“Look at the mountains, the rivers, the trees, the flowers, as evidence of Allah’s love for the people He has created”
His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Ismaili Imam, is seen addressing his followers in Ishkashim, Badakhshan, during his first historic visit to the region in 1995.
“The Qur’an refers very often to nature as a reflection of Allah’s power of creation, and it says, look at the mountains, the rivers, the trees, the flowers, as evidence of Allah’s love for the people whom He has created. Today, I look at the environment and I say to you, I believe Allah is smiling upon you, and may His smile always be upon you.” — His Highness the Aga Khan speaking in a mountainous setting in Badakhshan in 1995.
Visitors enjoying fall colours on the grounds of Rideau Hall. Please click on image for photos of autumn foliage in Ottawa-Gatineau, the National Capital Region. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg
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“When I invited Professor Maki, a master of form and light, to design this [Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat] building, I made a suggestion to him – one that I hoped would help connect this place symbolically to the Faith of Islam. The suggestion I made focused on creating a certain mystique, centred around the beautiful mysteries of rock crystal.
The architecture of the dome of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat Building seen above from Jacques Cartier Park is centred around the beautiful mysteries of rock crystal. Please read the Ismaili Imam’s quote and click on image for photos of Ottawa-Gatineau foliage. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg
“Why rock crystal? Because of its translucency, its multiple planes, and the fascination of its colours – all of which present themselves differently as light moves around them. The hues of rock crystal are subtle, striking and widely varied – for they can be clear or milky, white, or rose coloured, or smoky, or golden, or black.
Please click: Photo Essay: The Beauty and Glory of Autumn Foliage in Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada’s Capital Region
“It is because of these qualities that rock crystal seems to be such an appropriate symbol of the profound beauty and the ever-unfolding mystery of Creation itself – and the Creator. As the Holy Qur’an so powerfully affirms, “Allah is the Creator and the Master of the heavens and the earth.” And then it continues: ‘Everything in the heavens and on earth, and everything between them, and everything beneath the soil, belongs to Him’.” — His Highness the Aga Khan, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat Building in Ottawa on December 6, 2008.
Date posted: Sunday, October 25, 2015.
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I forgot to say, your car with its number plate of ‘SIMERG’ is what my friend from Toronto and I from UK were able to ride in, with you as our Tour Guide on our day out to Ottawa. That was my dream come true! The foliage in Autumn in Canada is most beautiful. Thank you!
I feel Mawlana Hazar Imam’s quote in my every cell and was most spiritually touched when I first heard it. Thank you Simerg for the exuberant paintings of God.
Having been to Canada during what you call ‘fall’, we in UK call it ‘autumn’ your photos are exhilarating, inspiring lifting up one’s spirit with the Front piece of Mowlana Hazar Imam’s quotation on Nature. Thank you!,
Subhanullah…proud to be the most obedient child of the glorious Imam-e-Zaman, the universal truth, the glistering star,the towering beauty….Sarkar Mawlana Hazar Imam salwatullah alihe…