Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un
“Surely we belong to God, and to Him we return” — Holy Qur’an, 2:156
“Life is a great and noble calling, not a mean and grovelling thing to be shuffled through as best as we can but a lofty and exalted destiny.” — Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III (1877-1957), 48th Ismaili Imam.
I have learned with deep sadness that Kamadia Alijah Elhaque Nizar Dhananj, originally of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has passed away in London, UK, at the age of 59. Though not personally known to me, because I left London when he was in his early teens, Elhaque was fondly remembered by my mum, Mrs. Merchant, who taught him for many years in London’s Baitul Ilm classes during the 1970s and 1980s. She fondly recalled Elhaque as a top, well-disciplined, and enthusiastic student, and always cherished the wonderful memories of his Baitul Ilm years.
Following a family tradition of service to the Imam-of-the-Time and the Ismaili community — his father, Nizar Dhanani, served as the Kamadia of Palace Gate Jamatkhana during Mawlana Shah Karim His Late Highness Aga Khan IV’s visit to London in September 1979 — Elhaque was appointed to the position of the Kamadia of the London North West Jamatkhana from 2008 to 2012. He was then appointed by Mawlana Shah Karim as the Kamadia of Darkhana Jamatkhana from 2012 to 2019. The term coincided with Mawlana Shah Karim’s visit to the UK for his Diamond Jubilee in June 2018 (see photographs). My family and I have always felt a deep personal connection with Elhaque’s family. His father’s encouraging messages and prayers over the years, as well as thoughtful remembrance of my parents, have been especially inspirational. This personal bond has been a source of strength for us.
The passing of a child is one of the most difficult times for any family. We, as a community, stand united in this grief and convey our deepest condolences to his surviving father, Kamadia Nizar, Elhaque’s wife, Yasmin, and the entire Dhanani family and their loved ones. We offer our unwavering support and prayers for their strength and fortitude during this difficult period of bereavement and to face this difficult loss.
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Condolences (dilsoji) to family members may be offered at the Darkhana Jamatkhana (in the Ismaili Centre, London) on Thursday, August 14. The funeral ceremony will be held at the Northwest Jamatkhana on Saturday, August 16, with the Fateha being offered at 9:30 AM.
We pray that Elhaque’s soul may rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
Condolence messages: We invite readers to submit their condolences, memories and tributes to Kamadia Elhaque Nizar Dhanani by clicking LEAVE A COMMENT. If you encounter technical difficulties submitting your feedback, email your message to mmerchant@simerg.com, subject: Elhaque Dhanani.
Featured photo at the top of the post: Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV (d. February 4, 2025), 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, at the Diamond Jubilee Darbar in London, with (l to r) Kamadia Elhaque Nizar Dhanani, Mukhi Farouk Rajabali Walji, Mukhiani Shahenaz Farouk Walji and Kamadiani Yasmin Elhaque Dhanani of London Darkhana Jamatkhana. Photograph: The Ismaili (visit UK Diamond Jubilee Gallery).
Date posted: August 13, 2025.
Last updated: August 14, 2024.
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About Simerg and its sister websites Barakah and Simergphotos
Simerg, an independent platform, has published over 2,000 pieces on all aspects of Ismaili and Islamic history, culture and thought since its launch in 2009. Please see our Table of Contents in 2 parts — 2009-2019 and 2020-Current. Please visit Simerg’s sister websites, Barakah, which is dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan, and Simergphotos, which features photo essays on history, culture and travel. Follow the publisher/editor Malik Merchant on @Facebook, @X and @LinkedIn. Check out Malik’s brief profile and contact information HERE.
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Deepest condolences to the family. May Mowla give the family strength and ability to sustain their loss. May Mowla grant the departed souls to rest in eternal peace! Ameen!! 🙏
We pray their souls rest in eternal peace.
We pray for the family’s mushkil asan. Mawla grant them courage and strength to bear the pain at this difficult times, unity in family, wisdom, strength of Iman and fulfillment of all their good wishes. Ameen
Our deepest condolences. May Elhaque rest in eternal peace.
We are very sad to read about the passing of Elhaque Nizar Dhanani.
May Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace. Ameen.
May Mawla grant strength and courage to the family of Elhaque. Ameen.
Ashakali and Jenny Jaffer
August 17, 2025.
We pray that his soul may rest in eternal peace 🙏
Deeply grieved to learn about the passing of our dear Kamadia Saheb. He was a gentle soul and will be remembered most fondly.
At this very difficult time, our prayers are for his soul to rest in eternal peace and for the entire family to have the strength and courage to accept Allah’s will.
With kind thoughts and prayers,
Al-Noor and Tazim Moosa
Our deepest Condolences to the entire Dhanani Family. Mawla be with you at this very difficult time.
Elhaque was one in million. He had a way of making everyone feel loved and valued. I worked closely with him when he was Northwest Jamatkhana Kamadia Saheb. What a blessing. May your beautiful soul rest in eternal peace and spiritual happiness. You have left a big void in our heart.
The following is a further selection of condolence messages submitted in the social media (updated, August 15, 2025, 12:15 PM EDT)
Shariffa Bholla: May his soul rest in Eternal Peace. Ameen. A truly wonderful soul. Both he and Mukhisaheb were by our side a few years ago during a difficult time.
Aniza Meghani: A wonderful soul . May you rest it peace . Amen.
Yasmin Mawani: This is the saddest news I have heard. What can I say, he was a gem of a human being and remember so well the best ever duas he used to give when we used to live in London and he was Kamadia Saheb then. Our heartfelt condolences to Kamadiani Ma Yasmin and the entire family for this very very big loss. May his humble and great soul rest in eternal peace with the angels….Ameen
Shanaz Makhani: We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Kamadia Saheb. He was such a humble and compassionate soul, always serving with a gentle heart and sincere devotion. His presence brought comfort to so many, and he will be missed greatly by our entire jamat.
May Mawla in His infinite mercy grant his soul eternal peace, May He also bless the family with sabr ,strength, and the courage to bear this great loss.
. Ameen
Gulshan Tarmohamed: May Almighty Allah rest departed soul in eternal peace. Ameen
Julie Kassam: Rest in peace Kamadiasaheb. He will be missed by us all.
Habibah Manji: May his beautiful soul rest in eternal peace
Ameen.
Shenie Dhanji: Beautiful happy soul which will be missed
Rest in peace Haque you left us too early 
Karima Lalani: May Mowla rest his beautiful soul in Eternal peace
Yasmin Virji: Inna Lillahi wa inna elaihi Raje’oon; Verily we are from Allah and to Him we shall return.
Please accept our deepest condolences
on the sad demise of Kamadiya Alijah Elhaque Nizar Dhanani. May Moula forgive all his sins , grant the departed soul an abode in Heaven and may the soul rest in eternal peace. Aameen 
. May Moula grant strength, courage, patience and perseverance to the bereaved family to bear this irreplaceable loss. 
Gulshan Lakhani: May God bless the Soul of Rohani
Narmin Lakhani: He was a beautiful soul and a wonderful man who was loved by many. We deeply grieve his passing. Allah rest in soul in eternal peace. Ameen
Farida Janmohamed: He was a great soul. He will be missed by all. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Ameen
Munni Firoz: May Mowla bless the departed soul rest in eternal peace
ameen ameen ameen 
Noordin V. Raiyani: મૌલા મરહુમ ના રૂહ ને નુરાની દીદાર નસીબ કરી અસલ મુબારક માં વાસલ કરે, આમીન
Dilshad Noorally: May the departed soul rest in eternal peace and may the family blessed with strength and courage Ameen.
Rosemin Virji: Inna illahi wa Inna elayhi rajioun. May Allah rest his soul in eternal peace. Ameen
Abdulaziz Jivani: Prayers for His Soul to Rest in Eternal Peace AMEEN
Shumi Yasmin Bawa: May his soul rest in eternal peace and tranquillity. Ameen
Yasmin Sewani: May his soul rest in eternal peace Ameen deep condolence for family and friends.
May Allah rest his soul in eternal peace. Ameen. May He give courage to the family to bear this huge loss. Ameen.
A great loss to those who knew him. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
Mawla rest his soul in eternal peace and grant courage and strength to his family members during this difficult period. Ameen.
Nizar Ramji,
M.Sc. Food Safety Consultant NR Consultants
Our heartfelt condolences on the demise of Elhaque.
We used to go to Baitul Ilm together in Palace Gate in the 1970’s.
We pray that his Soul rests in Eternal Peace Ameen
Sincerely
Karim Sumar
Our heartfelt condolences to the family and prayers for his soul to rest in eternal peace. Amen
May his soul rest in eternal peace and strength for the family.
Their family sewa has been amazing. They have all served with
humility, dedication and amazing impact. Shukar!
Our deepest condolences to the family. We pray may his soul rest in eternal peace and may Mowla give strength to the family during this difficult time. Ameen.
So sorry to hear about the sad demise of Kamadiya Alijah Elhaque Nizar Dhanani. May Moula forgive all his sins, grant the departed soul an abode in Heaven
Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Rajioon. Ameen
The following is a selection of condolence messages submitted in the social media:
Shaida Sunderji: May his soul rest in eternal peace
Gulshan Visram: Deepest condolences to the family. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Ameen
Rishma Robert Manji: Deepest condolences to the family. Kamadia Haqee was an incredible person and service was in his heart always. Prayers and thoughts for Kamadiani Yasmin. Love and Prayers.
Ishrat Damji: Very sad to hear this. My deepest condolences and sympathy to Yasmin sister and the family. May Mowla give you all strength during this difficult time.
Sending lots of prayers,hugs and love.
May his Soul rest in Eternal Peace Ameen.
Mumtaz Uppel: May he rest in peace AMEEN
Nimira K Jivraj: May his soul rest in eternal peace Ameen
Alnoor Premji: We pray to Allah to rest his soul in eternal peace Ameen
Mumtaz Nayani: Very young age very sad we pray for his soul RIP Ameen Ameen
Nimira K Jivraj: May his soul rest in eternal peace Ameen
Yasmin Merali: Prayers offered for the soul of Kamaria Elhaque, May his soul rest in eternal peace ameen
Noorjahan Sumnari: Rest in eternal peace Ameen
Nasim Kherani: May his soul rest in eternal peace
Azmina Bandali: May His Soul Rest In Eternal Peace Ameen
Nash Aml: Rest in peace
Razia Ratansi: may his soul rest in eternal peace
Noorjahan Sumnari: Rest in eternal peace Ameen
Dolly Bandali: May the departed soul rest in eternal peace. Aameen.
Our Deepest condolences to the entire Dhanani family and the London jamat for Elhaque’s demise. Pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace. Ameen 🙏🏼