Category Archives: Ismaili Stories

Volunteers – the Unsung Heroes of the 2008 Golden Jubilee Games for Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 50th Imamat Anniversary by Mohib Ebrahim

4 August 2013

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The 2008 Golden Jubilee Games held in Kenya to commemorate His Highness the Aga Khan’s 50th Imamat anniversary ranks among the most ambitious events staged by the Ismaili community in recent years, and its success is due to the tireless efforts and sacrifices of some 1,200 volunteers from around the world. Mohib Ebrahim takes a look behind the scenes and uncovers the story of the volunteers that made the Games in Kenya such a resounding success….Click Volunteers, the Unsung Heroes

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Previous post in Simerg’s special series on Ismaili volunteers: Rajabali Mecklai, 85, Serves the Vancouver Ismailis and Community at Large with Dedication and Distinction

To contribute, see Ismaili Volunteers and their Stories of Service – A Special New Series for Simerg’s 4th Anniversary

Sultan Somjee’s First Novel, BEAD BAI, is Uplifting and Lays Bare the Khoja Clan of Early Nairobi

13 May 2013

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Book Review: BEAD BAI

“….if like me, you look at the face again after reading the  450-page tome, you would be forgiven for losing yourself in sheer  rapture of the woman who has made you fall in love with her story. Why?  Because a male writer has given birth to her in his book and clothed her with the ghosts and memories of Kenya history’s past” –  Excerpt from a review by Cyprian Fernandes

Bead Bai is drawn from domestic and community life of Sakina evolving around two objects of women’s art that are depicted in this image. Both are of considerable social and artistic values among two culturally different people living side by side as separate yet in some ways inter-reliant societies on the savannah. One object is the revered bandhani shawl of the Khoja Ismailis (left) and the other is the emankeeki, a beaded neck-to-chest ornament of the Maasai. For a review of the book please click on image.

Bead Bai is drawn from domestic and community life of Sakina evolving around two objects of women’s art that are depicted in this image. Both are of considerable social and artistic values among two culturally different people living side by side as separate yet in some ways inter-reliant societies on the savannah. One object is the revered bandhani shawl of the Khoja Ismailis (left) and the other is the emankeeki, a beaded neck-to-chest ornament of the Maasai. For a review of the book please click on image.

Faith, Piety and Service to the Imam of the Time: The True and Inspiring Story of Mukhi Megji Mulji

9 March 2013

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THE REWARD OF THE TWO MANGOES

….For a long time they had cherished a desire to carry some mangoes to Mawla at his bungalow….”But who would let us enter the bungalow?” Perturbed by these thoughts and yet ignoring them on this specific day, with hope and faith they set out early in the morning with the mangoes…. Both were clad in simple clothes…Holding  their hands against their eyes to keep sway the burning sun from their faces, they were gazing intently toward the bungalow….Read Complete Story
Tales from Pyara Imam ni Pyari Wato -The Story of Mukhi Megji Mulji

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A Story from ‘Pyara Imam ni Pyari Wato’: Historical Memories by Sairab Abuturabi and Jaferali Bhalwani

1 September 2012

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Loving Tales of our Beloved Imams: (I) Farazdaq’s Praise and Support of Imam Zainul Abideen (a.s.)

“…This tale belongs to ages past. It goes back to the era of Hazrat Imam Zainul Abideen (a.s.), our third Imam, from whose veins was to ensue the Divine Line of the Imams. He was the Imam who, on the battlefield of Karbala, received the nass of Imamat from his father, Hazrat Imam Hussain (a.s.) with the blessing: “Through you the line of Imamat will continue till the Day of Judgment…”

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