Aga Khan Cuts Birthday Cake on visit to Toronto in 1978, Simerg

Ismaili Muslims Celebrate 86th Birthday of Mawlana Shah Karim Al Hussaini Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan

Please click: Glimpses Into the Ismaili Imamat

On the auspicious occasion of His Highness the Aga Khan’s 86th birthday on December 13, 2022, we wish Ismailis around the world and friends of the Ismaili community Salgirah Mubarak.

Since the time of Hazrat ‘Ali, the first Shia Imam, the Light (Noor) of Imamat has illuminated the path of followers and guided their spiritual and intellectual understanding of Islam. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan is the current bearer of the Light. He is the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims and a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through his cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat ‘Ali, and his wife, Hazrat Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter. Ismailis affectionately address him as Mawlana Hazar Imam (meaning Our Lord, the Present Living Imam).

Article continues below; please click on calligraphy to read complete piece in Barakah, a website dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan

Calligraphy on the auspicious occasion of the Aga Khan's birthday, Simerg
Calligraphy: Border – Shah Karim in square Kufi; Central – Shah Karim Imam-e-Zaman in eastern Kufi. Artist: Karim Ismail, Toronto, Canada.

Upon acceding to the Imamat on July 11, 1957 at the age of 20, His Highness declared that he had dedicated his life to the uplift and progress of Ismailis worldwide. Few at that time could have imagined the scope and depth of this lifelong commitment, which today exceeds not only to the Ismaili Muslims, but also to the wider communities within which they live.

Continuing his forefathers’ long tradition of Muslim leadership and service to humanity, His Highness, has devoted more than 65 years of his life towards upholding the dignity of man, promoting peace and stability and working towards the common good of all peoples, regardless of their origin or religion.

As Ismailis around the world celebrate the 86th birthday of His Highness, they express their heartfelt gratitude to him for his love and guidance that has enriched their lives and enlightened their souls.

Please read the complete piece on our sister website Barakah.

Date posted: December 11, 2022.
Last updated: December 12, 2022.

Featured image at top of post: Mawlana Hazar Imam is presented with a birthday cake by Ismaili leaders in Toronto, Canada, November 1978. Photograph: Zinat Virani Family Collection, Vancouver.

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Before departing this website, please take a moment to review Simerg’s Table of Contents for links to hundreds of thought-provoking pieces on a vast array of subjects including faith and culture, history and philosophy, and arts and letters to name a few. Also visit Simerg’s sister websites Barakah, dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan, and SimergphotosThe editor may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com.

One thought on “Ismaili Muslims Celebrate 86th Birthday of Mawlana Shah Karim Al Hussaini Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan

  1. Ya Ali madat,
    Salgirah Koussialy Mumbarakis to all ismailis sisters and brothers .
    Mohez nato and family

    Ode to the Imam of the Present Time
    On this day of December 13th, 2022.

    In the name of Allah the Most Clement, the Most Merciful,

    At the first hours of this Blessed Day of Your Birthday oh Beloved Khoudavind, millions and millions of voices of Your Murids of Your Globalized Jamat, will invoke the Grace, the Mercy of Allah so that You have a Good Health, a Long Life, a serene family Happiness and that all Your dear wishes are realized.

    And may You always remain this bright Lighthouse in this World which is going through a deep sanitary crisis , accompanied by climatic disturbances, wars and the noise of boots, socio-economic troubles in a world in full geopolitical changes.

    And we will also have, on this Happy Day, affectionate thoughts filled with gratitude, esteem and sincere recognition for all the Members of Your Noorani family for their tireless commitment to make radiate throughout the world all Your wishes, Projects and who present Your Jamat, as Muslims Shia Ismaili Imami Nizari responsible, worthy and bearers of values and humanistic projects with universal scope.

    On this Happy Anniversary Day, we will renew as Your Spiritual Children bound by the Bhayatt, our unwavering attachment to Your Spiritual Authority. We humbly express our Sincere Sukranas for Your high benevolence, Your Hidayaths, Your Farmans to always protect us, guide us to the right path of Siratal-Mustaquim and encourage us for the spiritual quest.

    With Your constant guidance, O Being of Light, we seek, as Murids living a faith of conviction, as Ambassadors of Islam, as worthy and responsible Dais, to apply the precious precepts of the Ethics of our faith. And as You advice us, we never forget to always remember the Presence of Allah in our life journey.
    And in this troubled world, we seek, thanks to Your vision of a contemporary Enlightened Islam, to extend these precepts in our daily commitments as loyal, responsible and committed citizens in the pluralist, tolerant and generous civil society.

    Good health and long life to our Imam of the Present Time!

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