“…I was approaching the age of 12 and it was just before people became completely hopeless. I remember clearly when I saw our Mawla on TV for the very first time (it was when we had electricity for some hours). I was at my uncle’s and there were about 15 of us living at his house. I didn’t understand why suddenly all the grownups started to cry and say SHUKR MAWLO, SHUKR MAWLO….”
Pamiri Ismaili youth. Please click for “Shukr Mawlo”. Photo: Matthieu Paley. Copyright.
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Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Salgirah and the Depth of His Love for the Jamat
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 In Metaphoric Ginan “Eji Dhan Dhan Aajano” Pir Sadr al-Din Asks Mu’mins to Act Righteously and Gain Spiritual Recognition of Imam-e-Zaman
The Ginan has attained a very special status because it is primarily recited during the festivities marking the Salgirah of the Imam. The appropriateness of reciting Eji Dhan Dhan Aajano during the Salgirah will become apparent as we try to understand the ginan and its underlying spiritual teachings. |
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The Preamble Of “The Constitution of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims”
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His Highness the Aga Khan and the Ismailis  . On the occasion of His Highness the Aga Khan’s 75th birthday on December 13, 2011, Simerg published a three-part photo essay tribute to the 49th Ismaili Imam. The series has been consolidated into a captivating one piece photo essay, which can be read at Simerg’s companion photo blog, Simergphotos, by clicking on the above link. |
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ADVANCES IN SCIENCE AND MEDICINE, AND A SHIA ISLAMIC RESPONSE
Ever since researchers in 1998 discovered that stem cells extracted from embryonic tissue could regenerate to become any type of cell, there has been a deep divide on the morality of such research. When stem cells are taken from an embryo, the embryo loses its viability: it cannot become implanted into a womb or develop into a fetus. To knowingly damage an embryo in order to remove stem cells is, for some, equal to destroying human life. For others, who see great promise in what stem cells might do to cure illnesses it is immoral not to move forward with such research. What is Islam’s position on this ethical question? Read how Iran, a Shia Muslim country, has responded to this debate.
Please click Embryonic Stem Cell Research and the Rights of a Foetus: A Shia Muslim Perspective from Iran or on the image below.
Diseases and conditions where stem cell treatment is promising or emerging. Please click for article “A Shia Muslim Perspective on Stem Cell Research.” Image: Wikipedia.
The latest weekly historical illustration at Simergphotos is that of a rare copy of an English translation of the Qur’an which was acquired over two centuries ago by Thomas Jefferson, one of America’s Founding Fathers as well as its 3rd President. This was the 2-volume set on which US Muslim Congressman Keith Allison rested his hand for the oath to the office on January 4, 2007. Please click Historical Images: President Thomas Jefferson’s Copy of the Qur’an or on the following image:
Keith Ellison, the first Muslim ever elected to the US Congress, took his oath of office on January 4, 2007 by placing his hand on Thomas Jefferson’s copy of the Qur’an. Please click for “Historical Images.”
The US Library of Congress contains the papers of 23 presidents, from George Washington to Calvin Coolidge. Manuscript Division Chief James Hutson draws upon the papers of Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other primary documents to discuss the relationship of Islam to the new nation.
Please click: America’s Founding Fathers and Islam: A Brief Discussion Based on Documents at the Library of Congress
George Washington’s 1785 letter wherein he declared that he would welcome “Mohometans” to Mount Vernon if they were “good workmen.” Image credit: Library of Congress. Please click for article
The Challenger 300, the Global Express and the Global 5000 built by Bombardier are a very important part in the journeys that His Highness the Aga Khan undertakes to meet his Ismaili followers around the world and to perform work related to his role as the head of the Aga Khan Development Network. Many photo hobbyists have captured the 49th Ismaili Imam’s jets through their lenses. To view a selection, please click:
The Executive Jets of His Highness the Aga Khan
Please click on image for “The Executive Jets of His Highness the Aga Khan.” Photo: Dave Henderson. Copyright.
Khosrow and Shirin, Madjnun in the desert, the beautiful Mi’raj of the Holy Prophet as well as other works of art from the Persian and Mughal Schools of painting are now available as impressive and decorative 1000 piece puzzles designed for children of all ages.
The Ismaili founder and partner of Sindbad Puzzle, Nadirshah Mackwani, has also created a jigsaw puzzle featuring the famous Rock of Alamut, the 10th-11th century Ismaili stronghold in Iran. Read more about Nadirshah’s unique initiative by clicking on Piecing the Alamut Puzzle Together or the image below:
Please click for “Piecing the Alamut Puzzle Together”
“When I was 15 there were 21 people living in the house and my friend Hasiet and I had to do all the weekly washing for the whole family, even in winter. It took all day and I got frost bite in my feet several times. My toes would turn black. We’d go down to the river and make a fire to heat the water. We used to burn our socks, trying to warm our toes by the fire” — Hussn Bibi
Tales of Ismaili Women of Shimshal: Hussn Bibi and Her Journey to New Zealand to Study English
Please click for Ismaili Women of Shimshal
“….The university recommended the Campbell Institute. When I went to see the Campbell directors they were intrigued by the notion of this woman [Hussn], this mountain farmer from Pakistan, coming to their school which mostly enrolled Korean and Chinese youths. The fees seemed astronomical to me, but my mother’s estate provided collateral, the Campbell Institute awarded a generous scholarship to Hussn, and Lynette, my companion on the first trip to Shimshal, sent one thousand pounds….” — Pam Henson, author of Women of Shimshal
A Tribute to President Barack Obama on His Re-election: Endearing Photos from the White House
President Barack Obama looks at the Nobel Peace Prize medal for the first time at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo, Norway. December 10, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
For a summary of photo stories, please visit Simerg’s photo blog home page at www.simergphotos.com or click on the following for the most recent photo posts:
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FROM HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
“….This is my first visit to America, and as I have read much of the wonderful progress and commercial power of the nation, I look forward to an interesting trip….” — His Highness the Aga Khan III
A portrait of Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III, dated 1911, a few years after his historic USA visit. Copyright: National Portrait Gallery. Please click for article.
“….[The Aga Khan] is one of the three or four chiefs of a religion by inheritance who are and have been for centuries voluntarily recognized as such by followers in all parts of the world, separated from each other by physical and political conditions and united only in their allegiance. He is without exception the most interesting Oriental who has ever visited the United States.” — Washington Herald and New York Tribune, Sunday, January 27, 1907……Please Read More
The term Salgirah is of Persian origin. Sal means anniversary and girah means knot and hence Salgirah literally means ‘an anniversary knot added on to a string kept for the purpose’. This article approaches the subject of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s birthday in terms of the Imam’s love for his murids and the love and devotion of the murids for their Imam.
The new Ismaili Constitution was ordained, signed and sealed by His Highness the Aga Khan on December 13th, 1986, his 50th birthday. His Highness did this with the belief that the Constitution would provide a strong institutional and organizational framework for his Ismaili community to contribute meaningfully to the societies among whom they live.
