The Al-Azhar Park: Cairo’s “Green Lung” was once a dump site for centuries and the Aga Khan transformed it to a must visit world-class park

PLEASE CLICK: CAIRO’S AL-AZHAR PARK

Muslim Harji, Al Azhar Park Cairo, Simerg, simergphotos, Barakah
A view of the Al-Azhar Park in Cairo. Please click on image for Muslim Harjis’s exclusive photo essay.

Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT

The Aga Khan’s gift to Alberta is the Aga Khan Garden at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden in the outskirts of Edmonton. If you are in Edmonton, spend a day visiting the vast Botanic Garden that also includes the Indigenous Garden, Kurimoto Japanese Garden and the Patrick Seymour Alpine Garden. In the past year, I have made two trips to see the Aga Khan Garden. Please see my first post HERE and the second one with my daughter HERE (combined with visits to Waterton Lakes National Park and the Kananaskis).

Thousands of miles away in bustling Cairo, where the Aga Khan’s ancestors, the Fatimids, built one of the oldest universities in the world, the Al-Azhar, the Aga Khan one day, in the 1980’s, walked through a centuries old dumpsite. He decided to build a park on top of the site and after years and years of effort the dump site became one of the most beautiful parks in the world. Montreal based photographer Muslim Harji recently visited Egypt and began a special series of 4 exclusive photo essays with Street Foods of Cairo. We now present his 2nd photo essay and it is dedicated to the Al-Azhar Park.

Al Azhar Park beautiful wedding photo. Simerg.
A newly wedded couple share a beautiful moment at Cairo’s Al-Azhar Park. Please click on image for Muslim Harji’s exclusive photo essay. Photograph: © Muslim Harji.

Date posted: May 31, 2023.

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Travelling the world with Muslim Harji: An exclusive photo series on Cairo, a city founded in 969 by the Fatimids, ancestors of the Aga Khan

Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT

On Monday. April 17, 2023, Simerg’s sister website Simergphotos will launch a special 4-week series on Cairo — a city founded more than a 1000 years ago by the Fatimids, ancestors of the present 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, His Highness the Aga Khan.

Lanterns in Islamic Cairo. Photograph: Muslim Harji.
Lanterns in Islamic Cairo. Photograph: Muslim Harji.

Muslim Harji’s photographs will cover Islamic Cairo, the city’s popular foods including its street foods as well as the beautiful Al-Azhar Park that has captured the hearts of Cairo’s residents. He will conclude the series with photographs of his memorable visit to Aswan, the burial place of the 48th Ismaili Imam, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III (d. July 11, 1957.)

Fellucas on the Nile in Aswan. Photograph: Muslim Harji
Fellucas on the Nile in Aswan. Photograph: Muslim Harji

As a forerunner to the Cairo series, we invite our readers to view a selection of Muslim’s highly acclaimed photo essays that have appeared in Simerg and its sister blogs over the last decade. Muslim’s dazzling pictures will capture your imagination and leave a permanent mark on your minds.

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TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH MUSLIM HARJI TO CANADA, SPAIN, THE MIDDLE EAST, CENTRAL ASIA, IRAN, INDIA AND MORE

Please click on the hyperlink or corresponding image for full story

SACRED SPACES IN WORLD RELIGIONS INCLUDING JERUSALEM

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AN ANTHOLOGY OF THE SILK ROAD

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STREET FOODS OF SOUTH EAST ASIA

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THE ALHAMBRA

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NELSON MANDELA AND THE ROBBEN ISLAND PRISON

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MONTREAL’S BEAUTIFUL AND DIVERSE ISMAILI FACES

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TAJIKISTAN LANDSCAPES

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STREET FOODS OF INDIA

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BARCELONA’S WORLD FAMOUS LA BOQUERIA MARKET

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ISMAILI VOLUNTEERS AT WORK: PREPARING A COMMUNITY FEAST

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DELHI’S SPECTACULAR ISLAMIC HERITAGE INCLUDING HUMAYUN’S TOMB

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DUSHANBE’S MAGNIFICENT ISMAILI CENTRE

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THE AGA KHAN’S 80TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS IN MONTREAL

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DUBAI’S JEWEL: THE ISMAILI CENTRE

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IRAN AND ALAMUT LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE

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AN ISMAILI WEDDING IN THE PAMIRS

Date posted: April 13, 2023.

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The Easter tradition and sacred Christian objects

On April 9, 2023, Christians around the world will observe Easter Sunday as mark of their faith that Jesus Christ — Prophet Issa (may peace be on him) as he is known in Islam — was resurrected three days after his death by crucifixion. Simerg presents a selection of photos related to Easter traditions and the Christian faith captured by Montreal’s Muslim Harji during his travels around the world. The photographs shown on this page are part of a broader presentation of Harji’s highly acclaimed and must-read photo essay SACRED SPACES in world faiths that appears on Simergphotos.

Crucifixion procession Jerusalem
This route through the Old City of Jerusalem is revered by Christian pilgrims as the route taken by Jesus as he was led to his crucifixion. It is the setting of regular processions. Photo: © Muslim Harji, Montreal, PQ, Canada.

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Muslim Harji Sacred Spaces Christian Simergphotos Stone of Anointing
The Stone of Unction, also known as the Stone of Anointing, is just inside the entrance of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and is believed to be the place where the body of Jesus Christ was laid down after being removed from the crucifix and prepared for burial. Photo: © Muslim Harji, Montreal, PQ, Canada.

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Muslim Harji Sacred Spaces Christian Simergphotos
A Coptic Christian priest at the Lake Tana Churches and Monasteries in Bahar Dar, Ethiopia, holding for display an early manuscript. The Lake Tana area was important from the 14th through 16th centuries in view of its role in maintaining the Christian faith against contemporary pressures, and the rise of the Solomonic Dynasty which patronized the building of churches and monasteries. Many of the earliest manuscripts and precious examples of ecclesiastical art as well as royal objects were safely stored in their treasuries. Photo: © Muslim Harji, Montreal, PQ, Canada.

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Muslim Harji Sacred Spaces Christian Simergphotos
Sacred objects of ecclesiastical art at the Lake Tana Churches. Photo: © Muslim Harji, Montreal, PQ, Canada.

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Muslim Harji Sacred Spaces Christian Simergphotos Monastery
St. George’s Monastery, Jerusalem, where Christian monks maintain their ancient way of life, began in the fourth century with a few monks who sought the desert experiences of the prophets. Photo: © Muslim Harji, Montreal, PQ, Canada.

Date posted: April 4, 2021 (in Simpergphtos).
Date reposted: April 8, 2023.

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Please take a moment to review Simerg’s Table of Contents as well as visit Simerg’s sister websites Barakah and Simergphotos. The editor may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com.

Stunning photos: Banff National Park’s beautiful animals and nature in the thick of a Canadian winter

Please click: BEAUTIFUL BANFF

If you are in Alberta, and are waiting for warmer weather to see Banff National Park’s emerald coloured lakes, green forests and wildlife, make no mistake that the Park offers extraordinary scenery in winter. Its snow covered mountains and frozen lakes will baffle your eyes and, with the exception of bears who will be in hibernation for a few more weeks, you will also encounter an amazing variety of wildlife. Malik Merchant’s short excursion to Banff and Lake Louise offered him a rare opportunity to witness how Albertans, Canadians and people from all over the world come to Banff to enjoy its extraordinary mountains, ski resorts, sulphur springs, canyons and trails….as well as coffee shops, restaurants and art galleries! Please click HERE or on the photo below for Merchant’s story and photographs on Simergphotos.

A coyote off Banff’s Tunnel Mountain Road. Please click on image for story and more photos.

Featured photos at top of post: A CP freight train passes through Morant’s curve on the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), 6 kms from Lake Louise. The lookout point is a very popular spot for visitors as it offers a stunning view of trains coming around the bend, with the Bow River flowing along the side and mountains in the background. It is a dream spot for train lovers! The frequency of the trains is unreliable, though.

Date posted: March 14, 2023.

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Photo Essay: Alberta’s Beautiful Waterton Lakes National Park and the Stunning Kananaskis Country

Please click Waterton Lakes National Park and Kananaskis Country

Nurin Merchant pens down a photo essay to reflect on her summer visit to Alberta in 2022. With spring soon approaching and summer to follow, Nurin strongly recommends that Albertans and visitors to the province should consider visiting Waterton Lakes National Park and the Kananaskis country to experience their extraordinary natural beauty, the stunning Rocky Mountains and superb wildlife. Please click PHOTO ESSAY or on the photograph below to view a small collection of photographs from more than 1,200 that she took with her dad over a period of 6 days in Alberta.

Waterton Lake. Please click on image for photo essay.

Featured photo at top of post: Forget Me Not Pond, Kananaskis Country.

Date posted: February 26, 2023.

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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 SimergphotosThe editor may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com.

‘Dream’ Image of a Snow Leopard in Mountains in Ladhak Wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award; Highly Commended Finalists are from Canada and Spain

“I’m incredibly proud to be the winner of this year’s People’s Choice Award and I thank all the supporters around the world for making this happen. Photography can connect people to wildlife and encourage them to appreciate the beauty of the unseen natural world. I believe that a greater understanding of wildlife leads to deeper caring which hopefully results in active support and greater public interest for conservation” — Sascha Fonseca, Germany….Click READ MORE or on photo below 

Natural History Museum, Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award
Top: Winner, Snow Leopard by Sascha Fonseca. Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award, developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London. Other wildlife images in collage are Highly Commended Finalists. Please click on image for full story and photographs. All photographs Copyright of the respective photographer.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.

Date posted: February 11, 2023.

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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 SimergphotosThe editor may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com.

Photo Essay: ‘The Queen of the Skies’ – the Beautiful Boeing 747

After more than 50 years in the air, the last Boeing 747 left its assembly line in December 2022 for delivery to Atlas Air. Malik Merchant honours the Boeing 747 with a special collection of official images as well as textual material from Boeing Images. Feel the grandeur of the iconic 747 by clicking on BOEING 747 or on the image below.

Boeing 747 photo essay honoring the, Jumbo,  Malik Merchant, Simerg, News of Beings last plane.
Boeing 747 over Mt. Rainier in Washington State, US. Please click on image for article honouring the Jumbo. Photographs: Copyright © Boeing.

Date posted: January 30, 2023.

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REVIEW SIMERG’S TABLE OF CONTENTS AND VISIT ITS SISTER WEBSITES

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 SimergphotosThe editor may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com.

Morant’s Curve: One of the World’s Premiere Train Lookout Points in Banff National Park’s Bow Valley Parkway

Malik Merchant returns to Banff National Park after 15 long years, and this time at the start of 2023 in the thick of winter. His photographs will bring you closer to one of Canada’s top destinations and you will be awed with what you learn and see about Morant’s Curve as well as a rare endangered snail that only lives in Banff’s sulphur springs….and, of course, we have other Rocky Mountain photographs too! You must read and share this beautiful post. CLICK FOR MORE! Or click on photos, below.

Can you spot the endangered snail? Click on image for more photographs from the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff’. Photograph: Malik Merchant.

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Morant's Curve, Malik Merchant Simerg Photos.
Morant’s Curve, Bow Valley Parkway, Hwy 1A, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Please click on photo for more beautiful photographs. Photograph: Malik Merchant.

Date posted: January 14, 2023.

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REVIEW SIMERG’S TABLE OF CONTENTS AND VISIT ITS SISTER WEBSITES

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 SimergphotosThe editor may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com.

Stunning Starry Night and Milky Way Photos Taken by Ron Richey at Jasper National Park, Canada

Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT

PLEASE CLICK: STARRY NIGHT AND THE MILKY WAY, JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Pyramid Mountain, October 18, 2022.

I fell in love with Pyramid Lake and the Pyramid Mountain behind it the moment I saw it on October 17, 2022. I kept going to it every day I was in Jasper, but nothing could be as breathtaking than being at the site on a dark clear night during Jasper’s annual Dark Sky Event. On October 18, I stood next to Ron Richey as he focused his lens into the sky and photographed the Milky Way and all the millions of stars above the Lake. I am pleased to share his photographs on Simergphotos. Do not miss this incredible awe-inspiring view of our universe by Ron, an avid photographer and a passionate lover of nature. And remember he took the photos in Jasper, the 2nd largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world. So, you can imagine!

Milky Way, Pyramid Lake, Ron Richey, Simergphotos.
Our Milky Way, stretching 1000,000 light years across and 13.6 billion years of age. Please click on photo for Ron Richey’s stunning photographs.

Date posted: November 1, 2022.
Last updated: November 6, 2022 (as a repost.)

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Photos: Driving Through the Scenic Backcountry Gravel Hwy 742, the Smith-Dorrien Trail, in Kananaskis Country

Malik Merchant subjects his Mazda 6 Sedan through 60 kms of rough gravel road, the Hwy 742 or the Smith-Dorrien Trail, to experience some stunning mountain scenery and wildlife in Alberta’s spectacular Kananaskis region. Please click HERE or on photo below to read his report of a memorable 3 hour trip that ended with the greatest rib-eye steak in his life at the Rustica restaurant in Canmore, with the magnificent Three Sisters Mountains smiling on him. Kananaskis is a very short drive from Calgary, and having made 3 trips to the region in as many days (!) Merchant highly recommends everyone to discover this beautiful section of Alberta that brims with natural beauty, easy to moderate to the most strenuous hiking trails as well as great wildlife!….. Read More

A memorial bench at Sprays Lake Reservoir on Hwy 742, the Smith-Dorrien Trail, that starts at the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada. Please click on image for full report and photographs

Date posted: July 27, 2022.

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REVIEW SIMERG’S TABLE OF CONTENTS AND VISIT ITS SISTER WEBSITES

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. Reach the editor, Malik, at mmerchant@simerg.com