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.

A PERSONAL TRIBUTE TO A FANTASTIC AND TALENTED WRITER, AND A PURE SOUL

BY MALIK MERCHANT

My heart is sunk and deeply saddened as I announce the death of Farah Tejani in Vancouver on December 17, 2025, conveyed to me by her loving mother, Rashida Tejani, the noblest of souls I have met in my life. Farah earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia in May 1997, earning top Honours for her thesis on Short Fiction, reflecting her dedication and talent.

Farah was brought to my attention by her family friend in Montreal. I was amazed and convinced by what I read and felt that Farah’s writings deserved recognition, hoping that sharing her creative pieces would inspire readers and warm their hearts. I began introducing her work to Simerg readers by first publishing a series of poems titled Elastic Embrace. Shortly thereafter, I got to know her loving mother, Rashida. Her care and concern for her daughter were remarkable, and I had never seen anything like it before. There was nothing she wished more than to remain hopeful and pray for her daughter’s resolution of her challenges. Rashida’s dedication and struggle — and never losing hope — continued unabated until Farah left this world.

However, Farah’s creative writing, storytelling, and inspiring poetry has brought immense joy to her and our readers. She gained a large readership across Canada and around the world. Above all, Farah was thrilled when Mawlana Hazar Imam, then Prince Rahim, recognized her talent by leaving a comment on one of her poems. It made her feel genuinely appreciated and valued. I personally felt deeply humbled and blessed by Mawlana Hazar Imam’s support for Farah on Simerg. Farah passionately pursued writing and contributed the following excellent pieces for Simerg and its sister website, Barakah:

1. Ya, Hazar Imam, Please Accept My Devoted Allegiance (reposted in Barakah as Mawlana Hazar Imam: A New Era for Ismaili Community)
2. Behold, the Light of Ali
3. “In Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Eyes”
4. Dare to Dream
5. Mr. Sneaky Peeky and the Two Red-Tailed Monkeys
6. Celebrating the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre in Toronto
7. In Memory of Mrs. Merchant
8. The Fragrance of Spring
9. The Great Sacrifice
10. Remembering Jehangir Tejani
11. Elizabeth the Ladybug: A Heartwarming Tale of Friendship
12. Mystic Moon

Just a few days before her passing, I spoke with Rashida, who had earlier had a very happy and fulfilling conversation with Farah. I suggested that Farah consider writing a piece for Mawlana Hazar Imam’s first Imamat Day, on February 4, 2026, an idea she said she would pass along to her daughter. Rashida indicated Farah would be thrilled to follow up on the suggestions. Alas, this would never be realized anymore, with Farah’s death. Rashida was devastated. She knew that her daughter’s dreams and hopes had remained unfilled. For years, she had looked after Farah single-handedly and sought to uplift her. I personally witnessed this dedication throughout Farah’s journey of writing for Simerg.

With the passing of Mawlana Shah Karim and the succession of Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Rahim as the 50th Ismaili Imam, Farah submitted a meaningful and inspiring poem titled Ya, Hazar Imam, Please Accept My Devoted Allegiance, which we reposted again as Mawlana Hazar Imam was nearing his three-day visit to Lisbon from December 3. The piece was read widely.

Sadly, Farah died in very challenging circumstances, bereft of the support she deserved beyond what her mother offered, and the blessings of the Imam-of-the-Time that she had received and carried in her heart for the rest of her life. We did our best to support her writings and thank the many readers who responded with so much affection and love for Farah and her contributions.

As I think of Farah and meeting her with Rashida over breakfast at an IHOP restaurant in Vancouver, some three years ago, and presenting her with Gary Otte’s pictorial volume of Mawlana Shah Karim, Depth of Field: The Aga Khan Beyond the Lens, I saw a delightful twinkle in her eye expressing her love for books and writing, but above all, her unbounded love and faith in the Imam-of-the-Time, then Mawlana Shah Karim.

At this time of bereavement, we sincerely extend our condolences to her mum, Rashida, and share in her grief. We pray for the eternal peace of Farah’s soul. This talented and passionate writer could have continued writing for years with better external help and gratitude beyond what her mother provided, which many may not be aware of. Her creative works for Simerg will inspire readers to cherish her memory and budding writers to draw inspiration from her. In my conversations with her, I found excitement and passion in her voice, “Malik Bha” as she worked toward completing a piece. Her faith, devotion and love for Mawlana Hazar Imam were enormous. I saw that devotion in her face, heard it in her voice and felt it in my heart. To Rashida, I say: Bravo for your support for your daughter. You were a fantastic mother, like none I have seen. Your daughter has left a lasting legacy on this website. She was a pure soul and is at peace surrounded by Nur.

Date posted: December 19, 2025.

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