Readings on Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.): Ismaili Ginanic Literature, Two Songs and a Maulid in Lamu

19 January 2013

Leave a comment

PROPHET MUHAMMAD IN ISMAILI GINANIC LITERATURE

Supermoon over Toronto, night of March 19, 2011. Photo by Jim Bowie. Copyright.

While the Holy Qur’an describes the Nabi as ‘Bright Lamp’, the Ginans use the symbol of ‘Chandni’ (Moon Light) for the Prophet. Both in the Holy Qur’an and the Ginans, the Prophet is seen as  a Rahemat (Mercy) to mankind.

Please click: Prophet Muhammad is Symbol of Moon-Light, a Mercy to All Nations, and Intercessor

~~~~~~~~

TWO SONGS FOR MILADUN-NABEE

 The songs introduce us to some of the titles by which Prophet Muhammad came to be known and how the first mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Masjeedun-Nabee, was built.

Please click: Two Songs for Miladun-Nabee

~~~~~~~~

EXTERNAL WEBSITE

And a Maulid in Lamu, East Africa, in 2012

….the festivities and events in Lamu lasted for more than a week. Donkey races, dhow races, various cultural activities including the singing of qasidas and a koran memorization contest lent the town a carnival atmosphere, while free medical care and educational workshops represented more serious social aspects of the event.

Please click: Understanding a Diaspora Through Lamu Maulid

Webcasts: Jonathan Lyons, Bernard Lewis and the late Mohammed Arkoun on Islam and the West

16 January 2013

Leave a comment

“ISLAM THROUGH WESTERN EYES” BY JONATHAN LYONS

Jonathan Lyons, who spent twenty years as a foreign correspondent and editor for Reuters, much of it in the Islamic world, addresses the issues of Islam and modernity, Islam and violence, and Islam and women and proposes new ways of thinking about the Western relationship to the Islamic world.

Please click for presentation by Jonathan Lyons. To bypass preliminaries, please fast forward to to the 9:05 minute mark

Please click for presentation by Jonathan Lyons. To bypass preliminaries, please fast forward to the 9:05 minute mark

Please click: Library of Congress – Islam Through Western Eyes
(note: a transcript is also available)

_________________

“WHAT WENT WRONG” BY BERNARD LEWIS AND MOHAMMED ARKOUN

Bernard Lewis of Princeton University and the late Mohammed Arkoun of the Sorbonne University, who was a member of the Board of Governors of the Institute of Ismaili Studies at the time of his death, discuss relations between the Middle East and the Western nations.

Please click on image to view the the presentations by Bernard Lewis and the late Mohammed Arkoun

Please click on image to view the the presentations by Bernard Lewis and the late Mohammed Arkoun

Please click: Library of Congress – What Went Wrong

_____________

See Simerg’s piece: Professor Mohammed Arkoun: A Courageous Intellectual Who Advocated A Tolerant, Liberal and Modern Islam

Exclusive @Simergphotos: The Investiture of Prince Amyn Mohamed Aga Khan as Chief of Ismaili Scouts by Khizar Hayat

12 January 2013

Leave a comment

….Prince Aly Khan passed away on 13th May 1960 in a tragic accident. A loss and a lull was created. In 1965 Mawlana Hazar Imam graced the request as successor of the post, from the Aga Khan Association for Ismaili Scouts, Guides, Band and Orchestras, Karachi. He sent a holy talika to the President of the Ismaili Scouts Association appointing Prince Amyn Mohamed as Ismaili Chief Scout….….Read More

A Scout Greeting….Prince Amyn with Khizar Hayat. Please click for photos and article. Photo Credit: Khizar Hayat Collection, Canada,

Historical Images: The Naad-e-Ali Prayer “Call Upon Ali….Oh Ali, Oh Ali, Oh Ali” in Ottoman Calligraphy @ Simergphotos

7 January 2013

2 Comments

Call Ali call Ali call Ali,
the manifestation of marvels
He will be your helper in difficulty
Every anxiety and sorrow will end
Through your friendship.
O Ali, O Ali, O Ali

Photo Credit: The Trustees of the British Museum. Please click for Naad-e-Ali

Photo Credit: The Trustees of the British Museum. Please click for Naad-e-Ali

PLEASE CLICK: Historical Images: The Naad-e-Ali, “Call Upon Ali….oh Ali, oh Ali, oh Ali,” in Ottoman Calligraphy, and Other Shia Inscriptions in the British Museum’s Islamic Collection

Mohezin Tejani, Brilliant Author, Humanitarian and Global Nomad Dies at 61

3 January 2013

9 Comments

“I’m afraid I have some awful, awful news to share. Our dearest, most beloved Mo passed away today on New Year’s Day, Tuesday, January 1, 2013, at approximately 2.30 a.m. in our home here in Chiang Mai, Thailand” — Lisa S. Keary….Read More

Mohezin Tejani - author and humanitarian

Mohezin Tejani – author and humanitarian

The Blue Qur’an from the Fatimid Period, “A Spiritual Piece” @Simergphotos

2 January 2013

Leave a comment

On Sunday November 25, 2012, Simergphotos began a series of historical illustrations that underline an artistic, ethical, moral, religious or scientific theme. The latest piece is on the exquisite Blue Qur’an which has been referred to as “the Picasso of Islamic Art.” More….

A folio of the Fatimid Blue Qur'an which was recently exhibited at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Please click for more images and text

A folio of the Fatimid Blue Qur’an which was recently on display at an exhibition on Islamic art at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Please click for more images and text

“Crystal Clear” – A New Year Observation by Navyn Naran

1 January 2013

2 Comments

here’s to crystal magic, clink!
and starlight.
shimmering
cool and clearest,
p e a c e
in the vacuum of purple night
of unseen and
unheard
a magic so hidden
you scarce believe in its reality..
for they say, it is the most real thing there is.

look!
light of all light
shimmering ….
impenetrable,
but yes, conscionable.

clinking glass and platefuls..
musically cheery and
mirrors, mirrors,
reflecting glamour and light
what a happy night!
faces  are smiling, lips moving, masterful chatter
practising attitudes.
beautiful shimmers, radiant!
glitter and glory
oh, happy night and new year!

there are  sparkles of crystal and bangles
rushes of laughter and giggles
all in tonight…thank you God for this another moment,
thank YOU.
what we have learnt and gained this year,
are Blessings beyond truths.
who have we hurt and cared for?
been hurt by and healed from?
only children make it real delight,
a time of play and being,
a reality of truth

ah yes, a respectable consort you are indeed.
how beautifully perfect.
behind festivities and food and dance and happiness
grateful for the safety and health of your space.
and the world crumbles on

hurting exposures, crying and deceit
lies and lip service
a rich, heavy deep velvet
fertile for an inner fortitude ..
here’s to a very happy new year
in these mirrors of charm.
and he rewards you for your heights and emblems,
‘ there are those i see with my eyes and
there are those i feel with my heart’.
which one am i?
which? in the limelight?
in the mirror perhaps?
flight…
in the crystal shimmers
there’s a seen.
and in magic, we are told,
and perhaps we pray,
and maybe we can really try to believe..
a practice of faith,
in action, yes, perhaps there IS

the  unseen.

~~~~

Navyn Naran

Navyn Naran

About the author: Navyn Naran was born in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, to Anaar and Badrudin Naran. After beginning her high school in the UK, her family immigrated to the USA where she has lived since. Navyn went to medical school at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA. Dr Naran, has a subspecialty in Paediatric Critical Care.

Mo Tejani, An Ismaili Essayist of Distinction at Simerg

29 December 2012

3 Comments

There is one writer Simerg would like to single out just before 2012 ends, and the person is Mohezin (Mo) Tejani for his thought-provoking contributions both in prose and poetry. Tejani, a global nomad who has lived and worked in humanitarian aid in five continents of our planet, writes with insight and brilliance on many themes and topics including nature, social issues and travel narratives.

"Ute Visions" - a great piece by essayist Mo Tejani. Please see links on this page

“Ute Visions” – a great piece by essayist Mo Tejani. Please see links on this page

The award-winning author’s latest piece is based on Shakespeare’s The Seven Ages of Man and looks at the life of an Indian, African, and American in 2012 in contrast to Shakespeare’s man of 1538. An earlier piece was dedicated to Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan for Simerg’s special series, “Thanking Ismaili Historical Figures”, which portrayed the late Prince’s life-long contributions with warmth and affection.

Please click for "Inca Gods" by Mohezin Tejani

One of the many superb pieces by Tejani on this website. See links on this page.

We invite our readers around the globe to get to know Tejani  through the following  fine pieces which Simerg was proud to publish in 2012 (and earlier):

2012:

“The Seven Ages of Man Redux”
Thank You Letter to Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan – “A Man of Multiple Visions”
“New Hampshire Twilight” and “Iguazu”

~~~~~

A thank you letter to Prince Sadruddin, an affectionate portrayal by Mo Tejani. See links on this page for Tejani's fine contribution.

A thank you letter to Prince Sadruddin, an affectionate portrayal by Mo Tejani. See links on this page for Tejani’s fine contributions.

More 2012…

Ute Visions
Inca Gods
A Nature Poem
Exploring Belgium: The Modern and the Medieval

_________

Pre-2012:

A nature piece by Tejani which appeared in 2011. Please see links on this page for Tejani's great essays.

A nature piece by Tejani which appeared in 2011. Please see links on this page for Tejani’s great essays.

A Letter to Charles Darwin from Galapagos
Singida
Childhood Games

Simerg’s Most Popular Articles Published in 2012: Did You Miss Them?

28 December 2012

Leave a comment

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO SIMERG READERS WORLDWIDE

Editor’s note: From over one hundred articles published in 2012, the following pieces were the most viewed by our readers, based on statistics derived from the WordPress platform. Excluded from the list are readings that appeared earlier this week in the post Holiday Reading: 9 Inspiring Ismaili Stories That You SHOULD Read and SHARE with Your Family and Friends.

THE “11” LIST

As seen on NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day and the National Geographic News a meteor's streak and the arc of the Milky Way hang over the imposing mountain fortress of Alamut in this starry scene. Photo: Babak Tafreshi/Dreamview.net . Copyright.

As seen on NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day and the National Geographic News a meteor’s streak and the arc of the Milky Way hang over the imposing mountain fortress of Alamut in this starry scene. Photo: Babak Tafreshi/Dreamview.net . Copyright. See link 7 below.

1. Bagamoyo’s Historic Ismaili Jamatkhana Through Pictures, Poetry and Prose by Shariffa Keshavjee (Kenya)

2. 1953-1957: Ismailia Social and Residential Club and Jamatkhana at 51 Kensington Court, London W8 by Ameer Janmohamed (UK)

3. Photo Essay: Iran Through a Canadian Lens by Muslim and Nevin Harji (Canada)

4. Honorary Degrees Conferred on His Highness the Aga Khan since 1967: A Pictorial Record with Citations, Tributes and Remarks by Azeem Maherali, USA

A young Ismaili girl in the grass-fields in the Wakhan corridor on the Tajikistan side. Photo: Olivier Galibert. Copyright. See Link 10 (+1)

A young Ismaili girl in the grass-fields in the Wakhan corridor on the Tajikistan side. Photo: Olivier Galibert. Copyright. See links in 11

5. A Brief Note on Master Khimani’s Service to the South African Jamat, and Historical Photos from His Family Archives Introduced by Abdulmalik J. Merchant (Canada)

6. Dubai’s Jewel: The Ismaili Community’s Congregational Space by Muslim and Nevin Harji (Canada). Published in Simerg’s special series, THE JAMATKHANA

7. Starry Night at Alamut, The Milky Way Across Alamut; The Earth from Space Introduced by Malik Merchant (Canada)

8. Thank You Letter to Pir Sabzali and the Ismaili Pirs of the Ginanic Tradition by Ameer Janmohamed (UK)

Ismaili Centre, Dubai. The patterns, fountains and flower beds draw upon various traditions from across the Islamic world. The building is crowned by a magnificent Ibn Tulun Mosque-like dome. Photo: Muslim Harji, Montreal, PQ. Copyright. See link 6.

Ismaili Centre, Dubai. The patterns, fountains and flower beds draw upon various traditions from across the Islamic world. The building is crowned by a magnificent Ibn Tulun Mosque-like dome. Photo: Muslim Harji, Montreal, PQ. Copyright. See link 6.

9. 51 Kensington Court, and a Memorable Function Hosted by His Highness the Aga Khan III at London’s Savoy by A. M. Rajput (UK)

10.  Thank You Letter to the School of Isma‘ili Philosophers by Khalil Andani (Canada). Published in Simerg’s special series, THANKING ISMAILI HISTORICAL FIGURES

11. Ismaili Portraits from Tajikistan by Olivier Galibert (France) and Photo  Gallery: Ismaili Portraits From Tajikistan by A. M. Rajput (UK)

______________

Readers can browse the complete list of great articles published at Simerg.com by clicking What’s New. We also invite you to visit our companion photoblog www.simergphotos.com for informative photo essays as well as superb photographs and illustrations.

_______________