Comments on: Voices: Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan III – Imam Speaks of Burmese Patriotism; Memorial Plate at Jamatkhana Honours 31 Ismaili Lives Lost in WWII Bombardment http://simerg.com With a particular focus on the cultural, intellectual and textual expressions of the Ismailis and related Muslim traditions. Weekly quote: “...You can have nothing in your pocket, and only the clothes and the shoes you wear, but if you have a well educated mind, you will be able to seize the opportunities life offers you, and start all over again.” – His Highness the Aga Khan, The Peterson Lecture, Atlanta, USA, April 18, 2008. Mon, 28 May 2012 02:21:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Amyn Essa http://simerg.com/about/voices-sir-sultan-muhammad-shah-aga-khan-iii-imam-speaks-of-burmese-patriotism-memorial-plate-honours-31-ismaili-lives-lost-in-wwii-bombardment/#comment-4870 Thu, 13 May 2010 05:16:51 +0000 http://simerg.com/?page_id=7753#comment-4870 My family is also from Burma. And my father and grand father have told me many stories about Mawla’s visit. I also have a photograph of Hazar Imam in Burmese dress with his signature. And on top of the frame its written “LORD OF THE AGE”

]]> By: abbas http://simerg.com/about/voices-sir-sultan-muhammad-shah-aga-khan-iii-imam-speaks-of-burmese-patriotism-memorial-plate-honours-31-ismaili-lives-lost-in-wwii-bombardment/#comment-1984 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:35:30 +0000 http://simerg.com/?page_id=7753#comment-1984 SOME VIVID RECOLLECTIONS FROM AN ISMAILI WHO RESIDED IN BURMA.

I have read the article and seen the photos with interest and I am glad you have recorded this as part of your series.

Of course the bombing was an extremely sad day for us and I wish to expand on this and a few other matters a little bit.

(1) The bombing really went wrong. The actual position of the Jamatkhana was next to a police quarter. The first bomb missed the target and when the second one came down it also missed the target but instead hit the Jamatkhana as both were in the same line.

(2) Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah visited Rangoon with Mata Salamat in 1951. The arrangements that were in place were extremely well coordinated and there were approximately one thousand people in attendance for the Mulaqat with the Imam. A marriage ceremony was also held and the brides and the bridegrooms sat in front of the stage where Mawla and the Begum were seated. When the Imam and Begum later visited the royal reception in the presence of the Prime Minister, the Imam wore a magnificent Burmese costume.

Then later when Mawlana Hazar Imam visited Burma in 1960, he was also photographed in a Burmese costume. That visit was remarkable because Hazar Imam celebrated Navroz with the Burmese Jamat and conveyed Navroz Mubarak in a Farman which is widely known and read every Navroz around the world.

I migrated to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1965. Hopefully I can put together something about my migration experience – an 18 day journey from Rangoon to Dacca.

(3) Here are some details about the Jamatkhana as per my recollection:

Ground Floor: It had 2 businessses alloted to non-Jamati members – one a medical store, and the second one a car tire showroom

First Floor: The religious education centre and other Jamati institutions such as health, scout, education were located here.

2nd and 3rd Floor were prayer halls. Both Hazar Imam and Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah visited these floors and gave Mulaqat to the Jamat.

4th Floor – has a library

Jamatkhana has a lift for those who cannot climb the stairs.

It is located in the centre of the commercial hub.

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