Category Archives: Literary Readings from Ismaili History

Nanji Family Foundation makes donation to Aga Khan Museum

Passings: Ismaili Muslim philanthropist, Pyarali Gulamali Nanji, Member of the Order of Canada, passes away at 95; he gave back richly to the country that welcomed him as a refugee in 1972

6 September 2025

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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.

Pyarali Nanji, Member of the Order of Canada
Pyarali Nanji, Member of the Order of Canada (d. August 20, 2025, 95 years old). Photograph via Markhan Stuffville Hospital Instagram.

By KAMRUDIN RASHID
(with Malik Merchant contributing to the tribute)

Beloved husband of Gulshan for 74 years; cherished father of Azim, Tazmin, Narmin (Nimi), and Hanif (Chiko); and proud grandfather and great-grandfather, Pyarali Gulamali Nanji (Member of the Order of Canada, C.M.), whose life was defined by the inspiring values of hard work, kindness, and generosity, died on August 20, 2025, at the age of 95, just one month shy of his 96th birthday.

Mr. Nanji’s funeral was attended by a vast crowd on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Scarborough, Ontario. The diverse group of attendees, including representatives and leaders from organizations and businesses, past and current leaders from the Ismaili Muslim Community, and family members, all came together to pay their respects. This diversity underscored the wide range of people he influenced and the respect he garnered.

Mr. Nanji, along with his young family, was among the thousands of South Asian refugees who, under the rule of Uganda’s dictator, Idi Amin, were stripped of their citizenship and assets and declared stateless. They found sanctuary in Montréal, Canada, thanks to mercy flights organized by the Canadian government. The Nanji family, who stayed in temporary lodgings at the downtown YMCA, were deeply grateful for the kindness they were shown in the face of catastrophe. Their gratitude towards Canada was profound, and they pledged to pay that kindness forward when they had the means to do so. Relocating to Toronto, Mr. Nanji started a hugely successful packaging firm. The family, committed to giving back, decided it was time to fulfill their promise.

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Pyarali Nanji, Member of the Order of Canada

“My father was so impressed by the way we were treated, the way our host country took us in during our time of need. It was always his goal to be able to give back.” — Nimi Nanji-Simard, quoted in Global Heroes.

“He was fearless, a great man, impatient to make the world better.” — Nimi Nanji-Simard, quoted in Toronto Star

“In my life, I have learned something; that if God gives you the opportunity, try to share it. First of all, you have to make sure that you are taking care of your family, your community, and then the whole country. So, I thought we have to pay back to the country and the world… and for more than 20 years, we have been doing this.” — Pyarali Nanji, quoted in a UNHCR press release

“It is beautiful what you said about giving back, and even more so, giving opportunity… You can be assured that we will spend it well, this donation. We will spend it to give people opportunities. And maybe in life there is a chain, that people suffer and go through exile and deprivation, and then if they have opportunities, they can give back. And the cycle continues if everybody does what you did.” — Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, quoted in a UNHCR press release

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Nanji Family Foundation
Plaques honouring Pyarali Nanji for his enormous contribution to healthcare in Canada. Photographs: Kamrudin Rashid.

Today, we are all witnesses to the profound impact of Nanji’s philanthropy, a legacy that resonates deeply with the thousands of residents of Toronto and the province of Ontario. His name, proudly displayed on hospital buildings and plaques, serves as a poignant reminder of his generous gifts to our community. 

The Nanji Ambulatory Center, Nanji Kidney Care Center, Nanji Acute Kidney Care Center, Nanji Neck and Head Surgery Center, and the Nanji Emergency Response Center at Sunnybrook Hospital, and the Nanji Ambulatory Care Center, Nanji Orthopedic Center, Nanji Diagnostic Center, and Nanji Academic Center at North York General Hospital, are just a few of the many tangible manifestations of his extraordinary contributions. Like my family and I, thousands of Canadians have directly benefited from Nanji’s millions of dollars to Canadian hospitals in and around the Toronto area, a testament to his unwavering commitment to our well-being. His legacy, a beacon of hope and continuity, will continue to inspire future generations.

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Pyarali and Gulshan Nanji posing with a man in formal attire at the opening of the Orthopaedic Plastics Centre, with a sign displaying their names in the background.
On Dec. 2, 2010, North York General Hospital officially reopened its renovated Medical Imaging Centre, largely funded by Pyarali Nanji, right, and his wife, Gulshan. The couple is pictured here with Justin Trudeau, whose father, Pierre, was Prime Minister when thousands of Ugandans were offered sanctuary in Canada in 1972. Photograph: CBC via Nimi Nanji-Simard.

The multimillion-dollar contribution to Seneca College’s school of nursing, the most significant gift in Seneca’s history, is a testament to the donor’s unwavering commitment to education and healthcare. Seneca renamed the school as the Seneca Nanji Foundation School of Nursing. This name reflects the exceptional support this gift will provide to students and the significant impact it will have on health care for all Canadians.

One of Mr. Nanji’s most touching and profound contributions was a significant gift to support eye care initiatives at the University of Toronto’s Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences in 2017. The generous donation established a five-year term Chair for the Department, which was held by Dr. Sherif El-Defrawy, an eye surgeon, researcher, and award-winning teacher. A substantial portion of the funds was dedicated to capacity-building global health missions. These missions, led by El-Defrawy and other faculty members, have made a significant impact in Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Haiti, among other low- and middle-income countries, bringing hope and progress that inspire us all.

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Pyarali Nanji and family with Dr. Sherif El-Defrawy.
Gulshan and Pyarali Nanji (front) and family with Dr. Sherif El-Defrawy. Photograph: Matthew Volpe / University of Toronto magazine.

“We spend our days performing cataract surgery and corneal transplantation surgery, restoring vision and sometimes allowing people to see for the first time in their lives,” El-Defrawy explained. The training sessions, designed to provide a platform for local surgeons, have been instrumental in allowing them to observe and then perform operations under supervision, playing a crucial and valued role in the process.

During the worldwide COVID-19 crisis, the Nanji Family Foundation donated $1.6 million to be split equally among 16 Canadian hospitals to help combat COVID-19 through research and staff support.

In April 2022, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the South Asian exile from Uganda, the Nanji Family Foundation granted $1 million in funds to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, for tertiary education scholarships in support of its Aiming Higher campaign. The contribution helped provide sorely needed financial support to refugees pursuing higher education by funding scholarships for health-related university studies in their countries of asylum.

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Pyarali Nanji of the Nanji Family Foundation and Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees sign the grant agreement in support of Aiming Higher.
Pyarali Nanji of the Nanji Family Foundation and Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees sign the grant agreement in support of Aiming Higher, April 2022. Photograph: © UNHCR / Valerie Agawin.

In mourning Mr. Nanji’s death, the Oakville Valley’s Health Markham Stouffville Hospital called Mr. Pyarali G. Nanji, a visionary philanthropist, transformational leader, and cherished friend. Writing on Instagram, the Hospital said that, through the Nanji Family Foundation, “Mr. Nanji and his family have been among our hospital’s most generous supporters for more than three decades. Their extraordinary generosity has strengthened the care we provide for every patient who walks through our doors, and our Gulshan & Pyarali G. Nanji Mental Health Services remain a lasting reflection of his belief that ‘the greatest wealth is health’. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Nanji family. His kindness, vision, and dedication will live on through the countless patients and families whose lives he helped transform. At Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation and Oak Valley Health, we are deeply grateful to have been part of his remarkable legacy — one that will continue to inspire and bring hope for generations to come.”

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Prince Amyn Aga Khan and Pyarali Nanji
Pyarali Gulamali  Nanji (Member of the Order of Canada, or C.M.) pictured with Prince Amyn Aga Khan as the Ugandan born Canadian philanthropist makes a transformative multi-million-dollar donation to the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.

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Nanji Plaque on a wall at the Aga Khan Museum
Plaque on a wall at the Aga Khan Museum acknowledging the generous support of the Nanji Family Foundation. Photograph: Aga Khan Museum.

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Visitors to the iconic Aga Khan Museum in Toronto will note that its beautiful auditorium has been named after Gulshan and Pyaraly G. Nanji Family Foundation following their transformative multi-million-dollar donation to the Museum. This generous gift, with its global reach, will impact millions of people, deepening their understanding of Muslim arts and cultures and their connection with the world.

In recognition of extraordinary contributions, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada. The citation in his honour stated:

“Pyarali Nanji is a prominent philanthropist in Canada, devoted to giving back to the country that welcomed him. His family foundation has made transformational charitable contributions to numerous local, national and international hospitals, institutions and organizations, including Sunnybrook Hospital, the Aga Khan Museum and the Seneca Nanji School of Nursing. (Please see The Governor General of Canada: Mr. Pyarali Gulamani Nanji).

On a personal level, Mr. Nanji’s support has been instrumental in my initiative to help international students access higher education in Canada. Mr. Nanji’s contributions also significantly boosted efforts to raise funds for the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKF, C) through its annual World Partnership Walk. The Nanji family’s role in broadening Canadians’ understanding of international development is truly significant, as noted in AKF’s tribute to Mr. Nanji. The family’s efforts have inspired millions to walk in solidarity against global poverty and played a transformational role in improving the quality of life globally.

I cannot end this tribute without mentioning Munira Premji, a personal friend, who shared her own touching and heartfelt tribute to Pyarali Nanji in the following words:

“Now and then, a life reminds us what it means to live with purpose, humility, and generosity — Pyarali Nanji’s was such a life. I was deeply saddened to learn of his passing, a man whose generosity and faith touched my life in the most personal ways. He was an extraordinary gentleman — a man of purpose and vision. A philanthropist who gave generously to causes that mattered to him and his family in the areas of education, healthcare, arts and culture, and social welfare. His giving had an immense and personal impact on me. In the past 10 years, as I battled three advanced cancers, I found myself repeatedly at the doors of hospitals his philanthropy had touched:

  • In 2015, I was treated at the Breast Centre Clinic at North York General Hospital;
  • I received radiation at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; and
  • when I broke my ankle, it was the Nanji Orthopedic Centre that looked after me.

“And I am only one person. His contributions supported millions of people during their most vulnerable times. But what I will remember most about Pyarali Nanji is his character. Two words stay with me: his smile and his humility. He knew of my health challenges, and each time I saw him in Jamatkhana, he would greet me with a warm smile, a simple hand gesture asking how I was doing, and then raise his hands high. I always understood that to mean: trust in God, have faith. His faith informed how he lived, and I took much inspiration from him.

“Pyarali Nanji — as you journey onward, I imagine the doors of heaven opening wide — and God welcoming you home with the same smile you shared so freely here on earth. Your promise became a legacy, your legacy became hope, and your hope will continue to serve generations long after your passing.”

We express our deep-felt gratitude to Mr. Nanji, a man who has touched each of our lives with his contributions to humanity. His legacy of philanthropy and kindness, a beacon of hope, will continue to inspire and guide us. We pray that his departed soul rest in eternal peace. Ameen. We also pray that his family derive courage and fortitude in the face of their significant loss, and that they may also be in a position to emulate the philanthropic legacy he left behind. He will be remembered with deep love and respect by all whose lives he touched.

Date posted: September 6, 2025.

Condolence messages: We invite readers to submit their condolences, memories and tributes to Pyarali Nanji, Member of the Order of Canada, by clicking LEAVE A COMMENT. If you encounter technical difficulties submitting your feedback, email your message to mmerchant@simerg.com, subject: Pyarali Nanji.

Featured picture at the top of this post. Mr. Pyarali Nanji and members of his family, along with Prince Amyn Aga Khan, leaders of the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Council for Canada, as the Canadian philanthropist makes a transformative, multi-million-dollar donation to the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.

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Kamrudin Rashid
Kamrudin Rashid

About the writer: Born in Zanzibar, Kamrudin Rashid lived in both Zanzibar and Pemba from 1946 until after the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution that saw the island merge with mainland Tanganyika into a unified country called Tanzania. He then settled in Dar es Salaam before making Canada his home in early 1975. Kamru was in Pemba during Mawlana Shah Karim’s historic visit on November 18th, 1957. Kamru has served the Ismaili community in honorary and professional capacities for over six decades, and continues to serve and contribute to Ismaili institutions today.

The following articles were referenced for this tribute to Pyarali Nanji:

Ismaili Recreation Society History

Ismaili Authors Series: Chhotubhai Khanderia’s Gujarati work offers an insight into the Recreation Club, the forerunner of the Ismailia Association and today’s Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board

20 August 2025

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By MALIK MERCHANT

After having featured twenty-nine English books authored by Ismailis since the inception of our special series Books by Ismaili Authors in 2021, we present for the first time a Gujarati book that provides insight into an Ismaili Institution of the early 20th century, the Recreation Club. The author, Chhotubhai Khanderia, lovingly known as CNK, a native Gujarati speaker, has also made it available as a downloadable PDF file, ensuring easy access for our readers. We are pleased to feature his work in the series.

We call Ismaili authors worldwide to highlight their books in our continuing series by submitting their responses to our standard set of questions — please see details HERE. For any queries, please email Malik at mmerchant@simerg.com.

Interview with Chhotubhai Khanderia

Recreation Club History

Simerg: What constitutes your book Recreation Club Institute: History and Illustrated Glimpses of Service Holders? Why would you want me to read it, and what will we learn from it?

Chhotubhai Khanderia: My book “Recreation Club Institute: History and Illustrated Glimpses of Service Holders” is a significant contribution to the history of the Ismaili community. It chronicles its early days, from the Recreation Club to the Ismailia Association in the 1950s, which is now known as the Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board (ITREB).

The Recreation Club had a glorious history that our beloved 48th Imam, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, nurtured through instruction and guidance. The book also includes glimpses of members of the Jamat who served in the institution in the early years from 1901 to 1925, and made unparalleled contributions. As many as 45 missionaries who were recorded in the pages of history during the period of the Imam have presented their illustrious service. After that, during the 68 years of the Imamat of Mawlana Shah Karim, the institution, which had been renamed as the Ismailia Association before his Imamat, made unparalleled progress that we can all be proud of. And after the promulgation of the 1986 Constitution, the institution was renamed as the Ismaili Tarqiah and Religious Education Board. Many new institutions were created, strengthening the Ismaili institutional structure and making it uniform around the world.

One of the aims of this book is to provide insights into the vast work done by missionaries. The larger aim is for the Ismaili community to become familiar with the history of the institution and to gain a deeper understanding of the services of many who served the Society.

Simerg: What is behind the name and title of the book?

CNK: The book’s title acts as a window into the illustrious history of the Institute and a bridge, connecting the Jamat to the lives of the organization’s early foundation service members. These members, such as Waris Ismail Mohammad Jafar, Huzur Wazir Ali Muhammad Rehamtullah Macklay, Mukhi Lalji Devraj, Virji Premji Parapiya, Master Hashim Bogha, Manji GulamHussain Padamshi,  and Alijah Wali Muhammad Nanji Hudda, are brought to life through the book’s pages. Moreover, the book is a treasure trove for those interested in the organization’s history, as it acquaints readers with the brief biographies of 210 Ismaili missionaries, who are known today as Alwaez.

Ismaili Recreation Club
Cover page of “Recreation Club Institute: History and Illustrated Glimpses of Service Holders” by Chhotubhai Khanderia, self-published, July 2025, 222 pages. Please click on the image to download the PDF version of the book.

Simerg: How can I purchase this book?

CNK: The hard copy of the book is available upon request by writing to me at cnkhanderia@gmail.com. However, I have made an electronic copy available as a PDF file, which can be downloaded HERE (or by clicking on the image above). The book is entirely self-funded and self-published by me.

Simerg: Did you hire an editor or designer, or did you do all the work yourself?

CNK: I hired a graphic designer to work on the layout and the formatting of the book.

Simerg: What inspired you to do this important work?

CNK: The practice of daw’a in the Ismaili community was pioneered centuries ago by the Ismaili Dais, Pirs and Sayyids. In later centuries, the Ismaili missionaries took on the responsibility of imparting religious and moral education to the Jamat in a unique way, under the careful guidance of the Imam-of-the-Time. Their service, which has left an indelible mark on the Ismaili community, is a significant part of our history, recorded in various books and on websites. The material that I came across encouraged me to collect, consolidate and include information about our unsung missionaries.

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Aga Khan III casket with Ismaili missionaries
March 1936: This photo was taken in India on the occasion of the presentation of a casket by a group of Ismaili missionaries to His Late Highness Aga Khan III to mark the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. The casket, a symbol of respect and honour, was created and donated by ‘Senior’ Missionary Alijah Moloobhai Allarakhia Jangbarwalla. Unless otherwise noted, we may assume that all the persons in the photograph are missionaries. STANDING BACK ROW Left to right: Noorali Bandali, Gulamhusein Juma, Sayyed Mohamed Shah, Jaffer Jivan, Alidina Mamu, Ebrahim J. Varteji, Tajjar Mukhi Mohamed, Damji Velji, Abdulla Esmail and Badrudin Nurmohamed. SEATED ON CHAIRS Left to right: Meghji Maherali, Husseini Pirmohamed, Alijah Moloo Allarakhia (Donor of Casket), Chief Secretary Gulamhusein Virjee, President Alimohamed R Maklai, HIS LATE HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN III, President Alijah Esmail Mohamed Jaffer, Finance Secretary Tarmohamed Ravji, Alijah Sabza Ali Ramzanali, Jamal Virji and Hamir Lakha. SEATED ON CARPET Left to right: Kassamali L Wadiwalla, Amirali Khudabaksh, Hajimohamed Fazalbhai, Mahmed Muradali, Madatali Rahemtullah Rajan and Juma Jiwa. Photo: Late Ameer Janmohamed Collection, London, UK.

Simerg: How long did it take you to complete your monograph?

CNK: The idea to write the book came in 2021. While reading an article on Simerg, I came across a picture of Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah with the missionaries taken in 1936. In that picture, the Imam was presented with a casket in 1936 to mark his Golden Jubilee. When I curiously started searching for the history of those missionaries, I found the history of about 40 missionaries online, and I consolidated it. Then it expanded to include more missionaries who were in different regions worldwide, creating a global narrative that spans India, Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, the USA, Canada, the UK, and the UAE. As the famous saying goes: ‘मैं अकेला ही चला था जानिब-ए-मंज़िल मगर, लोग साथ आते गए और कारवाँ बनता गया’ (which roughly translates as ‘I started alone towards my destination, but people kept joining me and a caravan started forming’). This journey of discovery and collaboration, which is described in the book in more detail, transformed a mere idea into a comprehensive account of missionary history. After I had gathered all the information, I passionately began to develop the book in April 2025 and completed it in three months.

Simerg: Tell us something more about your book

CNK: The cover page was specially chosen, with our beloved 48th Imam as the primary focus. He laid the foundation of the Recreation Club. The cover page also includes portraits of some prominent leaders of the Club.

This is the first edition of the book, and your feedback could shape its future. If you find errors in the factual information, please let me know, and I will incorporate the corrections in the next edition. This will ensure the accuracy of the book. Some missionary biographies are brief — one-liners in some instances. I am particularly interested in including more details about their contributions to the Jamat. I would be deeply grateful if the surviving missionaries or members of their families could send me brief profiles for inclusion in the revised edition. Finally, I wish to say that while readers may use Google to translate the PDF Gujarati book into English, I intend to make the book available in English.

Date posted: August 20, 2025.

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Chhotubhai Khanderia

About the author: Mr. Chhotubhai Khanderia, fondly known as CNK, was born in Porbandar, Gujarat. He pursued a Diploma in Civil Engineering and began his government service in 1981, supervising the repair and maintenance of government buildings, roads, bridges, and new constructions. In the Ismaili community, he has held numerous voluntary positions since 1977, which have left a lasting impact: he has served as a secondary level religious instructor, a local board member in ITREB, a regional member in the Youth and Sports Board, a secretary in the Ismaili Council, a regional chair in the Southern Saurashtra Social Welfare Board and ITREB, and as Mukhi of Majlises (special gatherings). His services were recognized with the title of Alijah by Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV. Chhotubhai currently resides in Secunderabad, India, as a retired serviceman. He can be reached at cnkhanderia@gmail.com.

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Links to the Ismaili Authors’ Series (in chronological sequence, oldest article first)

  1. “Justice Bertha Wilson Pushes the Boundaries of Humanity” by Shamas Nanji (featured on February 10, 2021, series start date)
  2. “Little One, You Are The Universe” by Zeni Shariff (February 25, 2021)
  3. “Memoirs of a Muhindi” by Mansoor Ladha (March 6, 2021, and see also 15 and 21 by the same author)
  4. “To Be One With God: Seven Journeys to the Meaning of Life” by Shafeen Ali (March 25, 2021)
  5. “Invisible Birthmarks” by Alnasir Rajan (April 13, 2021)
  6. “IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE – Portrait of a ‘Cowboy’ Judge” by Azmina Suleman (April 28, 2021)
  7. “RSVP Rice and Stew Very Plenty” by Nazlin Rahemtulla (May 28, 2021)
  8. “Coughdrops” by Nargis Fazal (June 12, 2021)
  9. “The Roots and the Trees” by Nizar Sultan (June 25, 2021)
  10. “Faith and Ethics: The Vision of the Ismaili Imamat” by M. Ali Lakhani (July 4, 2021)
  11. “Nairobi Days by Shelina_Shariff Zia (July 21, 2021)
  12. “Shine Brighter” by Shairoz Lakhani (December 8, 2021)
  13. “This is My Life” by Naznin Rahemtulla Hébert (February 26, 2022)
  14. “Humanizing Medicine – Making Health Tangible” by Dr. Azim Jiwani (March 9, 2022)
  15. “A Portrait in Pluralism: Aga Khan’s Shia Ismaili Muslims” by Mansoor Ladha (June 8, 2022, and see also 3 and 21 by the same author)
  16. “Malaria Memoirs: My Life Journey as a Public Health Doctor in Tanzania” by Dr Zul Premji (June 30, 2022)
  17. “Monkey Tales and Other Short Stories” by Mahmoud Hirji (September 10, 2022)
  18. “Bloom! A Story of Diversity and Understanding” by Shamim Murji (October 27, 2022)
  19. “Cooking with Mom” by Rozina Ramji (November 7, 2022)
  20. “SPARK: Journey from Success to Significance” by Azim Jamal (July 17, 2023)
  21. “Off the Cuff” by Mansoor Ladha (August 3, 2023, and see also 3 and 15 by the same author)
  22. “Mehndi Boy” by Zain Bandali (November 18, 2023)
  23. “All the Russ Without the Fuss” by Reeshma Haji (March 2, 2024)
  24. “al-Risalah al-Bahirah (The Epistle on the Radiance)” by Abu Ya’qub al-Sijistani, translated by Boustan Hirji (April 3, 2024)
  25. “Namirembe Road” by Salim Rahemtulla (August 3, 2024)
  26. “Swim or Climb: Max’s Swimming Dilemma” by Maya Shariff (October 4, 2024)
  27. “Aga Khan: Bridge Between East & West” by Mansoor Ladha (November 14, 2024)
  28. “Passage to East Africa” by Shenaz Shamji (April 3, 2025)
  29. “No Man’s Land” by Amin Gulgee (April 22, 2025)
  30. “Recreation Club Institute: History and Illustrated Glimpses of Service Holders” by Chhotubhai Khanderia (August 20, 2025)

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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. Simerg’s editor Malik Merchant may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com. You can also stay updated by following Malik on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

Ismaili volunteers killed in mud slide

Passings: Several Ismaili volunteers lose their lives in a massive mudslide in Gilgit-Baltistan; Compatriots set up a GoFundMe page to assist the families of the deceased volunteers

17 August 2025

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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.

By MALIK MERCHANT

My attention to the news of the tragic death of several Ismaili youth volunteers was first drawn by a UK-based friend who sent me death announcements posted on Mustak Hasham’s website, Ismaili Death & Funeral Announcements. Mustak, a dedicated individual, began this service years ago through his Facebook page, which was featured in Simerg HERE. He has since established a dedicated website which posts death, mafi (forgiveness), samar and zyarat (special prayers for the deceased) announcements that he is made aware of from around the world.

Seeking to learn more about the tragedy, I came across an ABC News report from the Associated Press (AP) that led me to the AP news website. The report includes a photograph (see below) of the funeral procession, where Ismaili volunteers in their uniforms are seen carrying the caskets of the deceased through a vast crowd, united in grief, with Ismaili volunteers lining the funeral route.

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Mud slide tragedy northern pakistan ismaili volunteers
A vast crowd of mourners observes funeral prayers of volunteers killed in a massive mudslide when they were repairing a drainage channel damaged by flash floods in Gilgit in Northern Pakistan, Monday, August 11, 2025. Volunteers line up the route as their fellow Ismaili volunteers carry the caskets of the deceased volunteers. Photograph: AP Photo / Abdul Rehman. Please click AP: Massive mudslide kills 7 volunteers repairing flood damage in northern Pakistan, or on the photo for the report of the tragedy.

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WATCH DAWN NEWS REPORT VIDEO (in Urdu)

A further inquiry into the tragedy and details of individuals who died led me to a Reddit post by Khalid Ansari, a graduate of the Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities (GPISH 24) at the Institute of the Ismaili Studies, London. Originally a resident of Danyore and of Hunzai descent, he currently lives in London. Khalid, along with a group of friends, has united in the face of this tragedy to create a GoFundMe page, Support Families of Ismaili Volunteers Who Lost Their Lives. I am posting their full announcement — with minor reformatting for clarity — which reads as follows:

ANNOUNCEMENT BY KHALID ANSARI AND FRIENDS

Ismaili volunteers killed in mudslide in Northern Pakistan. From l to r
Photos of seven of eight Ismaili volunteers who were killed in a mudslide in Northern Pakistan, left to right: Azur Khan (father to 5 daughters); Afaq Alam (student); Azhar-ud-din (married two months ago); Adam Ali (student); Naik Alam (father to 2 children); Dildar Hussain (father to 4 children); and Piyar Ali (married, no children). Missing in the collage Abdul Karim (married with 3 children). Photograph: via Ismaili Death & Funeral Announcements. Click on photo for enlargement..

On August 11 2025, tragedy struck in Danyore, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Eight dedicated Ismaili volunteers were working selflessly to restore a vital water channel for their community when disaster claimed their lives.

We remember and honor:

  1. Adam Ali — Student, full of potential and dreams for the future;
  2. Afaq Alam — Student, passionate about serving his community;
  3. Azur Khan — Father to 5 daughters, the sole provider for his family;
  4. Naik Alam — Father to 2 children, working tirelessly to support them;
  5. Azhar-ud-din — Newly married just two months ago, with a life ahead of him;
  6. Dildar Hussain — Father to 4 children, devoted to both family and service;
  7. Piyar Ali — Married, with no children, always ready to volunteer when needed; and
  8. Abdul Karim — Married, with three children; he is missing in the photo above.

They were not just volunteers; they were fathers, sons, brothers, the sole breadwinners of their families. In serving others, they made the ultimate sacrifice. Today, their loved ones face unimaginable grief and financial hardship. By coming together, we can ensure these families are not left alone in their struggle.

Your donations will go towards:

  • Immediate financial support for the affected families
  • Covering essential living costs such as food, shelter, and utilities
  • Supporting children’s education and long-term needs
  • Please note that the funds will be distributed to the families based on their specific needs and urgencies.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will be a lifeline. Your generosity will honour their service, preserve their dignity, and provide hope for the future. Please donate and share this campaign so that their sacrifice is never forgotten and their families are cared for in their time of need.

I am Khalid Ansari, a graduate of the Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities (GPISH 24) at the Institute of the Ismaili Studies, London. I am a resident of Danyore by origin, of Hunzai descent, and currently living in London. My social media accounts are linked to my profile. This fundraiser is initiated by a close group of friends, mainly Aga Khan Higher Secondary School Gilgit graduates living abroad, to support the families of the deceased.

For those donors who want to donate from within Pakistan you can do so on the account below:

Bank: Habib Bank Limited;
Acc name: BAALAJ
PK34HABB0008967901262103

If you need additional context or clarification, you can reach out to me via WhatsApp at +44 7751 559195. You can also reach out to the co-organizer, Adnan Karim at +44 7735 110702, Hassan Ali Shah at +44 7435 930559, Nadir Abbas at +44 7736 662233 and Mir Balaj at +44 7450 874130.

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As we express our deep shock and sadness at this tragedy, we reflect on the quote of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah at the top of this post about the meaning of life — “a great and noble calling.” We pay our heartfelt respect and tribute to the eight individuals who, in the service of their community, demonstrated the highest form of nobility. We pray for the eternal peace and rest of their souls and that their families and friends find the courage and fortitude to face the loss of their beloved ones.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Ameen.

Submit your tributes and condolence messages

We invite readers to submit their condolences, memories and tributes to the eight Ismaili volunteers who met a tragic death repairing a drainage channel damaged by flash floods in Gilgit in Northern Pakistan. Please click LEAVE A COMMENT. If you encounter technical difficulties submitting your feedback, email your message to mmerchant@simerg.com, subject: Ismaili volunteers.

Date posted: August 17, 2025.

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Didar or a glimpse of the Imam-of-the-Time: An epic spiritual moment in the life of an Ismaili Muslim

16 August 2025

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Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT

The 50th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan — respectfully addressed as Mawlana Hazar Imam (our Lord, the present Imam) by the Ismailis — made history as he, in his capacity as the new Imam of the worldwide community, met his followers for the first time during his historic visit to France from July 10-13, 2025. The Ismailis refer to this encounter or sight of the Imam as Didar. These are rare and epic moments in the life of every Ismaili, and the visit to France and his visits to Ismailis worldwide in the coming year will be remembered as a significant milestone in Ismaili history.

PLEASE CLICK: Didar of the Imam-of-the-Time: Life’s ultimate purpose

Story continues below

The Didar of the Imam of the Time
Please click on photo for a special post on the significance of Didar.

As Mawlana Shah Rahim Hazar Imam embarks on visits to Kenya (August 25-27) and Uganda (September 10-12), our sister website, Barakah, presents a special post on the meaning and significance of Didar, including a historical excerpt from the 32nd Ismaili Imam Mustansir bi’llah. Please click: Didar of the Imam-of-the-Time: Life’s ultimate purpose by the 32nd Ismaili Imam, Mawlana Mustansir bi’llah.

Date posted: August 16, 2025.

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The Ismaili Global Encounters Festival in Dubai

The Ismaili Community’s Unique Global Encounters Festival: Links to Sporting Matches, Scores and Medal Counts, and Broader Programs

23 July 2025

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Global Encounters is on. Have you followed the sporting events? Here is Simerg’s post on getting to the trailhead. Then it becomes easy to get excited and see how your country’s athletes are participating in Global Encounters, happening now in Dubai.

  • To get a summary of all 17 sporting events taking place in Dubai, click on Sports Matches.
  • A Jubilee Games screen will be presented, with links to Medal Count and a Sports Blog (with a load more feature)
  • Of the 17 sports, click on the sport of interest to you displayed on the screen.
  • You will be presented with hyperlinks (for desktops, etc.) or a drop-down (for mobile) for various sporting disciplines (19+ singles, men’s singles, etc.). Click on what is of interest to you.
  • For scores for individual or group sports, click on ‘Schedule’ (I would prefer it to be precise and say ‘Scores and Schedule’).
  • The hyperlink ‘Standings’ provides a summary of performance for individual(s) or groups.

Aside from sports, Global Encounters includes:

Ismaili.TV has hosted live streaming of key moments from the festival, and it will be exciting to follow the finals of group sports matches. I enjoyed seeing a series of inspiring and creative short films presented at the festival by talented Ismaili filmmakers from around the world.

Finally, Ismaili Update videos on the YouTube channel provide very brief, sketchy highlights of the day’s events. Click on the following:

The Ismaili Update: July 27, 2025

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The Ismaili Update: July 26, 2025

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The Ismaili Update: July 25, 2025

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The Ismaili Update: July 24, 2025

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The Ismaili Update: July 22, 2025

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The Ismaili Update: July 21, 2025

Please also visit our sister website, Barakah, for coverage of the opening day’s events, including speeches made by Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, and his younger brother, Prince Aly Muhammad.

Date posted: July 23, 2025.
Last updated: July 28, 2025.

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Hazar Imam Aga Khan in Fracce July 2025

Stories, photographs and videos: The Aga Khan’s historic visit to France

15 July 2025

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Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT

Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, concluded his official visit to France by gracing the France jurisdiction Jamat with a second Didar on July 13, 2025, meeting the youth of the Ismaili community and attending a special luncheon hosted by Ismaili Institutional leaders. He arrived in Paris on July 10, 2025, and on July 11, the first full day of his visit, he was warmly received at the Palais de l’Élysée by President Macron. He was accompanied by members of his family. President Macron decorated his uncle, Prince Amyn, younger brother of His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, with France’s highest and most prestigious order of merit. At the Palace, three important agreements were signed between the Ismaili Imamat and France in the presence of President Macron and His Highness. Later that same day, Mawlana Hazar Imam met with the French Foreign and Interior Ministers. On July 12, he met with his followers in a historic first of two Didars since becoming the 50th Hereditary Imam of the Ismailis. For a comprehensive and detailed coverage of his visit, visit our sister website, Barakah, which has a special page dedicated to the historic visit.

The official website of the Ismaili community, the Ismaili, has posted special video updates of the visit in four parts. We are sharing the YouTube videos with you below.

THE ISMAILI UPDATE, JULY 13, 2025: THE AGA KHAN BLESSES HIS FOLLOWERS WITH A SECOND DIDAR TO COMPLETE HIS FRANCE VISIT

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THE ISMAILI UPDATE, JULY 11-12, 2025: THE AGA KHAN MEETS FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER (JULY 11) AND BLESSES HIS FOLLOWERS WITH HISTORIC DIDAR (JULY 12)

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THE ISMAILI UPDATE, JULY 11, 2025: PRESIDENT MACRON RECEIVES THE AGA KHAN

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THE ISMAILI UPDATE, JULY 10, 2025: THE AGA KHAN ARRIVES IN FRANCE

Date posted: July 12, 2025.
Last updated: July 17, 2025.

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Rahim Aga Khan in Mozambique for 50th independence celebration

The Aga Khan in Mozambique

25 June 2025

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Please click: His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Mozambique

His Highness the Aga Khan, the 50th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, arrived in Maputo, Mozambique, on June 22, 2025, to attend the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence. Our sister website, Barakah, which is dedicated to His Highness, follows the visit with unparalleled enthusiasm through official sources, including media reports, government websites, and posts on social media. We invite you to click Special Coverage of His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Mozambique for a comprehensive and detailed account of this historic moment in the life of the Aga Khan, who is visiting the country for the first time as the Imam of the worldwide Ismaili community. He became the 50th Imam on February 4, 2025, succeeding his father, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, who reigned the community for 67 years.

Please click: His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Mozambique

Aga Khan in Mozambique
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Ambassador Manuela Lucas, receives His Highness the Aga Khan at Maputo Airport on his arrival in Mozambique, June 22, 2025. Photograph: AKDN / Akbar Hakim.

Date posted: June 25, 2025.

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Rahim Aga Khan Maputo Academy inauguration 2022

Mozambique’s President Chapo visits the Aga Khan Academy in Maputo ahead of the Republic’s 50th Independence Day on June 25

19 June 2025

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Prepared and compiled by MALIK MERCHANT

The President of the Republic of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, on June 18, 2025, visited the Aga Khan Academy located in Matola, the largest suburb of the capital, Maputo, and expressed great appreciation for the education the Academy offers. Mozambique celebrates its 50th Independence Day from Portugal on June 25, 2025.

The Aga Khan Academy was inaugurated on Saturday March 19, 2022, by Mawlana Shah Rahim Al Hussaini Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, then Prince Rahim, representing his father, the 49th Hereditary Ismaili Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, who had laid the foundation stone of the Academy on June 25, 2004.

Flashback 2004: Mawlana Shah Karim, Foundation Ceremony, Aga Khan Academy Maputo

Mawlana Shah Karim Foundation of Aga Khan Academy Maputo
Then President Chissano of Mozambique and Princess Zahra Aga Khan look on as Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, addresses dignitaries at the foundation laying ceremony of the Aga Khan Academy Maputo on June 25, 2004. Photograph: The Ismaili USA, December 13, 2004.

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To the students here today, I would like to share with you one perspective. Throughout your studies and your youth, adults will tell you that the future is ahead of you. I want to tell you that the future is what you leave behind you, shaped by every one of your actions and your statements and your decisions. The future follows behind you in the path that you choose. Look at this academy — it’s an institution born of past decisions and past actions, which now will shape the future: your future, the future of your families, and the future of this beautiful country, Mozambique. — Prince Rahim Aga Khan, Maputo, March 19, 2022.

Flashback 2022: Mawlana Shah Rahim Hazar Imam, then Prince Rahim, Inauguration of Aga Khan Academy Maputo

Prince Rahim Aga Khan in Maputo, Aga Khan Academy June 18, 2022
Students at the Aga Khan Academy Maputo present an environmental project to Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, then Prince Rahim, during his visit to the campus on March 18, 2022, ahead of its inauguration on Saturday, March 19. Photograph: Akbar Hakim / IPL.

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June 18, 2025: Mozambique President Daniel Chapo visits Aga Khan Academy

The President of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, visits Aga Khan Academy in Maputo
The President of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, visits the Aga Khan Academy in Maputo on June 18, 2025, ahead of Mozambique’s Independence Day celebration on June 25, 2025. Photograph: Opais

President Chapo’s visit to the Academy took place on Wednesday morning, June 18. During it, he had the opportunity to learn about the functioning of the institution and the programs promoted by the Aga Khan Development Network. According to him, it is a model of excellence in education that combines an international curriculum with a strong leadership training component.

“We are very impressed. The assessment we are making of this visit is extremely positive”, declared the President, highlighting the cultural diversity of the school community and the inclusion of students from different Mozambican provinces and countries such as Syria and South Africa, many of whom are beneficiaries of scholarships.

Addressing the 50th anniversary of national independence celebrations, which will take place on June 25, the President linked the role of education to the country’s development, stressing that institutions such as the Aga Khan Academy contribute to the training of leaders capable of transforming Mozambique.

Tweet: President Chapo visits Maputo Aga Khan Academy

Date posted: June 19, 2025.
Last updated: June 20, 2025 (added more external links, see below).

Featured picture at the top of the post: Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, then Prince Rahim, representing his father Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, looks on as Mozambique’s then-President Filipe Nyusi and Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa unveil the inaugural plaque of the Aga Khan Academy on March 19, 2022.

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External links to related news:

Ghadir Khumm and the Aga Khan

Fourteen Centuries After Ghadir Khumm, Ismaili Muslims Continue to be Guided by the Eternal Rope of Imamat: His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan is the 50th Hereditary Imam

12 June 2025

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By MALIK MERCHANT

“God chose Adam and Noah and the House of Abraham and the House of Imran above all beings, the seed of one another; God hears, and knows” — Qur’an, 3:33-34, translation by A. J. Arberry, see Corpus Quran for multiple translations

Idd-e-Ghadir, the declaration of Ali as Imam, Barakah, Ghadir Khumm
A calligraphy designed by Toronto’s Karim Ismail honouring the first Shia Imam Ali on the auspicious commemoration of Eid-e Ghadir.

On June 13, 2025, corresponding to the 16th day of the Muslim month Dhuʻl-Hijjah in the year 1446 A.H, Ismaili Muslims, united across Canada and the globe, will come together to observe and celebrate Eid-e Ghadir.

This momentous occasion, steeped in history, marks the pivotal gathering at Ghadir Khumm, where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) designated Hazrat Ali as his successor, the first in the continuing line of Hereditary Imams.

From the day our beloved Prophet Muhammad passed away on June 8, 632, and Hazrat Ali (A.S.) became the first Imam on the Divine Commandment that the Prophet had earlier received at Ghadir Khumm, there have been fifty Ismaili Imams, spanning an impressive 1393 years in human history.

The 50th Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, holds a unique place in our history. He succeeded his father, Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, upon his death on February 4, 2025. Like all other Imams before him, Mawlana Shah Rahim Al Hussaini, who is now devotionally and respectfully addressed as Mawlana Hazar Imam, being the Imam-of-the-Time, will continue the vital role of guiding and developing the Ismaili community, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to shape the community’s identity and beliefs.

The historical event of Eid-e Ghadir, a pivotal moment in the Ismaili faith, holds profound significance. Today, the Ismaili community is led by the Hereditary position. Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, proudly affirmed that ‘the Ismailis are the only Shia community who, throughout history, have been guided by a living, hereditary Imam in direct descent from the Prophet’ — His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, Parliament of Canada, Ottawa, February 27, 2014.

History records that on the way back to Medina after performing the final pilgrimage to Mecca, the Prophet received a revelation:

“O Messenger, deliver [to the people] what has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not do so, then you will not have delivered His message”… Quran, Surah al-Ma’ida (5:67).

Upon receiving this revelation, the Holy Prophet stopped at an oasis known as Ghadir Khumm. This oasis, located strategically along the route from Mecca to Medina, was a natural gathering point for travellers. Here, the Prophet addressed a large gathering of Muslims who had accompanied him. The Prophet proclaimed: ‘Man kuntu mawlahu fa aliyyun mawlahu,’ meaning: ‘He whose Mawla I am, Ali is his Mawla.’ The Prophet then prayed: ‘O Allah, be a friend of whoever is his friend and extend your support to those who support him.’

This event, occurring at a crucial point in Islamic history, marked the transition of leadership from the Prophet to Hazrat Ali, setting the stage for the leadership and future of the Muslim community. By declaring Hazrat Ali Mawla after him, the Prophet transferred the spiritual authority bestowed upon him by Allah to Hazrat Ali, making him — and all the Imams that follow — the Amirul Mu’minin, or Master of the Believers. This title signifies his role as a Muslim community’s leader, protector, and guide, which Hazrat Ali and all his successors have fulfilled with unwavering dedication and commitment, ensuring the community’s well-being and prosperity.

Article continues below following excerpts and photographs

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Excerpts from L. Veccia Vaglieri piece in Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition

“Ghadir Khumm is famous in the history of Islam because of a sentence (or some sentences) in favour of ‘Ali which the Prophet uttered there during a discourse….Taking ‘Ali by the hand, he asked of his faithful followers whether he, Muhammad, was not closer to the Believers than they were to themselves; the crowd cried out: “It is so, O Apostle of God!”, he then declared. “He of whom I am the mawla, of him ‘Ali is also the mawla (man kuntu nawlahu fa-‘Ali mawlahu)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30598842
Photograph: Vysotsky – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia.

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Logo of the Encyclopaedia of Islam, featuring the words 'Encyclopaedia of Islam' and 'Online' in bold white letters against a background of green and yellow.

“Most of those sources which form the basis of our knowledge of the life of the Prophet pass in silence over Muhammad’s stop at Ghadir Khumm….Consequently, the western biographers of Muhammad, whose work is based on these [Sunni] sources, make no reference to what happened at Ghadir Khumm. It is however certain that Muhammad did speak in this place and utter the famous sentence…the hadiths are so numerous and so well attested by the different isnads that it does not seem possible to reject them.” Vaglieri goes on to state that on instruction from Prophet Muhammad, Hazrat Ali received baiyat (the oath of allegiance) from the Muslims assembled there, including Umar b. al-Khattab, Islam’s second Caliph.

(Note: special access is required to read articles in the on-line edition of EI2. Vaglieri’s piece was reproduced in full in the UK Ismaili Association’s publication Ilm, December 1976, pages 28-30, with the permission of E.J. Brill, publishers of EI2.)

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Excerpts from the Pream ble of the Ismaili Constitution ordained by the 49th Ismaili Imam

“In accordance with Shia doctrine, tradition, and interpretation of history, the Holy Prophet (s.a.s.) designated and appointed his cousin and son-in-law Hazrat Mawlana Ali Amiru-l-Mu’minin (a.s) to be the first Imam to continue the Ta’wīl and Ta’līm of Allah’s final message and to guide the murids, a term referring to the followers and disciples of the Imams. The proclamation also established the principle of the Imamat continuing by heredity through Hazrat Mawlana Ali (a.s) and his daughter Hazrat Bibi Fatimat-az-Zahra, Khātun-i-Jannat (a.s)”

Aga Khan ordains new Ismaili constitution
Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness the Aga Khan, is seen signing a new constitution for the worldwide Ismaili community on his 50th birthday, December 13, 1986.

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The 50th Imam, Mawlana Shah Rahim Al Hussaini Hazar Imam, signs the Ismaili Constitution under his name on February 11, 2025

Rahim Aga Khan signs the Ismaili Constitution under his name, Barakah dedicated to the Aga Khan
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, signs the Ismaili Constitution in his name at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat, the Headquarters of the Imamat in Lisbon on the historic occasion of his Takht-nishini (ceremonial installation), February 11, 2025. Photograph: Akbar Hakim / The Ismaili.

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…. continued

On the instruction from Prophet Muhammad, Hazrat Ali received baiyat (the oath of allegiance) from the Muslims assembled there. According to Shia traditions and sources, following the proclamation, the final verse of the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet:

“On this day, I have perfected for you your religion, completed my favours upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”

Eid-e Ghadir is an anniversary of profound significance to all Shia Muslims. It is also associated with the following well-attested tradition that the Prophet is said to have proclaimed. This tradition, which is widely accepted and recognized by the Shia community, further underscores the importance of the event and its pivotal role in shaping the future of the Muslim community:

An illustrated representation of the Hadith Thaqalayn, featuring an infinity symbol, with the quote: 'I leave among you two weighty things: The Book of Allah and my Progeny.' Below the symbol, it states: 'If you keep yourselves attached to these two, never, never will you go astray. Both are tied with a long rope and cannot be separated until the Day of Judgement.'
Credit: Infinity design povray.org

“I am leaving among you two matters of great weight (al-thaqalayn), the Book of Allah and my kindred (itrati), the People of my House (Ahl al-Bayt), and these two shall never be separated until they return to me at the Pool [of Kawthar in Paradise on the Day of Judgement]…”

The phrase ‘two matters of great weight’ refers to the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt. The Quran, as the holy book of Islam, and the Ahl al-Bayt, as the Prophet’s kindred, are inseparable and hold eternal significance in the Shia Islamic tradition.

As we commemorate Eid-e Ghadir, the Ismaili community stands united, celebrating the seminal event of Ghadir Khumm. This celebration is a historical marker and a powerful reminder of our allegiance to the Imam-of-the-Time, the direct lineal successor and inheritor of Hazrat Ali’s authority.

The community is not just inspired but united and driven by the following remark made during Mawlana Shah Karim’s speech in Canada’s Parliament on February 27, 2024:

“Today, the Ismailis are the only Shia community who, throughout history, have been led by a living, hereditary Imam in direct descent from the Prophet.”

As Mawlana Shah Rahim Al Hussaini prepares to make history with his visit to his Jamats around the world, the first such visit will be to France in July 2025, we invite our readers to reflect on the Takh-nishini (ceremonial installation) that took place on February 11, 2025, a week after he assumed the devotional and respectful title of Mawlana Hazar Imam that had been used for 67 years for Mawlana Shah Karim. Please click His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan accepts oath of allegiance from the global Ismaili community as the Mantle of Imamat is passed to him by his father, Prince Karim, in a magnificent and moving ceremony in Lisbon – Barakah.

Date posted: June 12, 2025.

A version of this piece appears on our sister website, Barakah.

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Related articles:

July in the valey of Vanch in the Pamirs. Entire orchards, rooftops and large rocks are covered with apricots drying in the sun.

Apricot farmers in the Hunza Valley get a boost for worldwide exports as they get good grades for their crop; you can order or buy Hunza Apricots from Portland, Oregon

16 May 2025

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Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT

On one of my regular visits to Toronto’s St Lawrence Market in June 2021, I picked up a bagful of large apricots. I published a photograph of the largest apricot in the lot and other interesting and exciting moments from my week.

About the apricot, I wrote: “With energy from consuming a large sweet apricot, the size of a peach, that I bought from St Lawrence Market …. I spent an hour or so at the [Aga Khan] Park.” My article continued: “Imagine supermarkets all around North America offering a fruit from Hunza, where it is grown in abundance. Fair-traded organic apricots from HUNZA, the labels on the fruit shelf would read. We find New Zealand kiwis, South African oranges, Australian apples, Moroccan and Spanish clementines, Mexican ataulfo mangoes and many other tropical fruits from Latin American countries. Now, how about apricots from Hunza! Imagine its impact on the livelihood of farmers and their families in the Northern regions of Pakistan!”

Moreover, apricot lovers in North America — and other parts of the world — would delight in consuming fruit from the exotic and enchanting Hunza Valley.

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A new partnership model spreads apricots from the Karakoram Mountains in Hunza to the rest of the world

Apricot st lawrence market
A massive apricot, the size of a peach, from St. Lawrence Market, Toronto, June 2021. The apricot pictured is not from Hunza. Photograph: © Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.

More than three years later, my heart jumped with joy as I read a piece describing IFAD’s public-private-producer partnership (4Ps) to make Hunza-grown apricots reach the rest of the world from the high mountain passes. This inspiring initiative, a beacon of hope and a potential game-changer for the future of agriculture and apricot farmers in Hunza, is part of IFAD’s unwavering long-term commitment to transforming rural communities. IFAD has been transforming rural communities for almost 50 years, and believes that “a better future starts in rural areas.” Please read Getting good grades: apricot farmers in the Hunza Valley strive for the best, which describes this inspiring initiative.

If extended to other parts of Pakistan, such as Chitral, and Central Asian countries, such as Afghanistan and Tajikistan, the initiative could not only improve the livelihood of farmers who cultivate this vital crop but also create numerous job opportunities. The apricot, a versatile fruit, can be consumed fresh, processed into dried apricots, jams, jellies, or used in juice and other products. The apricot kernels yield oil, which is used in cosmetics and other applications, such as press cake, which can be further processed as animal feed, fertilizer, and other industrial applications.

Story continues below

apricot
Apricots left to dry in the sun. Photograph: © With Our Own Hands, page 245.

My search for Hunza apricots in North America led me to One Green World, a family-owned and operated nursery in Portland, Oregon. This unique nursery offers a diverse range of food plants and their companions worldwide, including the rare and unique Hunza apricot. The nursery states on its website that the Hunza apricot is a precious variety from northwest Pakistan, where it grows wild in the Hunza Valley. It describes the fruit as delectably sweet and tender, and fully ripe apricots as a unique, tasty treat. The bloom time for these apricots is March, and they ripen in June or July. Don’t miss the chance to experience the seasonal availability of Hunza Apricots at One Green World.

I hope this story of the Hunza Apricot will inspire Jamati institutions and the Aga Khan Development Network to seek ways to collaborate with the brokers of the 4P initiative to encourage the farmers further. Similarly, Ismaili-owned grocery chains and stores can work together to import this delicious fruit and its byproduct and make it widely available across North America, contributing to the economic well-being of Hunza and its beautiful people.

WATCH A VIDEO ABOUT HOW IFAD IS TRANSFORMING APRICOT FARMERS AND A RURAL COMMUNITY IN HUNZA

The featured photo at the top of the post: July in the valley of Vanch in the Pamirs. Entire orchards, rooftops and large rocks are covered with apricots drying in the sun. Photograph: © With Our Own Hands, page 244.

Date published: May 16, 2025.
Last updated: May 18, 2025 (formatting and typos).

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