Simerg is an independent initiative dedicated to Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan — their Hereditary Imam — and the Ismaili Imamat, and Islam in general through literary readings, photo essays and artistic expressions
Author Archives: Malik Merchant, Editor
Founding publisher and editor of www.barakah.com, www.simerg.com and www.simergphotos.com.
Once an isolated region barely touched by the hands of time, Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor stands on the brink of great change with the building of a new road linking it with China. Study map below and click on the map or HERE to read BBC’s new photo travel piece by Simon Urwin.
The Wakhan Corridor is an area of far north-eastern Afghanistan (or Badakhshan) which forms a land link or “corridor” between Afghanistan and China. The Corridor separates Tajikistan in the north from Pakistan in the south. Along with Mazar-e Sharif (Afghanistan), Dushanbe (Tajikistan’s capital) and Ishkashim (which borders Badakhshan of both Afghanistan/Tajikistan) which are all circled in red, the map also shows the Panj River. It is a tributary of the Amu Darya. The river is 1,125 km long and forms a considerable part of the Afghanistan – Tajikistan border. Map: Adapted from University of Texas. Annotated by Simerg. Please click on map for BBC article. Caption includes material from Wikipedia.
Date posted: July 3, 2021.
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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 Simergphotos.
By (Late) Malek J. Merchant Adapted and edited by Malik and Nurin Merchant
This religious dialogue on Ya Ali Madad is adapted and edited from the original piece by Mrs. Merchant (1931-2021). It was presented by her students at their respective religious education centres and Jamatkhanas in London, England, and also appeared in the 1977 Navroz issue of UK ITREB’S prestigious Ilm magazine. An adapted version of the original piece was later published on this websiste HERE. The piece below was revised recently by her son Malik and granddaughter Nurin who both edit and publish this website, Simerg, and its sister websites Barakah and Simergphotos
Following the dialogue, we present two beautiful Ya Ali Madad songs. The first one by Ismaili children was presented on The.Ismaili website in October 2020, and the second one is a song that was popularized by a team of Ismaili artists from Tajikistan’s Pamir regions when they performed to full houses in cities across Canada in 1999/2000. The Ya Ali Madad song brought the Jamat to their feet, and continues to remain popular in the Ismaili world – Ed.
Dialogue: Ya Ali Madad…. Mawla Ali Madad
Ayaz: Hi, Naguib. How’re you?
Naguib: Ya Ali Madad Ayaz; I’m fine thank you.
Ayaz: You greeted me somewhat differently!
Naguib: Yes, Ayaz, I said Ya Ali Madad, our traditional Ismaili greeting! Just as ‘Hello’, ‘Good morning’, ‘Good afternoon’ and others are greetings in the English culture, Ya Ali Madad is a greeting in our Ismaili tradition and culture. I have been using that to greet all my friends and family members.
Ayaz: That’s interesting — I am glad you greeted me as such.
Naguib: Actually, there is also a Muslim greeting in Arabic, which goes ‘As-salaam-alaykum’. The reply to that is ‘Wa-alaykum-salaam’.
Ayaz: I guess all that has a special meaning as well?
Naguib: Yes. As-salaam-alaykum means ‘May peace be upon you!’ The reply to this is Wa-alaykum-salaam, which means ‘And may peace be upon you, too’.
Ayaz:That’s really great! Tell me, what does Ya Ali Madad mean?
Naguib: Ya Ali Madad is a phrase very rich in meaning. Firstly, Ali is one of the Names of Allah. It means ‘The Exalted’ or ‘The Most High.’
Ali, of course, is also the name of our first Imam. Thus, from an Ismaili context, Ya Ali Madad means ‘May Mawla Ali, our Hazar Imam, help you’.
I should just like to add that Mawlana Hazar Imam, like his grandfather and our 48th Imam, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, and all Hereditary Imams going back to the first Imam Hazrat Ali, are the Bearers of the Same Light or Noor of Imamat. So, when we say Ya Ali Madad we are seeking help from the Imam of the Time.
Ayaz: I certainly have to read up and become familiar with the concept of Imamat. What is the reply to Ya Ali Madad?
Nuguib: It’s Mawla Ali Madad, which means ‘May Mawla Ali, our Hazar Imam, help you, too’.
Ayaz:I think that’s a very beautiful greeting!
Naguib: It sure is, because Ya Ali Madad, unlike greetings like hi, good morning, etc. is not merely a polite and courteous way to acknowledge another Ismaili’s presence. It is a Tasbih and a prayer.
It’s a Tasbih because we remember Allah and we also remember Hazar Imam. At the same time, it is also a prayer seeking the help of Mawlana Hazar Imam. I remember instances when Hazar Imam has often asked us to call on the name of Allah, the Prophet, Hazrat Ali or even the names of the Imams at any moment during the day as a form prayer. That moment can be as little as a second.
Ayaz:It’s amazing and almost embarrassing to admit hat I’ve never used this beautiful traditional greeting before.
Naguib: But haven’t your parents ever greeted you with Ya Ali Madad?
Ayaz:No. All mum says is, ‘Bye, take care’ when I go out and ‘Hello’ when I come in. When I go to bed, it’s ‘Goodnight’ with a kiss. Come to think of it, mum never says Ya Ali Madad to her friends either. It’s always ‘Hi Jenny’ and ‘Hi Sakar’.
Naguib: It’s very sad to hear that we ignore our traditions. Don’t you think it would be nice to say Ya Ali Madad before leaving for school, then again on returning from school, and finally when going to bed? And parents could reply with Mawla Ali Madad, along with ‘Sleep well’ or ‘Take care of yourself’.
Ayaz:Yes it would, because then we know that Hazar Imam’s help and protection is always available to us. I now can relate to Mawlana Hazar Imam’s blessings during the past year when we have been living through this Covid-19 pandemic. He has conveyed to each one of us his most affectionate loving blessings for protection from difficulties, for our well being, good health, safety and security. And he has also constantly reminded us that he is always with us.
Mum and dad will be really surprised tonight when I say Ya Ali Madad instead of ‘Goodnight’.
Naguib: I bet they’ll be amazed! It is always very inspiring when I hear the exchange of Ya Ali Madad and Mawla Ali Madad greetings between members of the Jamat and especially the youth. They do so with so much affection for each other, and with immense faith in Mawlana Hazar Imam.
Also, Ayaz, you might hear people simply say Ya Ali, and miss out on the final word Madad. Unfortunately, this has become very common. Of course, it is always good to remember our Mawla, but when we are greeting it is good to greet with the full phrase Ya Ali Madad which has a specific meaning.
Ayaz: As a matter of interest, are there greetings similar to Ya Ali Madad among other traditions and cultures?
Naguib: You will be interested to know in Iran the greeting Daste Ali Beh Hamrat is often exchanged, meaning “Ali’s blessing be with you.”
Ayaz: I’m glad I met you today and you said Ya Ali Madad. I wouldn’t have learnt all this if you’d just wished me ‘Hi’. I also thank you for your observation that the greeting should be said in full as Ya Ali Madad and not simply Ya Ali.
Naguib: Well, I’m glad you see the beauty and importance of our tradition.
Ayaz: Thank you very much for being so patient and explaining all this to me.
Naguib: Not a problem at all – I’m glad I could be of help.
Ayaz:I’m glad too that I’ve learnt something about our traditions today. Well, I guess I’d better go now. Thank you Naguib, and Ya Ali Madad – ‘May our Hazar Imam help you’, is that right?
Naguib: Yes, that’s right. Mawla Ali Madad, Ayaz.
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Two Ya Ali Madad Songs to Enjoy
1. Ya Ali Madad by Ismaili Children
Ya Ali Madad song by Ismaili children.
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2. Audio: The Iconic Ya Ali Madad – Mawla Ali Madad Song by the Ismaili Ensemble from the Pamirs
The unforgettable Ismaili singer who enchanted and brought the Ismaili Jamats to their feet with his iconic song Ya Ali Madad during a visit by Ismaili artists from Gorno-Badakhshan to Canada in1999/2000. Photo: The singer performing at the 80th birthday celebration of Mawlana Hazar Imam in Moscow, Russia, in December 2016.
The following rendition of the Ya Ali Madad song is from the DVD “Expressions from the Pamirs” produced in 2000 following a highly successful tour of Ismailis artists from Tajikistan who performed in major centres across Canada in 1999/2000. The Canadian Jamat was introduced for the first time to the Ismaili culture of their brothers and sisters in Badakhshan through a 2 hour stage performance of dance, drama, music and songs, along with an informative exhibition containing cultural artefacts related to the Jamats of Central Asia. The editor of this website, Malik Merchant, acted as a guide at the exhibition that was hosted in Vancouver in the latter half of 1999.
Ya Ali Madad, Mawla Ali Madad. Credit: Expressions of the Pamirs, 2000.
Date posted: July 1, 2021.
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Mrs. Malek Merchant (1931-2021)
Alwaeza Malek J. Merchant (1931-2021), popularly known as Mrs. Merchant, rendered services to the Jamat, its institutions and the Imam-of-the Time for several decades as a missionary and religious education teacher in Africa, Pakistan, Canada and the UK. She passed away on January 21, 2021 at the age of 89. This piece has been adapted and re-written from her original dialogue on Ya Ali Madad by her son, Malik, and granddaughter Nurin. Alwaeza contributed a great piece for Simerg’s highly acclaimed series I Wish I’d Been There (downloadable as a PDF file). Her article may be independently read by clicking on Varas Ismail Gangji: The Turning Point.
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We welcome feedback from our readers. Please complete the LEAVE A REPLY form below or click Leave a comment. Your letter may be edited for length and brevity, and is subject to moderation.
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 Simergphotos.
Originally from Uganda, Jehangir and Rashida Tejani together with their two year old daughter Farah immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, in August 1970, two years before the Ugandan refugee crisis in 1972. After working in paint sales, Jehangir opened his own business, JR Imports, until his retirement in 2015. Jehangir was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing pool. He loved cooking gourmet meals and entertaining friends and family members, and was regarded as “the life of the party.” He encountered health issues in recent months and was hospitalized. Sadly, he never recovered from his illness, and passed away on May 16, 2021 at the age of 75. His funeral was held in Vancouver on May 21, 2021.
Jehangir is survived by his wife Rashida, daughter Farah, son Faizal and three grandchildren Donnie, Jayden and Charlize. We pray that his soul may rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
The following poem in Jehangir’s honour was penned by his daughter Farah, a creative writer based in Vancouver.
Dad, how could you leave us and go so soon, When there was so much left to do and say? All of us were hoping and praying, That you would recuperate and stay,
None of us could bare to see the pain you were in You, the “King of Laughter”… But there is some consolation that your Soul’s Journey will begin, And finally you will be at ease in the World Hereafter.
You gave generously and rarely said “No” Your heart was pure gold, And quite frankly there could be no match To the gut-busting jokes that you told.
Now here I sit with pain and tears of joy This double sided coin , Such is life here on this Earth We come from Him and with Him we rejoin.
I want to thank you Dad , with my most sincere heart For the life lessons that you taught me And the greatest gift was you father! Greater than anything you bought me.
Our home was open to many, And everyone you met became your friend It is just the way you were… You are my inspiration and you were my friend.
Oh how many stories you would tell, And each one fresh and new, It was not difficult to attract an audience, Every detail was 100% true
And Dad you were a jack all trades, You and Mom always provided, Please tell me WHAT COULD YOU NOT DO? Thank you for how you patiently guided.
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You and Mom had vision and you wanted to raise us here, Despite the comforts of Kampala, Uganda… You took a gamble for sure, And here me and my brother are grateful citizens of this GREAT LAND Fearless you both were, I admire your strength and conviction.
Dad, I will call on you from time to time, Because I know you will hear me, I am happy that you are not suffering… But I will never get over the loss. I love you, Papa Jan…You will never be far from my heart.
Date posted: June 28, 2021.
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We invite you to submit your condolences, memories and tributes to Jehangir Tejani. To pen your reflection please complete the feedback form below or click on Leave a comment.
Simerg invites Ismaili families to submit obituaries and tributes for deceased members of their families. For guidelines, please click Passings.
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Farah Tejani
Farah Tejani is a creative writer based in Vancouver. She is currently working on Childrens’ stories and a collection of poetry called “Elastic Embrace” to be published later this year. She has contributed numerous poems for Simerg and its sister website Barakah in recent months. Here are links to some of Farah’s poems: The Fragrance of Spring; Elastic Embrace; and The Great Sacrifice.
Simerg’s series entitled “Books by Ismaili Authors” continues with Canadian writer Nizar Sultan’s book “The Roots and the Trees”. We follow the same Q/A format as our recent presentations of books written by Nargis Fazal, Nazlin Rahemtulla, Azmina Suleman, Alnasir Rajan, Shafeen Ali, Mansoor Ladha, Zeni Shariff and Shamas Nanji. We invite Ismaili authors around the world to participate in this series, regardless of when their books were published. See details of the series HERE and submit your responses to Simerg’s editor, Malik, at Simerg@aol.com.
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Simerg: What is behind the naming of the title of the book?
Nizar Sultan: The book seeks to bring to the fore the Islamic ethics and values that Mawlana Hazar Imam enjoins us to live by in his Farman. The book portrays how one Ismaili couple living in a small town in Tanzania in 1957 seeks to bring up their son (who becomes the principal character in the book), essentially acting as roots, to support and nourish a strong tree (the son).
Simerg: Why would you want me or my family members to read the book, and what will we all learn from it?
Sultan:The Roots and the Trees is a work of fiction built around landmark events that shaped the life of South Asian communities in East Africa, with a focus on the Ismaili Muslim community. It tells the story of two Ismaili boys, Rafiq Abdulla and Anil Damji, starting with their high school years in Dodoma (then a small town in Tanzania) in 1957, and follows them and their families ultimately to Canada as they navigate the political turmoil in East Africa in the 1960s and 1970s.
The book chronicles the Ismaili exodus from Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda in the 1970s and the community’s early settlement challenges in Canada. It describes the social governance institutions and economic support programs His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan — the Ismaili community’s 49th Hereditary Imam — established, and which Rafiq and Anil got appointed to serve on, to facilitate the community’s settlement in Canada. It then goes on to relate how, guided and supported by their Imam, within five years of its arrival in Canada, the Canadian Ismaili community came to be well settled and respected, from coast to coast, for its organization, self-reliance, voluntarism, professionalism, business enterprise and philanthropy.
Simerg: What inspired you to write the book?
Sultan: First, it was my desire to document 21 years (1957-1978) of history of Canadian Ismailis of East African origin. I served as a Council member in Tanzania during the residential and commercial property nationalization and the start of Ismaili exodus from East Africa. After arriving in Canada, I served on “Immigration Committee” established to respond to the Uganda crisis. This was followed by my fifteen years of work as manager of a business consulting and loan guarantee program which Mawlana Hazar Imam established in 1975 to help Ismailis establish in business. After this, I worked for 20 years as Council for Canada CEO. My work with the Jamat and Jamati institutions has given me a perspective on the Ismaili move to and settlement in Canada that I wanted to share with my readers.
Next, I wanted to re-enforce the ethics of peace, integrity, generosity, compassion, humility and pluralism we are enjoined to live by. It is my perception (which may not be correct) that our ethics and values have eroded as we have become Occidentalised living in the West.
The third objective was to communicate to the non-Muslim audiences the foundational ethics of Islam and diversity of the Muslim people and practices, and present a counter-narrative to the monolithic image of Islam that is often portrayed in the non-Muslim parts of the world.
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Back and front covers of Nizar Sultan’s “The Roots and the Trees.” 712 pp. August 2020.Click on image to enlarge.
Simerg: How can I purchase the book and what are its available formats?
Simerg: How did you find a publisher for the book?
Sultan: The book is self-published.
Simerg: Did you hire an editor, an illustrator or did you do all the work by yourself?
Sultan: I engaged a book cover designer in Hungary to design the cover and the back page. I engaged a professional formatter to format the book. My daughter Roxana Sultan, who is a brilliant writer, edited the book.
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Praise for Nizar Sultan’s Book
The Roots and the Trees hits all the right notes in a bittersweet melody of nostalgia, childhood innocence, built-in societal bigotry, colonial and post-colonial history, strong family ties, community solidarity and, of course, some Bollywood-type drama….The journey of the two principal characters in the book – Rafiq and Anil – is a familiar one to many in the East African Ismaili diaspora. The author’s keen eye for detail evokes long-forgotten memories and repressed emotions of one’s own journey, at times almost verbatim and interspersed with laugh-out-loud moments…. Through thoughtful prose and lively dialogue, it broaches sensitive societal and cultural issues of the day in all the three countries where Rafiq and Anil lived. All in all, it is a delightful, breezy read – Dr. Feroz Kassam
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The Roots and the Trees is a fascinating narrative that provides an evocative history for many Ismailis, their children, and grandchildren. For the wider community, the book is a poignant account of one refugee and immigrant community’s arrival, challenges, and effective adaptation to life in Canada – Professor Dr. Fariyal Ross-Sheriff
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Simerg: Which was your first book and how many have you written?
Sultan:The Roots and the Trees is my first book which I wrote for the reasons I stated. I have no desire to become an “author”. I am working on a sequel to document my perception of our history in Canada from 1979 to 1992 (1992 marked the 20th anniversary of our settlement in Canada in large numbers).
Simerg: How long did it take you to write The Roots and the Trees — from start to finish and to begin marketing it?
Sultan: It took me two years — working two hours/day, five days a week to produce the first draft and another six months to have the book edited and formatted for printing, after sending out ~200 Advance Reader’s Copies for reviews, and getting it launched on Amazon.
Simerg: Tell us something more about the book and its main character.
Sultan: Although presented as a fictional narrative, the book is more of a case study of an uprooted community’s experience settling in a new land, and the possible impact of its success in settling here on Canada’s immigration policy. The protagonists and other characters in my book are composites of real people, and their stories draw upon the real experiences of members of the East African Ismaili community that came to Canada, some as dispossessed immigrants, others as refugees.
Date posted: June 25, 2021.
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Nizar Sultan
Nizar Sultan was born and raised in British-ruled Tanganyika (now the Republic of Tanzania). After completing high school and a two-year teaching program, Nizar studied in England for five years and graduated with a degree in Economics. He returned to Tanzania in 1967, where he worked for five years in tourism infrastructure and project development. He and his wife migrated to Canada in 1972.
In Canada, Nizar has worked for 45 years in paid and voluntary capacities for the institutions of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan for socio-economic development of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community in Canada, of which His Highness is the spiritual leader. This included 15 years as manager of a business consulting and financing program for Ismailis in Eastern Canada and 20 years as CEO of the Aga Khan Council for Canada.
Nizar’s early life and work experience in Tanzania followed by his work for the Ismaili institutions in Canada and beyond, have provided him with a deep and unique insight into the Ismaili community’s historical background in East Africa, the events leading up to the community’s departure from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, and its settlement in a new land. THE ROOTS AND THE TREES is Nizar’s first novel. It is a real-life study of an uprooted community’s migration and early establishment in Canada, set in a fictional narrative.
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Calling all Ismaili Authors
We encourage Ismaili writers to introduce their books in a similar format as has been done in the post above. Please also see the series launch article and submit your responses to Malik at Simerg@aol.com. All submissions will be acknowledged. If a writer has published multiple books, each book will be highlighted in a separate article, and not combined with other books into one post. All writers should include a brief profile with a portrait photo.
The Ismaili Authors’ Series so far (in chronological sequence, oldest article first):
We welcome feedback from our readers. Please complete the LEAVE A REPLY form below or click Leave a comment. Your letter may be edited for length and brevity, and is subject to moderation.
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 Simergphotos.
“I urge the faculty and students to give utmost attention to enhance the current learning and create new knowledge through research, which is the most important factor for improving the quality of life of those who live in these mountain ranges” — Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, June 19, 2021….. For more, please click Barakah or on photo below.
A note to all our readers around the world: Simerg’s sister website Barakah is dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat. Please visit this wonderful textual and visual initiative, which is informative, engaging and appealing.
Please click on photo for thematic excerpts of virtual speech delivered by Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, on June 19, 2021
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, will deliver a virtual address at the University of Central Asia’s first-ever convocation on Saturday June 19, 2021 that is expected to commence shortly (8AM Toronto Time).
Watch on UCA Website: Click HERE or on Image Below
Simerg’s sister website Barakah presents an excellent backgrounder on the University of Central Asia through a series of excerpts from speeches made by Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, dating back to the late 1990’s when the Aga Khan Lycee (High School) in Khorog, Badakhshan, was inaugurated. Indeed, that may have planted the first seeds for what is now the University of Central Asia. Read Barakah’s post by clicking HERE or on image below. Barakah was founded in 2017 and is dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat. Please also visit the Barakah Home Page or Table of Contents, both of which contain links to all the posts.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, escorted by Naryn Governor Amanbay Kayipov, arrives to the UCA Naryn Campus. Please click on image for Barakah article and photos.
Simerg’s series entitled “Books by Ismaili Authors” continues with Canadian writer Nargis Fazal’s book “Coughdrops”. We follow the same Q/A format as our recent presentations of books written by Nazlin Rahemtulla, Azmina Suleman, Alnasir Rajan, Shafeen Ali, Mansoor Ladha, Zeni Shariff and Shamas Nanji. We invite Ismaili authors around the world to participate in this series, regardless of when their books were published. See details of the series HERE and submit your responses to Simerg’s editor, Malik, at Simerg@aol.com.
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Simerg: What is behind the naming of the title of the book?
Nargis Fazal: Baby Koala is the main character of my book. He is named “Coughdrops” because he smells like the Eucalyptus trees that he lives on and feeds from.
Simerg: Why would you want me or my family members to read the book, and what will we all learn from it?
Nargis: The adventures of curious baby koala will delight you and the beautiful illustrations will fill you with utter joy. This is a great book to read with your children and grandchildren! They will ask for repeats! The learning themes include (a) Safety and Responsibility; (b) Friendships and Feelings; (c) Parental and Familial Bonding, Love, and Care; (d) Kindness and Compassion for all Creatures; and (e) Australia’s Flora and Fauna.
Kids will be pleasantly surprised to discover new tiny creatures entering the various scenes in this book. This book can be a great resource not only for the parents and families but also for Early Childhood Educators. It can be used to impart knowledge across many learning themes, especially safety for children which is paramount. Coughdrops fits in very well with a multicultural, pluralistic curriculum for young children.
Simerg: What inspired you to write the book?
Nargis: I wrote this book as a part of my assignment for my course as an Early Childhood Educator in 1988. I had printed the whole story by hand as well as illustrated it myself. I used it throughout my career with diverse groups of children. The kids and their families simply loved it. This inspired me to publish it so all children could enjoy it! As an Early Years Professional I wanted to leave a legacy not only for my own children and grandchildren but also for all the future generations to come.
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Front and back covers of Nargis Fazal’s delightful illustrated book for children, “Coughdrops.” 24 pp. Blurb, June 2015. Please click on image for enlargement.
Simerg: How can I purchase the book and what are its available formats?
Nargis:Coughdrops is available in hardcover as well as soft cover from Blurb. You can also purchase it from me by writing to me. Please visit my website www.nargisfazal.com.
Simerg: How did you find a publisher for the book?
Nargis: My son Rahim who lives in San Francisco recommended Blurb.
Simerg: Did you hire an editor, an illustrator or did you do all the work by yourself?
Nargis: My daughter Noorin who has a Masters in Teaching edited my manuscript. Through “99 Designs” (Rahim’s find) I was able to choose the illustrator. Her name is Marija Stojkovic. She lives in Lescovac, Serbia. She works as a freelance stage designer, graphic designer and illustrator.
Simerg: Which was your first book and how many have you written?
Nargis:Coughdrops is my first book. I have just finished writing the final manuscript for my second book which will be published soon.
Simerg: How long did it take you to write Coughdrops — from start to finish and to begin marketing it?
Nargis: It took me a year to write the final manuscript and work with the illustrator Marija to get the pictures done. It took a couple of more months to get the printed version ready.
Simerg: Tell us something more about the book and its main character.
Nargis: Curious baby Koala lives in his mother’s pouch. He wonders what lies beyond the patch of eucalyptus trees where he was born. So he sneaks away to explore the world around him. As he scampers further and further away from home he meets many amazing creatures for the first time in his life. He experiences various feelings and emotions. Some situations terrify him and make him fear for his wellbeing and safety. Little koala realizes he is lost! How will he return home? Will he see his mother again soon?
In this delightfully illustrated story, read about curious koala’s Big Adventures. Bring along your critical thinking skills and join Coughdrops on his journey of growth and development.
Date posted: June 12, 2021.
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Nargis Fazal
Nargis Fazal was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She spent much of her young adulthood in the United Kingdom, where she studied the sciences and worked in Medical Research. In 1981, Nargis and her husband moved to Vancouver, Canada, where their two children were born. Her passion for being actively involved in her children’s development and education inspired her to become an Early Childhood Educator. At present, Nargis is also trained as a Special Needs Educator and a Montessori Practitioner. Her many interests include yoga, reading, meditation, and travelling with her family.
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CALLING ALL ISMAILI AUTHORS
We encourage Ismaili writers to introduce their books in a similar format as has been done in the post above. Please also see the series launch article and submit your responses to Malik at Simerg@aol.com. All submissions will be acknowledged. If a writer has published multiple books, each book will be highlighted in a separate article, and not combined with other books into one post. All writers should include a brief profile with a portrait photo.
The Ismaili Authors’ Series so far (in chronological sequence, oldest article first):
We welcome feedback from our readers. Please complete the LEAVE A REPLY form below or click Leave a comment. Your letter may be edited for length and brevity, and is subject to moderation.
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 Simergphotos.
The following report is reproduced from the website of the President of Kenya. Thematic excerpts of the virtual speech made by Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, can be read at Simerg’s sister website Barakah, which is dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat(please read Mawlana Hazar Imam Thematic Excerpts).
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta unveils a plaque on June 11, 2021, on the historic occasion of the Award of the Charter to the Aga Khan University. Photo: Aga Khan University.
June 11, 2021: President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked universities to invest in research and training that support Kenya’s new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
“The Competence-Based Curriculum is a revolutionary step we took as a country to provide our learners with twenty-first-century practical skills relevant to the needs of the present world,” the President said.
President Kenyatta, who spoke on Friday in Nairobi when he awarded a charter to the Aga Khan University-Kenya (AKU), also urged universities to concentrate on producing graduates who can tackle global challenges and make the world a better place.
The Head of State reminded Kenyan universities to ensure that they offer quality education.
“You must strive to remain compliant to both the programmatic and institutional standards set by our professional regulatory bodies such as the Commission for University Education,” President Kenyatta said.
At the same time, the President directed regulatory institutions in the education sector to execute their mandate fully in order to ensure the quality of university education is not compromised.
“Regulatory standards are not mere exercises in box-ticking. They are the lifeblood of a vital process that ensures that learning delivers tangible results for both the learner as well as the nation,” the President emphasized.
On research, the President challenged universities to be at the forefront in providing solutions to emerging challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the event, President Kenyatta also inaugurated the Aga Khan University’s new Kshs 5 billion ultra-modern building. The building will be the university’s main campus in Kenya, housing its graduate school of Media and Communications, Medical College, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute for Human Development as well as the Brain and Mind Institute among other programmes.
His Highness the Aga Khan, who is the Chancellor of the Aga Khan University, addressed the occasion via video link, saying the awarding of charter to AKU is a vote of confidence in the university.
He thanked President Kenyatta’s leadership for creating an enabling environment that has allowed private universities in Kenya to flourish.
Education CS Prof George Magoha, Commission for University Education (CUE) Chairman Prof Chacha Nyaigoti Chacha, CUE Secretary Prof Mwenda Ntarangwi as well as the Aga Khan University’s Vice Chancellor Dr Firoz Rasul spoke during the occasion.
With the award of the charter, the Aga Khan University becomes Kenya’s 21st private chartered university.
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 Simergphotos.
“They were out on Sunday…. going for a family walk on a beautiful spring evening near their quiet, safe London neighbourhood. Now four of them are gone. A nine-year-old boy is in hospital trying to recover from serious injuries while the rest of his entire life has been snuffed out in front of him by a black Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by someone apparently filled with hate…. I can’t understand how a young man, now charged, who would have been raised and schooled in a time when Canadian multiculturalism is more than a concept, but a reality, would be filled with so much anger toward a family he didn’t even know.” — PLEASE READ COMPLETE COLUMN BY JANE SIMS IN THE LONDON FREE PRESS
Please click on image for article in London Free Press
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed to combat Islamophobia in the country following a “targeted attack” on a Muslim family in London, Ontario, which led to death of three adults and one teen. Trudeau expressed grief over the incident and condemned the “hateful and heinous” act. “I spoke on the phone this evening with @LdnOntMayor and @NTahir2015 about the hateful and heinous attack that took place in London, Ontario yesterday. I let them know we’ll continue to use every tool we have to combat Islamophobia — and we’ll be here for those who are grieving,” Trudeau tweeted.
In another tweet, the Prime Minister said:
I’m horrified by the news from London, Ontario. To the loved ones of those who were terrorized by yesterday’s act of hatred, we are here for you. We are also here for the child who remains in hospital – our hearts go out to you, and you will be in our thoughts as you recover.
The targeted attack on the Muslim family took place in London, Ontario on Sunday, June 6, when the family was out for an evening walk on a splendid spring day.
Simerg conveys its deepest condolences to the family, relatives and friends of the victims as well as to all Muslim and non-Muslim Canadians who are grieving from this horrible tragedy. We pray for the complete recovery of the child who is in the hospital. We pray that the souls of all the deceased victims may rest in eternal peace. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (“Surely we belong to God and to Him we return” — Holy Qur’an, 2:156).
Date posted: June 8, 2021.
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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 Simergphotos.
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