Dar es Salaam Mayor Hosts His Highness the Aga Khan 1959

1959: Never-Before-Seen Photos of His Late Highness Aga Khan IV in Dar es Salaam

4 April 2025

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By MALIK MERCHANT

Mr. Manilal Devani was elected Mayor of Dar es Salaam, Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in 1959. In October of that year, Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, visited Dar es Salaam and other towns across Tanzania. The Mayor hosted him and leaders of the Ismaili community for lunch at The Aquarium Restaurant in Dar es Salaam and organized meetings with the British Governor General, Sir Richard Turnbull, and other dignitaries.

Aga Khan with Mayor of Dar es Salaam
The 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV (d. February 4, 2025), is welcomed by the Mayor of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (then Tanganyika), Manilal Devani, in 1959. Photograph: Rohit and Nisheet Devani collection.

Upon the Aga Khan’s recent death on February 4, 2025, aged 88, the late Mayor’s nephew, Sanjay Devani, my friend since the 1980s, sent me a condolence note along with the photo of the Mayor and the Aga Khan, shown above. The photograph Sanjay so thoughtfully sent me has turned into an album after Sanjay, sensing my keen interest in the one picture he sent me, contacted Mayor Manilal’s sons, Rohit and Nisheet, who responded with a set of additional rare photos from their father’s collection. These precious images, so unique and exclusive, will deeply resonate with many readers of this website. I sincerely thank Rohit and Nisheet for their kindness and my beloved friend Sanjay for seeking these precious, rare photographs from his cousins on my behalf — a testament to our firm and enduring friendship.

The Mayor Manilal Devani and Mayoress Sushila Devani with Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. Photograph: Rohit Manilal collection.
Mayor Manilal Devani, Mayoress Sushila Devani and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, who assigned the Mayor to carry out important functions for the Government of Tanzania before and after independence. Photograph: Rohit and Nisheet Devani collection.

Mayor Manilal Devani, who died on June 10, 2010, was active in Tanzania’s commercial and public life for over 50 years. He served the Tanzanian Government and the local community in Dar es Salaam in many vital roles. We are pleased to share the Late Mayor’s historical and exclusive collection and invite readers to read the Rotarian’s tribute to him.

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Dar es Salaam Mayor Manilal Devani Hosts Mawlana Shah Karim Aga Khan, 1959

Aga Khan with Mayor Manilal Devani
Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, with Mayor Manilal Devani, Mayoress Sushila Devani, Hon. Al Noor Kassam, a prominent Ismaili leader (behind His Highness), and Mr. P. J. Bharwani (right), Dar es Salaam, 1959. Photograph: Rohit and Nisheet Devani collection.

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the aga khan with mayr of dar es salaam
Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, with Mayor Manilal Devani and Mr. Subotuik, owner of The Aquarium Restaurant, where the Mayor hosted Mawlana Shah Karim for lunch, Dar es Salaam, 1959. Photograph: Rohit and Nisheet Devani collection.

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Mayor Manilal Devani introduces Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, to a British dignitary, Dar es Salaam, 1959. Photograph: Rohit and Nisheet Devani collection.

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aga khan hosted by dar es salaam mayor
Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, is hosted for lunch by Mayor Manilal Devani as Mayoress Sushila Devani and Mr. Subotuik, the owner of The Aquarium Restaurant, watch over, Dar es Salaam, 1959. Photograph: Daily News via Rohit and Nisheet Devani collection.

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Aga Khan hosted by mayor of Dar es Salaam
Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, and Mayor Manilal Devani, with several guests at a buffet table in The Aquarium Restaurant, Dar es Salaam, 1959. Photograph: Rohit and Nisheet Devani collection.

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Aga Khan hosted for lunch at Aquarium Restaurant by Dar es Salaam Mayor Manilal Devani
Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, savours food as Mayoress Sushila Devani looks at him with a wide smile, Dar es Salaam, 1959. Photograph: Rohit and Nisheet Devani collection.

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aga khan hosted at the aquarium restuarant by mayor devani of dar es salaam
Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, and Mayor Manilal Devani, depart The Aquarium Restaurant, Dar es Salaam, 1959. Photograph: Rohit and Nisheet Devani collection.

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Mawlana Shah Karim, His Highness the Aga Khan IV, with British Governor to Tanganyika, Sir Richard Turnbull. Photograph: Rohit Devani collection.
Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, with British Governor of Tanganyika, Sir Richard Turnbull, Dar es Salaam, 1959. Photograph: Rohit and Nisheet Devani collection.

Date posted: April 4, 2025.

NOTE: A version of this post appears on our sister website, Barakah, dedicated to the Aga Khan, his family, and the Ismaili Imamat. His Late Highness Aga Khan IV’s son, Prince Rahim, succeeded him as the 50th Ismaili Imam on February 4, 2025, immediately after his father’s passing. This swift and seamless transition is a testament to the stability and continuity of the Ismaili Imamat. His Majesty King Charles III honoured him with the title of His Highness.

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