Expressions of the Golden Jubilee

A group photo of the participants of “The Festival of Poetic Expressions” which was held to celebrate the Golden Jubilee celebrations of His Highness the Aga Khan. The picture includes the UK Ismaili leadership and the organizing committee of the Festival. Photo: The Aga Khan Council for the UK. Please click for photo enlargement

Ismailis throughout the world celebrated the Golden Jubilee of their 49th Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, Mawlana Shah Karim al-Hussayni, during the period July 11, 2007 – December 13, 2008. Many meaningful and enjoyable programs were held during this time in the form of exhibitions, sports festivals, cultural and artistic shows; these reflected the talent of a sample of the Ismaili community in a multitude of ways.

The cake prepared for the launching of “The Festival of Poetic Expressions”

The warmth and happiness that the Festival’s stage performance evoked is clearly evident in this photo. Two thousand people attended the three performances in the UK and Germany. Photo: The Aga Khan Council for the UK. Please click for enlargement

Part of the commemorative festivities in Europe included an exclusive project, entitled “Festival of Poetic Expressions”. Produced and directed by Aitmadi Dr. Aziz Kurwa, under the aegis of the Aga Khan Council for the United Kingdom, the festival attracted entries from 205 participants of different age groups,  demonstrating rich and pluralistic Ismaili traditions from around the world. Twenty two original poetic pieces were selected from these entries, culminating in a showcase of staged performances held in London, Manchester and Germany. These included the Shia Adhan from the glorious Fatimid period of Ismaili history, the recitation of Ginans and Qasidas accompanied by dance and music, as well as vibrant Ghazals and Qawalis in an environment that reflected the Mughal Darbar. The performance team consisted of around one hundred participants, supported in production by numerous experts and volunteers.

A photo capturing the serenity of the stage and the event. Photo: The Aga Khan Council for the UK. Please click for enlargement.

Ismaili youth perform at “The Festival of Poetic Expressions.” Photo: The Aga Khan Council for the UK. Please click for enlargement.

The common theme underlying each performance was the expression of mystical and esoteric love the murids have for their Imam of the Time. Simerg, encouraged by the proposal and broader vision of Dr. Aziz Kurwa as well as the support of the President of the United Kingdom National Council, Mr. Amin Mawji, is delighted to offer to its readers the English translation of the 22 poems that were selected for the presentation. Wherever possible, the English translations will be accompanied by the original script, and its corrresponding English transliteration.

The organizers of the event would once again like to convey their special thanks to all the participants of “The Festival of Poetic Expressions” and wish them Barakah in all aspects of their life. Simerg sincerely thanks President Mawji and Aitmadi Kurwa for giving us the opportunity to publish the twenty poems on this Web site.

Publication date: September 25, 2010
Last modified: October 31, 2010

© Copyright

______________

FESTIVAL POEMS LINKS

“Born of the Light” by Amin Mawji
“The Key” by Farrah Sheikh
“Mabruki, Mabruki” by Neemat Koraci
“The Noor of Hazar Imam” by Inaara Verhoosel
“Kaleidoscope of Faith” by Zainul Nasser
“The Dancing Heart” by Greg Traynor
Zahira Virani: “The Morning Sun”
“My Ultimate Desire” by Niema Victoria Alhaj
“O The Light of Imamat” by Ghulam Abbas Hunzai
“Padhramni” by Aliya Solanki
“A Beautiful Voice” by Hala Khalaf-Alhaj
“Jubilee Golden” by Rahim Valli
“Fifty Years” by Fazila Bhanvadiya
“Purity of Faith” by Shaheroz Bharwani
“Golden Jubilee” by Kaycia Jinnah
“Our Love for Mawlana Hazar Imam” by Sadaf Sherbari
“Jamatkhana” by Raziyyudin Jamani
“Expressions” by Aliyana Hirji
“What is the Releationship Between You and Me?” by Maherun Nisa Pradhan
“A Nazrana For You” by Zain Velji

PARTICIPANT PHOTOS

Amin Mawji presenting his poem “Born of the Light” at the Festival of Poetic Expressions.

Farrah Sheikh in her performance of “The Key” at the Festival of Poetic Expressions.

Neemat Koraci’s poem “Mabruki, Mabruki” at the Festival of Poetic Expressions was a Swahili composition.

Inaara Vehoosel’s poem “The Noor of Hazar Imam” was in Dutch. She performed with her twin brother and older sister at the Festival of Poetic Expressions.

Last updated: October 15, 2020.

_________________

Photo Credits: The photos shown above are taken from a special CD, “The Festival of Poetic Expressions,”  produced by the Aga Khan Council for the United Kingdom.

Please also visit the Simerg Home page. For links to all articles posted on this Web site since its launch in March 2009, please click What’s New.