Since the commencement of his Diamond Jubilee on July 11, 2017, His Highness the Aga Khan, Mawlana Hazar Imam, has visited 9 countries and flown more than 90,000 kilometres. At the age of 81, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismailis is the oldest reigning Imam in Ismaili history. We invite our readers to read and learn about his life through a treasury of insightful essays, memorable quotes, narratives, beautiful songs and stunning photographs, including rare and historical images, on our sister website Barakah. The following is Barakah’s table of contents as of March 26, 2018.

His Highness the Aga Khan at Barakah

March 2018

• NEWS: To Ismailis of Portugal — We are now preparing to be with you in Lisbon to celebrate the “highest point” of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan by Abdulmalik Merchant
• TRIBUTE: A message to Ismailis from 10 Downing Street for Navroz and for His Highness the Aga Khan’s special year
• NEWS: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits Ismaili Centre and awes Ismaili children on the festive occasion of Navroz by Abdulmalik Merchant
• NEWS: The beautiful Aga Khan Museum in Toronto brings the Fatimids, a remarkable Islamic dynasty, to its doors; must visit exhibition on until July 2, 2018by Abdulmalik Merchant
• EXPRESSIONS: “A picture is worth 10,000 words” – Beautiful flowers for the Aga Khan and his happiness at receiving them during his Diamond Jubilee visits
• NEWS: State welcome for His Highness the Aga Khan as he arrives in Atlanta, Georgia, to commence his USA Diamond Jubilee visit
• ESSAY: An important message to the USA Jamat: Family members and friends must “forget and forgive” past grudges and mistakes as they prepare for Hazar Imam’s Didar by Abdulmalik Merchant
• ESSAY: Important notes on baitul khayal, bol, the soul and Imam’s status as Mawlana Hazar Imam continues his journey to grace Jamats with Didar and Blessings by Shiraz Pradhan
• NEWS: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth holds glittering reception at Windsor Castle to celebrate His Highness the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee
• VIDEO: Mawlana Hazar Imam asks renowned Indian composer Salim Merchant to convey his blessings to all Ismaili artists
• EXPRESSIONS: For Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee, Kenya’s Ismailis use saadhri, the reed mat, as branding for their national arts festival; reed mat important in the Fatimid period by Abdulmalik Merchant

February 2018

• NEWS/HISTORIC AGREEMENTS: Highest point of the celebrations of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee will be in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 11, 2018
• NEWS: Wow! India’s Ismailis celebrate the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee visit with show of spectacular colours by Pink n Purple Photography
• TRIBUTE: Aga Khan demonstrates spirit of love of humanity through his activities by Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India by M. Venkaiah Naidu
• NEWS: The Aga Khan in India: (1) A thorough and comprehensive coverage, includes schedule of 11 day visit compiled and prepared by Abdulmalik Merchant
• VIDEO: Songs of affection for His Highness the Aga Khan: Mera Mawla Shah Karim Aa Raha Hai, and Salawat with an explanation by Fez Meghani (songs) and Shiraz Pradhan (Salawat)
• ESSAY: His Highness the Aga Khan to visit USA in March 2018: National Council President delivers inspiring video message by Barkat Fazal (message) and Abdulmalik Merchant (article, ethic of forgiveness)
• THEMES: His Highness the Aga Khan on the importance of Mumbai and India to his family and the Ismaili community by His Highness the Aga Khan
• NEWS: “A Dream Come True” – Reminiscences of the Aga Khan’s 2013 visit to India, as tens of thousands of joyous Ismailis await his forthcoming Diamond Jubilee visit by Toral Pradhan
• NEWS: Highlights from the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee year from July 11, 2017 to January 31, 2018: Spanning 205 days, Hazar Imam has visited 7 countries and flown 80,000 kms compiled and prepared by Abdulmalik Merchant

JANUARY 2018

• NEWS: The Aga Khan in UAE: (3) A thorough and comprehensive coverage  compiled and prepared by Abdulmalik Merchant
• NEWS: The Aga Khan in UAE: (2) Video and Photos of Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid receiving Imam of Nizari Ismailism compiled and prepared by Abdulmalik Merchant
• SPECIAL COLLECTIONS: Late Vazier Abdulalli & Fatema Motani collection: Rare and historical photos of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visits to Uganda 1957 to 1964
• NEWS: The Aga Khan in UAE: (1) Arrival in Dubai and preparations for the visit compiled and prepared by Abdulmalik Merchant
• SPECIAL COLLECTIONS: A splendid collection of photos of the Aga Khan’s visits to Dubai as Ismailis in UAE prepare for Diamond Jubilee mulaqat Compiled and prepared by Abdulmalik Merchant
• ESSAY: The Oncology Project in Uganda and Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Didar in Canada by Shellyza Moledina

DECEMBER 2017

• NEWS: Memories of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s momentous visit to Pakistan through photographs, stories and videos by Abdulmalik Merchant
• TRIBUTE: Exclusive – J. Patrick Boyer’s thought provoking insights on the Aga Khan as he talks about his book “Foreign Voices in the House” in an interview with Barakah by Patrick Boyer (interviewer Abdulmalik Merchant)
• NEWS: The Aga Khan in Pakistan: A thorough and comprehensive coverage of his Diamond Jubilee visit to Karachi, December 14-19, 2017 by Abdulmalik Merchant
• ESSAY: His Highness the Aga Khan in Pakistan: Zahiri-u-Noorani didar – A personal reflection of the darbar in Hunza by Faqir Ullah Khan
• NEWS: The Aga Khan in Pakistan: A thorough and comprehensive coverage of his Diamond Jubilee visit to Northern Pakistan, Dec. 7-14, 2017 by Abdulmalik Merchant
• EXPRESSIONS: His Highness the Aga Khan in Pakistan: A Chitral boy’s story of a beautiful moment with his beloved 49th Imam by Abdulmalik Merchant
• NEWS: Amazing photos of the Diamond Jubilee darbar preparations in Aliabad, Hunza, with arrival report of His Highness the Aga Khan to Pakistan by Faqir Ullah Khan
• NEWS: Ismailis on the roof of the world make incredible preparations for Diamond Jubilee Darbars of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan by Faqir Ullah Khan
• NEWS: In Pakistan, Jubilant Ismailis in remote Chitral prepare for Diamond Jubilee Visit of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, with enthusiastic support, help and cooperation of Muslim brothers by Abdulmalik Merchant

NOVEMBER 2017

• THEMES: His Highness the Aga Khan on the Holy Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) by His Highness the Aga Khan
• NEWS: Update #6: After a memorable 4-day encounter of the Ontario Ismailis with Mawlana Hazar Imam, 12,000 more strong souls await chance in Montreal to show their love for 49th Imam by Abdulmalik Merchant
• NEWS: Exclusive photo essay – Aga Khan presides over ceremony to honour individuals dedicated to pluralism – the ideal of living together peacefully and respectfully by Jean-Marc Carisse
• NEWS: Update#4 – Forthcoming visit by Mawlana Hazar Imam to Ismailis in Eastern Canada – Montreal’s highly organized registration process through my lens by Muslim Harji
• EXPRESSIONS: Update #5 – Forthcoming visit by Mawlana Hazar Imam to Ismailis in Eastern Canada – Ismaili children express love and devotion to their Imam with beautiful and symbolic works of art by Muslim Harji
• ESSAY: Update#3 – Forthcoming visit by Mawlana Hazar Imam to Ismailis in Eastern Canada – Important notes on Ism’ul Azam (Bol), Baitul Khayal, Imam’s true status and the soul by Shiraz Pradhan
• ESSAY: Update#2 – Forthcoming visit by Mawlana Hazar Imam to Ismailis in Eastern Canada – Applying the Islamic ethical principle of forgiveness in light of the holy visit by Abdulmalik Merchant
• Aga Khan receives Asia Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award with hope and prayer for peace in every community

OCTOBER 2017

• NEWS: Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, to visit his Ismaili followers in Eastern Canada in November 2017 by Abdulmalik Merchant
• TRIBUTE: David Johnston, 28th Governor General of Canada, and the Aga Khan, 49th Imam of Ismaili Muslims: An association that goes back to the 1980’s compiled by Malik Merchant
• 1936 – 1957: Reminiscences of the 1946 Diamond Jubilee of the 48th Ismaili Imam His Highness the Aga Khan III by Ismaili women of the time by Shariffa Keshavjee
• THEMES: Building God’s Kingdom – Prince Karim Aga Khan, the atomic Imam, on patriotism and community by Andrew Kosorok
• NEWS: Aga Khan honoured as “Champion for Global Change” at top UN gala event
• ESSAY: A Pearl for a Monarch of Faith and Practicality: Reflections of a Mwalimu on His Highness the Aga Khan by Austin Bukenya
• NEWS: 5 days to remember: The Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee visits to Uganda and Tanzania
• NEWS: His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Uganda for 55th Uhuru Day celebrations and to grace Ismailis with Darbar
• THEMES: The Aga Khan’s view of the World compiled by Salim and Zahida Rahemtulla

SEPTEMBER 2017

• THEMES: Larnin’ in the Post-Colonial world – The Atomic Imam speaks on education by Andrew Kosorok
• FAMILY: Prince Amyn Muhammad Aga Khan turns 80 – A thank you letter for a life of service and dedication to Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan by Azeem Maherali

AUGUST 2017

• NEWS: Asia Society event At UN to Honour Aga Khan for breathtaking achievements as hereditary 49th Imam compiled by Abdulmalik Merchant
• THEMES: On media – Advice from the Aga Khan for a new beginning for the world’s press by His Highness the Aga Khan

JULY 2017

• THEMES: On faith – The Aga Khan shares the secret to healing our modern age by Andrew Kosorok
• ESSAY: The architecture of empathic pluralism: His Highness the Aga Khan, an inspired vision of architecture by Bruno Freschi
• HISTORIC AGREEMENTS: The Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in Portugal introduced by Abdulmalik Merchant
• NEWS: In first public event of his Diamond Jubilee, Aga Khan is bestowed Portugal’s Grand Cross and an Honorary Doctorate compiled by Abdulmalik Merchant
•  MEMORABILIA: Lapel pin of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee by Abdulmalik Merchant
• VIDEO: Aga Khan’s Interview that was in archives for decades, until his Diamond Jubilee introduced by Abdulmalik Merchant
• NEWS: Quebec Ismailis Celebrate Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Diamond Jubilee by Muslim Harji
• EXPRESSIONS: Diamond Jubilee of Mawlana Hazar Imam: Homage…murids’ yearning by Jalal Jaffer
• THEMES: The Aga Khan on Imamat and the Ismailis: A selection of speeches he made in the 20th century
• ESSAY: Karim Aga Khan IV: Modern personification of historical Islamic rationalism, charity and peace by Michael Hamilton Morgan

JUNE 2017

• EXPRESSIONS: My journey at the Aga Khan Academy by Ziyaan Virji
• ESSAY: The Aga Khan and the Nation Media by Tazmin Jamal
• NEWS: The Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee: First song featuring Ismaili artists from around the world composed by Salim and Sulaiman

MAY 2017

• FILMS/VIDEOS: The Aga Khan and David Johnston inaugurate the Global Centre for Pluralism
• NEWS: Great photos of a “GREAT DAY” at 330 Sussex: Aga Khan and Canada’s Governor General open Global Centre for Pluralism Photos by Jean-Marc Carisse
• NEWS: Aga Khan arrives in Canada to open Global Centre for Pluralism; and photos of opening ceremony setting by Nurin and Abdulmalik Merchant
• THEMES: The Aga Khan on pluralism in an interdependent world
• ESSAY: Not all heroes wear capes – A Christian reflects on the Aga Khan by Andrew Kosorok
• 1936-1957: The Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee – Glimpses from “an incomparable occasion” introduced by Abdulmalik Merchant

APRIL 2017

• TRIBUTE: The Aga Khan’s spirit for a better world is “amongst the purest expressions of human fraternity” by René Lévesque
• ANECDOTE: Visionary media executive on the Aga Khan: “I was serving no ordinary man” by Michael Curtis

MARCH 2017

• 1936-1957: The Aga Khan –  Sweet and endearing stories of his childhood days in Kenya from the diary of Late Kaderali B. Patel
• ESSAY: The Aga Khan – A spiritual guide, an intellectual guide who is committed to a humanistic attitude that is rooted in classical Islamic thought by Mohammed Arkoun
• TRIBUTE: The Aga Khan Bears Serious Responsibility of His Office with “Smile of a Prince” by Léopold Sédar Senghor
• TIMELINE: 1995 The Aga Khan’s First Visit to Badakhshan, A Historic Day the Ismailis Will Never Forget by Gulnar Saratbekova (with additional material compiled and prepared byMalik Merchant)
• FAMILY: Prince Sinan Aga Khan: First official photos shared by Prince Rahim and Princess Salwa

FEBRUARY 2017

• FILMS/VIDEOS: Noteworthy Aga Khan Videos from the Vincent Scully Award Ceremony Held at the National Building Museum in 2005 introduced by Abdulmalik Merchant
• TRIBUTE: The Aga Khan stands out as an icon of  action by James Wolfensohn
• ESSAY: The Aga Khan – From an Ismaili Muslim Imam to a Global Citizen and Virtual Head of States by Nizar A. Motani
• BARAKAH – His Highness the Aga Khan, A Visual and Textual Celebration by Abdulmalik Merchant

Please visit http://www.barakah.com regularly and also share it with your family members and friends around the world. Barakah’s facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/1000fold!

Date posted: February 25, 2018.
Last updated: February 27, 2018.

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