“I learned that when Mohamed was asked how a person could get into Heaven he told them they needed to learn the Names of God; when pressed on how many there were Mohamed responded that there were 99. This really resonated with me; I began to study the Names and respond to them through glass sculpture, and the 99 Names Project was born…” — Andrew Kosorok, Utah
Wellspring of Peace (As-Salam). Photo: Andrew Kosorok. Copyright.
“…In the Diamir Face, Nanga Parbat is one of the most difficult and technical mountain to climb. Where there is 100 metres of negative incline climbing, and in that wall there are stairs in four places and one has to hang on those places….You cannot rest freely on the climbing route of Nanga Parbat, if you walk for eight hours then you have to stay on the rope for eight hours for having rest. It is not like G-2 and Broad Peak where you can rest, you can sit and then continue your climbing. But in Nanga Parbat you have to stay bent on the rope continuously for eight hours with no possibility of sitting down…”
PLEASE CLICK: Mountain Voices — Ismaili Testimonies of Life in the Remote Mountains of Pakistan: (I) A Mountaineer’s Adventure
The road to school is full of potential dangers for Shimshal children. Photo: Pam Henson. Copyright.
REMEMBERING AN ISMAILI MAN OF LETTERS
Born in Kisumu, Kenya, to Rabhiabai and Kassam Janmohamed on June 6, 1931, Ameer Kassam Janmohamed was kind and generous and true to the responsibilities he had to his family and friends, his faith and the noble causes he undertook in public life from his youthful days. His long time service to the Rotarians was particularly significant.
Please click on Ameer Kassam Janmohamed (1931-2014) or photo for tribute.
Ameer Kassam Janmohamed (1931-2014), lived his life to the fullest. Please click on photo for tribute.
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Toronto based Ismaili author, M..H. Velshi whose book excerpt can be read by clicking on the image or link below
The year is 1936, and the setting for a serious dialogue between a brother and his sister is Mumbai’s famous Chawpati on Marine Drive – with the continent of Africa in the distant horizon, thousands of miles away….
“To Africa,” she said.
She looked at his startled face and continued, “That’s your future. So many of my friends have gone and bought shops or farms, or found work on the railways…You know for many years our Imam, Mowlana Sultan Mohammed Shah, has been issuing firmans to us Ismailis to migrate to Africa. Now the Ismailis have built large jamatkhanas in Africa where people can pray and meet freely every day. You won’t be alone. When I heard one of his firmans…I knew it was a message meant for you. It’s your way out.”
PLEASE CLICK: “Conversations on Three Continents”
Please click on image for book excerpt.
To acquire a Kindle version ($9.11) or a paperback copy ($11.66) at Amazon please click on Conversations on Three Continents.
The following image is a copy of the original message sent to Ismaili youth by the 48th Ismaili Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan (1877 – 1957) on the occasion of the Students’ Rally held in Nairobi, and appeared in the Diamond Jubilee Souvenir, 1946. Another version of the image along with the cover page of the souvenir issue can be viewed by clicking on Historical Images: The 48th Ismaili Imam’s “Never-to-be-Forgotten” Message to Ismaili Youth or on the following image.
The above image of the message sent to Ismaili Youth appears in the Diamond Jubilee Souvenir Yearbook published in Dar-es-Salaam on August 10th 1946. Please click on image to view a larger version of the image as well as the cover page of the special issue.
UNEDITED TRANSCRIPT
“To My Spiritual children taking part in The Rally
Blessings and Welcome – I am sorry my health does not permit me to be with you but I have followed your programme with great interest. Remember that according to our Ismailia Faith the body is the Temple of God for it carries the soul that receives Divine Light so great care of body its health and cleanliness are to guide you in later life care of your inside and outside cleanliness – mouth, eyes, ears and on first signs of infection to the dispensary. Later in life sports will become difficult for you but you can do much by going about your business, shopping etc on foot and carrying yourselves straight. The times of prayer should not be forgotten if you can do go to Jamatkana, if not say your Tesbih wherever you be. So keep clean soul in a clean body Blessings Aga Khan”
Date posted: Sunday, January 19, 2014.
Following his highly acclaimed piece Ismaili Spirituality in Pir Shams Shabzwari’s Ginan “Ek Shabada Suno Mere Bhai”, writer Shiraz Pradhan continues his exploration of the spiritual dimensions of Ismailism with yet another ginan composed by Pir Shams, namely “Kesri Sinha”.
Please click: An Explanation of the Ismaili Ginan
“Kesri Sinha Sarup Bhulayo”
Please click on image for article. Photo: Istockphoto.com. Copyright.
Through the parable in the ginan about a lion cub who grows up in a flock of sheep and starts to behave like a sheep, the Pir seeks to encourage us to correct our own errors and recognize our true nature. Pradhan’s essay cross references other writings and ginans with a similar theme, and finally concludes with a translation of the five verses of “Kesri Sinha” for the benefit of the readers.
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
Abdulmalik Merchant, Publisher-Editor, Simerg. Click photo for profile.
To mark Simerg’s 3rd anniversary, a special series “Thanking Ismaili Historical Figures” was launched because I have felt that learning about outstanding Ismaili figures can help us to make better decisions as members or leaders of the community to which we belong, and instill in us greater sense of responsibility when dealing with community success stories, issues and challenges as well as personal disappointments and setbacks. Fourteen different individuals have contributed to the series so far and their thank you letters to numerous individuals covering 1400 years of history are a must read. Please click on 14 Inspirational Thank You Letters to Remarkable Ismaili Historical Figures and take your time to read each thank you letter over the next few days or weeks. I am sure you will be enlightened by these letters to Prince Amyn, Prince Sadruddin, Pir Sabzali, Ismaili philosophers and other historical figures.
Please click on image to download series “I Wish I’d Been There”
In the same vein as “Thanking Ismaili Historical Figures”, Simerg had earlier presented a series called “I Wish I’d Been There” in which 31 writers from different backgrounds took an incident in Ismaili History and briefly described why they would have liked to have been a witness to an iconic moment of their choice.
From the historical period of Prophet Muhammad, Hazrat Ali and Imam Hussein to Imam Mahdi’s unveiling at Sijilmasa in today’s Morocco to the burning of the library in Alamut as well as the more recent history covering the periods of Tharia Topan and Ismail Gangji, this rich series deserves to be read. The 121 page PDF publication can be quickly downloaded by clicking on I Wish I’d Been There Series – PDF or the series articles can be individually accessed by clicking on I Wish I’d Been There.
Both the series are engaging, informative as well as inspiring, and we are sure readers will wish to share them with their family members and friends.
Date posted: Sunday, January 12, 2014.
Following the recent publication of an exclusive piece Ismailis in China – A Travelogue with a Special Photo Collection by Ghulam Panjwani, we are happy to add more photos and images to the original collection, and publish it as a special photo essay at Simerg’s companion photo blog. Please click on the following link or image:
Hand carved and painted ceilings, pillars and walls inside Xingjiang’s Poskam jamatkhana. Please click on image for more photos.
Jehangir Merchant’s Thank You Letter to the Fatimid Ismaili Icon, Da’i Al-Mu’ayyad al-Shirazi by Jehangir A. Merchant (Canada)
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Jalaledin Ebrahim’s Gratitude to Amira Dharrab, Abu Najm Sarraj and Hasan-i-Sabbah by Jalaledin Ebrahim (USA)
Khalil Andani’s Thank You Letter to the School of Isma‘ili Philosophers by Khalil Andani (USA/Canada)
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Navyn Naran’s Ode to Pir Hasan Kabirdin – the Author of Anant Akhado and the Nav Chugga
A Thank You Letter Inspired by Prince Amyn Mohammad Aga Khan’s Exceptional Service to the Imamat by Azeem Maherali (USA)
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Vali Jamal’s Thank You Letter to Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan: The 1972 Expulsion of Asians from Uganda by Vali Jamal (Uganda)
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Salim Kanji’s Thank You Letter to Three Ismaili Pioneers in East Africa by Salim Kanji (Canada)
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Zarina Moosa’s Thank You Letter to Lady Ali Shah Through the Voice of Her Son, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III by Zarina Moosa (Canada)
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Reminiscences of Two Great Ismaili Missionaries, Pir Sabzali and Meghji Missionary by Izat Velji (Canada)
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Ameer Janmohamed’s Thank You Letter to Pir Sabzali and the Ismaili Pirs of the Ginanic Tradition by Ameer Janmohamed (UK)
Please click for “Thank You” Letter to Pir Sabzali
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Hatim Mahamid’s Thank You Letter to the IIS by Hatim Mahamid (Israel)
Please click on image to read complete “Thank You” letter.
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A “Thank You” Letter to the Person of the Institution of Imamat by Aziz Kurwa (UK)
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A Thank You Letter to Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan – “A Man of Multiple Visions” by Mohezin Tejani (Thailand)
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A “Thank You” Letter to the Makers of the Blue Qur’an by Andrew Kosorok (USA)
Please click for thank you letter. Image: Simerg.com.
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Has anyone in Ismaili history from the earliest times to the modern period inspired you and left an indelible mark on your life? How would you thank that one individual and what would you say in your letter to the person or groups of persons? We invite your contributions for this on-going imaginative series which began during this blog’s 3rd anniversary.
Please send your contribution to Simerg@aol.com, Subject: “Thank You Series.” All contributors will be contacted before their letters are published. Contributors must include their full name, address and phone number, and accompany their information with a brief profile and, optionally, a photo.
Date posted: Wednesday, January 8, 2014
A LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
By Abdulmalik J. A Merchant
Abdulmalik Merchant, Publisher-Editor, Simerg
Between Simerg and its photo website Simergphotos, I have published almost 900 pieces (see Table of Contents) since I began blogging in early 2009. I am thrilled about every piece that I receive, review and publish. I work closely with the many contributors, and collaborate with them every step of the way until the piece is finally published. Readers’ feedback varies from article to article, but the best response has always been reserved for the photo pieces. The photos of the Tashkurgan Jamatkhana in China which I published almost 3 years ago (see A Jamatkhana in Tashkorgan, China) precipitated a tremendous outpouring of interest due to the mystery surrounding the Ismailis in China. Readers were captivated and wanted to know more. I did not have enough material to satisfy their curiosity on that subject.
All that changed with a truly remarkable collection of photos that I started receiving recently from Ghulam Panjwani of Nairobi, who over the past several years has made numerous trips to China. He and his wife Mumtaz prepared a comprehensive narrative about the Chinese Ismailis including their social and religious customs and traditions.
PLEASE CLICK: Ismailis in China – A Travelogue with a Special Photo Collection
That the Panjwanis have decided to share their valuable experience and inside knowledge via Simerg is a source of immense happiness to me, and I am deeply grateful to them for their special contribution, as we embark on a new exciting year at Simerg and Simergphotos.
The goal is to reach more and more readers, and you can help in this process by informing your friends and relatives as well as your contacts about both www.simerg.com and www.simerphotos.com. A free subscription is only a click away at the top right of this page.
I welcome your feedback at Simerg@aol.com and invite you to contribute original pieces for the two blogs. You have a wide choice of topics you can write about.
I hope you enjoy Ghulam’s piece for the New Year! My parents, Jehangir and Maleksultan Merchant, and daughter Nurin join me in wishing you and your families a very happy and joyous 2014. May all your wishes be fulfilled.
Please click on image below or Ismailis in China – A Travelogue with a Special Photo Collection
Simerg - Insights from Around the World 