN INSTALLMENT FROM SIMERG'S MUST READ SERIES ABOUT NASER-E KHOSRAW'S MEMORABLE JOURNEY TO FATIMID EGYPT "....The tallest mountain near Mecca is Abu Qubays, which is round like a dome, so that if you shoot an arrow from the foot of the mountain it reaches its top....Having come into the city, you enter the Haram Mosque, approach the Ka'ba, and circumambulate..... always ...
Simerg with the support of Ismaili artists from around the world is pleased to release the first official version ofA Compendium of Ismaili Artists, following a preview version that was circulated about a month ago. The new publication profiles more than thirty Ismaili visual artists from around the world - professionals and non-professionals alike. The compendium will be updated on a ...
The Jamatkhana Toronto BY SHARIFFA KESHAVJEE A thousand years and more A seed of faith planted In Khadak in Mumbai Transplanted to many soils India, Pakistan, Afghanistan Bagamoyo, Zanzibar, Mombasa Now the park on Wynford Drive The murid murshid seed Planted and transplanted Now sacred space of meeting People, stories, histories Identities, languages Fused, bonded, shared Nascent unity love and care ...
Jamat and Volunteers Speak from the Heart on this Auspicious and Historical Day BY MALIK MERCHANT Editor, Simerg and Simergphotos Happy Ismaili youth pictured at the Park at 10:30 pm after completing their volunteer duties at the Ismaili Centre on the opening day. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Happiness, happiness -- it was all around me as I walked about with enthusiasm to ...
Aga Khan Museum, the Ismaili Centre and their Park Perfect Breeding Ground for superb photo taking and winning great prizes including free membership By Malik Merchant, Editor The Aga Khan Museum catalogue and special children's books at the museum gift shop. Photo: Shellina Karmali. Thursday, September 18, 2014, marked the public opening of the new Aga Khan Museum located on Wynford ...
BY MALIK MERCHANT Editor, Members of the media gathered at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre where they were briefed about the sequence of events for the official opening of the Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum. Numbering around 35, they were were shuttled in two buses to the Ismaili Centre across the street for the first opening ceremony. One bus ...
EXCITEMENT IN THE AIR by Navyn Naran There is excitement, magic in the air. the Imam has arrived, the buildings are washed and rewashed with rain, the winds have combed out snarls and veils Gray, opaque clouds, as if cotton wool had been soaked in water and strewn over the ceiling here. ahh, cloudbreak. In the horizon, a peek of baby ...
CONTEMPLATION By Navyn Naran If x is a first dimension, y the second, z is the third, with the fourth being Time, and Space being the fifth, then ishq may be the sixth. Seventh be the absence of thought where the Soul meets the Eye. Could that be it? ishq is prerequisite for Nur. Maybe seventh is the ism-e-azam, as springboard ...
Simerg is delighted to introduce a preview edition of the long awaited arts compendium of Ismaili artists. The publication currently profiles 19 Ismaili visual artists from around the world, and more entries will be added as we hear from Ismaili artists - professionals and non-professionals alike. We ask that artists submit a brief profile and an image from one of their art ...
An artistic rendering of the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Museum and their Park. Photo: The Ismaili/Imara. Simerg is celebrating the public opening of the Aga Khan Museum on September 18, 2014, by launching a photography contest. A total of 25 photos, all related to the Aga Khan Museum, the Ismaili Centre and their Park taken from the time the grounds ...
1. FAITH by Pir Shihabu'd-Din Shah Faith (Iman) is like a tree, the roots of which go into the heart: its trunk is in reason, and its branches are in the instincts, while imagination is its new shoots and leaves - (senses of) the body. The foundation (asl) of faith is love for the Imam-e-Zaman (the Imam of the Time). And ...
On October 10, 2010, Bashir Fazal Ladha of the United Kingdom, during his visit to Toronto, went to Wynford Drive to see how the construction work of the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Museum and their Park was coming along. He writes: "It was a thrilling moment and I was full of excitement when I saw the progress, and in a ...
As work commenced on the large empty plot that had formerly housed the Bata Shoe Company, the trees that lined the perimeter of the site were carefully removed, and gave way to heavy construction equipment and trucks as well as hundreds of skilled professionals for the multi-year construction phase of new Aga Khan Museum, the Ismaili Centre and their Park. Cranes ...
The opening of the Aga Khan Museum to the public on September 18, 2014 has just been announced. To mark this special announcement, we repost below two winning essays by Emmanuel Iduma of Nigeria and Zohra Nizamdin of the USA from Simerg's essay competition on the subject "Why I am Excited About the Aga Khan Museum, the Ismaili Centre and their ...
Standing outside the city, Muhammad looked back lovingly on Mecca and said: "Of all God's earth, you are the dearest place unto me, and the dearest unto God. Had not my people driven me out from you, I would not have left you."...Read more....The Quintessential Marking Point of Islamic History A photo taken in 1889 showing a view of the city ...
Rachael Kohn: Hello, this is "The Ark", and I am Rachael Kohn. A thousand years ago a Persian poet defied the conventions of the day. His name was Nasir Khusraw, an Ismaili Muslim, a branch of Shi'a Islam. Instead of lavishing praise on the sultan or his horse, he praised learning and spiritual purity.....Click to read the Australian broadcaster's interview with ...
