Simerg is an independent initiative dedicated to Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan — their Hereditary Imam — and the Ismaili Imamat, and Islam in general through literary readings, photo essays and artistic expressions
Kananaskis Country is my second home; so thrilling and beautiful that I like to escape to it frequently. I love the beautiful nature, the mountains and the wildlife. I also love being a spectator — to watch others enjoy in activities that give them thrill and excitement and makes others say “WOW”. My latest outing was to Canoe Meadows and Widow Maker Trail by the Kananaskis River. Here are my photographs and videos from a spectacular day. I have seen more wildlife here than in any other provincial or national park in Alberta. Please click KANANASKIS or on the photo below. I strongly urge you to visit this beautiful part of Canada!
Please click on image for spectacular videos and photographs.
Toronto’s Shafin Valla was at the Ismaili Centre Toronto at dawn to capture photographs of Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s exhibition The Living Sea — Fragile Beauty, while Montreal’s Muslim Harji presents his exclusive photographs from a recent trip to Cairo. Here are the links to their insights and photographs:
On April 3, 2023, Canada Post issued a special stamp to commemorate two Muslim Eid Festivals: The Eid al-Fitr which was celebrated on April 21 at the completion of the month of Ramadhan and the upcoming Eid al-Adha which will be held between June 26 to July 1 to mark the Festival of Sacrifice that is held at the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
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Front (at right) and back of booklet of Eid stamps issued by Canada Post on April 3, 2023 to commemorate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Booklet size, opened as shown above, appx. 190 cms x 105 cms. Please click on image for enlargement.
In our special post announcing the Eid stamps, we had recommended to our readers that they should obtain the stamp from postal outlets in drug stores such as Shoppers Drug, at actual Canada Post offices or order them on-line. As I soon found out, in Calgary as well as during my visit to Toronto, none of the retail postal outlets or post offices that I visited sold the stamp separately or even stocked the booklets of 6 stamps (each booklet is priced at $5.52). I placed an on-line order for 6 booklets that arrived by mail within a couple of days. Any order that amounts to $25.00 or more is shipped free within Canada, with tracking.
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Eid stamps as presented by Canada Post in special booklet issued on April 3, 2023. The stamps can be detached from the booklet and used to mail letters. Booklet size, opened as shown above, appx. 190 cms x 105 cms. Please click on image for enlargement.
The six stamps inside the booklet can be used to cover the cost of standard letter shipping within Canada — it may be noted that the stamp is of permanent value which means that even if the cost of mailing a 1st class standard letter (less than 30 gms) within Canada goes up, you can use the stamp without having to pay extra. The stamps will be a pleasant surprise to recipients of your letters at home as well as abroad, a great item for collectors of Islamic stamps, a personal keepsake or to give it as a gift that will be appreciated and cherished for years.
I am delighted to present the outside and inside images of the stamp booklet. You may order the booklet(s) by clicking on Purchase Eid Stamps at Canada Post. Remember postage is free for orders $25.00 and higher — and you may combine the booklet orders with purchases of other items available on-line. For single or multiple booklet purchases totalling less than $25.00, there is a shipping charge of $4.99 (all prices quoted in CAD $.)
Date posted: June 10, 2023. Last updated: June 11, 2023 (added note on shipping charge.)
[Simerg is delighted to present a selection of beautiful paintings by Houston based Ismaili Muslim artist Parviz Dhanani. She becomes the third sister from the Jamani family to be portrayed on this website, following our earlier pieces on Mobina Marani of Crystal Beach, Ontario, and Nabat Pirani of Vancouver, British Columbia. We welcome Parviz, and invite Ismaili artists from around the world to introduce themselves by submitting clear images of some 6-8 paintings in JPG format along with their profiles to the editor Malik at mmerchant@simerg.com. This post reflects how artists are introduced in Simerg — Ed.]
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Paintings by Parviz Dhanani
Beauty of the Divine, 11″ x 14″. This work was exhibited at the U.S. National Jubilee Arts Festival in Los Angeles during the Diamond Jubilee of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan. Painting by Perviz Dhanani, Houston, Texas.
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Deeer in the Forest. Oil, 20″ x 16″. Painting by Parviz Dhanani, Houston, Texas.
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Fir Tree and Mountain. Oil, 12″ x 16″. Painting by Parviz Dhanani, Houston, Texas.
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Watching the Waves. Oil, 36″ x 26″ Painting by Parviz Dhanani, Houston, Texas.
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Unknown Man. Oil, 16″ x 20″. Painting by Parviz Dhanani, Houston, Texas.
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Clown. Oil, 12″ x 24″. Painting by Parviz Dhanani, Houston, Texas.
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A Pleasant Walk. Oil, 8″ x 6″. Painting by Perviz Dhanani, Houston, Texas.
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Flock on a Walk. Oil, 20″ x 16″. Painting by Parviz Dhanani, Houston, Texas.
Date posted: June 4, 2023.
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Parviz Dhanani of Houston Texas.
Originally from Kampala, Uganda, Parviz Dhanani completed her secondary schooling in Bath, England, earning a law degree (LL.B with honors) from London University. She later pursued graduate business studies in M.I.S. and Finance earning an M.B.A. from the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, Texas. With only a few private lessons from a kindly senior citizen, Parviz was always attracted to oil painting as a hobby. She also creates various three dimensional works ranging from ceramics to shadow boxes. Art was always a relaxing respite from hectic studying days or managing family and medical practice matters with her physician husband, Zul. They have two sons and two grandsons and settled in Houston. During the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee festivities, Parviz’s painting “Beauty of the Divine” (shown above) was selected for exhibition at the U.S. National Jubilee Arts Festival in Los Angeles. Parviz is thankful for such opportunities and appreciates the worldwide platform provided by Simerg. She feels it is important to exhibit different artistic talents and perspectives from around the world.
Parviz Dhanani has two artistic sisters whose art works have been published on Simerg. Please view them by clicking on Mobina Marani and Nabat Pirani.
The editor invites Ismaili artists to submit a selection of their paintings and other works of art for publication in Simerg. Please submit clear images of no more than 8 objects in Jpeg (1200 x 900) along with your profile to the editor Malik, at mmerchant@simerg.com.
On September 17, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 1 as the Global Day of Parents to be observed annually, honouring parents throughout the world. On May 27, 2023, the entire Merchant family remembered their loving dad and grandfather, Jehangir, on the 5th anniversary of his death.
Alwaez Jehangir (d. May 2018) and Alwaeza Maleksultan “Mrs. Merchant” (d. January 2021).
I was personally by his side in 2018 when he left this world peacefully to return to his original abode. Of course, we also remembered our mum. She passed away on January 21, 2021. Were she alive today, the family would be celebrating her 92nd birthday a week from today, on June 9th.
I became aware of the Global Day of Parents late into the night of Thursday June, 1, through a tribute — along with a picture — that the United Nations Secretary General General, António Guterres, paid to his late parents in LinkedIn. He wrote:
“This Global Day of Parents I think of my mother Ilda and my father Virgílio. I will always cherish their nurture, encouragement and unconditional love. I am grateful for them and all parents worldwide committed to raising their children in a peaceful and healthy world.” Inspiring words, indeed.
While June 1 is Global Parents Day, we must be mindful that parents need care and support regularly. Many of us have lost one or both our parents, while others have both parents alive, some in good health and others facing extraordinary challenges. They depend on their children, the spouses of their children as well as grandchildren to provide them with comfort and companionship as they age.
Islam places a particular emphasis on devotion and being good to parents, as shown by the following verses in the Qur’an:
“Serve God, and associate naught with Him. Be kind to parents, and the near kinsman” — 4:36.
“Thy Lord has decreed you shall not serve any but Him, and to be good to parents, whether one or both of them attains old age with thee; say not to them ‘Fie’ neither chide them, but speak unto them words respectful, and lower to them the wing of humbleness out of mercy and say; ‘My Lord, have mercy upon them, as they raised me up when I was little.“ — Quran, 17:23-24.
“(And We have charged man concerning his parents — his mother bore him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning was in two years — ‘Be thankful to Me, and to thy parents; to Me is the homecoming.” — 31:14.
‘You shall not serve any save God; and to be good to parents, and the near kinsman, and to orphans, and to the needy — 2:83.
“They will question thee concerning what they should expend. Say: ‘Whatsoever good you expend is for parents and kinsmen, orphans, the needy, and the traveller; and whatever good you may do, God has knowledge of it” — 2:215.
“Our Lord, forgive Thou me and my parents, and the believers, upon the day when the reckoning shall come to pass.” — 14:41.
“Lower to them the wings of humility out of compassion” — 17: 24.
“O John, take the Book forcefully; and We gave him judgment, yet a little child, and a tenderness from Us, and purity; and he was godfearing, and cherishing his parents, not arrogant, rebellious.” — 19:12-14.
“Give them company in the worldly affairs with appropriate courtesy and kindness” — 31:15.
These are beautiful verses for us to keep in mind. In this regard, mutual support between spouses for the care of both their parents is critical for family unity and harmony; it will ensure barakah (happiness) in both the worlds and give us peace of mind in our daily lives.
Date posted: June 2, 2023. Last updated: June 3, 2023 (added Qur’anic verse 17-24.)
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English translations of Qur’anic verses quoted above by A. J. Arberry. Please visit Corpus Qur’an for upto 7 different translations of every verse in the Qur’an.
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.
Originally from Mumbai, India, I have long been an artist and am currently pursuing a graduate program in Printmaking at the University of Iowa through an Iowa Arts Fellowship. My recent visit to Toronto happily coincided with the presentation by Prince Hussain Aga Khan of his exhibition The Living Sea: Fragile Beauty at the Aga Khan Museum. I then spent a considerable amount of time viewing the exhibition in the Ismaili Centre Toronto’s social hall and patio. I left the two events feeling inspired and motivated to do whatever I can to assist Prince Hussain in his goals of educating us and raising our awareness about the disturbing state of the oceans and its sea creatures.
Al-Qawi Nanavati, a graduate student pursuing Printmaking at the University of Iowa pictured at Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s exhibition The Living Sea — Fragile Beauty, at the Ismaili Centre Toronto; May 22, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
The two images shown below captured my attention the most after hearing Prince Hussain speak about his passions and purpose behind the show. The images are mounted on a large panel in the patio of the Ismaili Centre. Titled Plastic Bag and Plastic Waste, they were taken in two different parts of the world, the Philippines and Sardinia, 3 years apart. I thought a lot about these two photographs long after I left the show. They were extremely poignant and show us a mirror into what we are doing to our planet.
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Two photographs captured by Prince Hussain Aga Khan of plastic bags in the ocean (top the Philippines, bottom Sardinia) that alarmed Al-Qawi Nanavati when she visited his exhibition The Living Sea — Fragile Beauty at the Ismaili Centre Toronto; May 22, 2023. Photograph: Al-Qawi Nanavati/Simerg.
Prince Hussain has caption notes accompanying the two photographs. For the first photo, taken in May 2017 in the Philippines, the Prince writes: “This was the most depressing thing I’ve ever witnessed.”
For the bottom photo, taken in August 2020 in Sardinia, Prince Hussain laments: “Unfortunately few, if any, effective solutions exist to rid our oceans of this ongoing problem. Most would be difficult to bring to scale. As long as mankind isn’t ready to give up plastic or capable of producing reliable alternatives, our marine environment (and others!) will suffer.”
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The image of a snared dolphin that sunk my heart
By DR. NURIN MERCHANT
The photograph by Prince Hussain Aga Khan of two dolphins swimming side by side had the greatest impact on me when I visited his exhibition The Living Sea — Fragile Beauty at the Ismaili Centre Toronto.
My eyes were immediately drawn to one of the dolphin’s tails, which had a black rope (presumably from fishing equipment) tightly ensnared around it. The rope had been cinched so tight over time that it was now embedded in the dolphin’s skin. My heart sank — such an intelligent yet helpless creature experiencing so much pain and suffering due to mankind’s irresponsibility with its creation.
I would like for the readers to think about something we can all relate to for a moment — pretend that one day you are walking barefoot on a beach, somewhat far from home. Suddenly, OUCH! You feel a sharp pain, and notice that you have accidentally stepped on a piece of glass that has become deeply embedded in the sole of your foot. Somehow, no matter how hard you try, you cannot remove the glass. No one is around to help you, so you are forced to walk all the way home; each step is a painful burden as the glass digs in, deeper and deeper. A few hours later you reach home, fetch a pair of tweezers, and thankfully succeed in removing the shard.
Habituated bottlenose dolphins taken by Prince Hussain Aga Khan at a site known as Dolphin Reef near Hurghada, Egypt, November 2020. Note the rope attached and digging deep into the second dolphin’s tail — impossible for a simple diver to remove. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg
This dolphin has no one to help it. In the scenario you just imagined, just like we use our feet to propel us forward, the dolphin uses its tail. Unlike the scenario though, this dolphin has likely been living with this injury for months, not hours. And one day, it is very probable that he or she will die from this injury.
This photograph highlights the damage that we continue to inflict upon nature and juxtaposes it with nature’s strong will and resiliency. I see it every day in my career as a veterinarian — animals are far more resilient and perseverant than humans, but this is because they have no choice but to survive, but to persevere.
We must be their voice. And we must always remember: nature’s resiliency cannot compete with our destruction. One day, just as this dolphin — an animal recognized by many scientists as a non-human person due to their high level of intelligence and ability to be self-aware — will succumb to its injuries, so will our ecosystems and the species who call it home (ourselves included).
Each and every one of us has a duty to protect, preserve, and conserve Nature and our home, Planet Earth. Without it, there is no us.
Date posted: May 28, 2023. Last updated: June 01, 2023 (reformatting.)
Both the Glenbow at the Edison in Calgary and the Ismaili Centre Toronto venues of Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s exhibition The Living Sea — Fragile Beauty have provided me with ample opportunities to meet people of all ages to hear what they think about the exhibition in general and which specific photographs, if they had to pick only one, impressed them the most. I am delighted to present a selection of video and audio recordings of the beautiful voices I have heard in the last few days.
Sophia Suleman — listen to her audio below — picked “Pilot whales swimming through the light” as her favourite image in Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s exhibition The Living Sea – Fragile Beauty that is on display at the Ismaili Centre Toronto until June 4, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
(2) SOPHIA SULEMAN, Ismaili Centre Toronto
(3) ADRIENNE, Ismaili Centre Toronto
More audios below
Visitors at Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s exhibition The Living Sea — Fragile Beauty at the Ismaili Centre Toronto; May 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg
(4) ADEN WALJI SAYED, Ismaili Centre Toronto
(5) ADYAN MOMAN, Ismaili Centre Toronto
More audios below
Visitors at Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s exhibition The Living Sea — Fragile Beauty at the Ismaili Centre Toronto; May 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg
(6) SALMA and TAJ JADAVJI, Glenbow at The Edison (Calgary)
Adam Walji Sayed — listen to his audio below — picked “Marine Iguanas” as his favourite image in Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s exhibition The Living Sea – Fragile Beauty that is on display at the Ismaili Centre Toronto until June 4, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
(7) ADAM WALJI SAYED, Ismaili Centre Toronto
(8) IRIAN, Ismaili Centre Toronto
(9) KHALIL NAZARALI
Young Ismaili volunteers and friends at Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s exhibition The Living Sea — Fragile Beauty at the Ismaili Centre Toronto; May 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg
Date posted: May 27, 2023. Last updated: May 29, 2023 (typos and restore missing audios.)
Please visit our sister website Barakah for our exclusive reports and photographs of Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s presentations in Calgary and Toronto.
“The Wrong Bashir found the right audience on opening night if gales of laughter are any indication. From the curtain opener to the surprise at curtain fall, the sold-out crowd at the Firehall had a grand time. The Wrong Bashir is going to be a big hit; for some, it will be a laugh-yourself-silly evening” — Jo Ledingham, Vancouver Theatre Review
Following a fully sold-out run and critical acclaim for the Vancouver world premiere, Crow’s Theatre has announced the Toronto premiere of the new Ismaili comedy, The Wrong Bashir. The play will open in Toronto next year on May 21st 2024 and run until June 9th, 2024.
The play was met with enthusiastic full-houses and positive reviews in Vancouver — leading the prestigious Toronto theatre to pick up the new play as part of its bold, ambitious and imaginative 2023-2024 season.
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The full cast of The Wrong Bashir take the stage in Vancouver. Photograph: Matt Reznek
Last week, Crow’s Theatre issued a special call for Ismaili actors to audition. They are seeking Ismaili actors for roles of many different ages and types. The full casting call link is available HERE.
For some of the roles (Nani, Nana, Gulzar) varying levels (and less experience in acting) is welcome. For the roles of Al-Nashir, Mansour, Bashir, and Nafisa, acting experience is required.
As exemplified by initiatives such as Jubilee Arts, there is hidden artistic talent in the community, and the theatre welcomes Ismailis interested to audition. Auditions began in April and the directors hope to wrap up in the next few weeks, so interested applicants are encouraged to submit as soon as possible. To submit, send a resume and headshot in one attachment to Director Paolo Santalucia (paolo@crowstheatre.com). Questions can be directed to thewrongbashirplay@gmail.com, and full information on how to submit is available at thisLINK.
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Shera Haji, Leena Manro, and Aman Mann in the Vancouver production of The Wrong Bashir. Photograph: Matt Reznek.
Hussein Janmohamed, Parm Soor, and Aman Mann were among the stars in Vancouver’s rendition of The Wrong Bashir, which received a world premiere in BC in March 2023. Photograph: Matt Reznek.
The Play
The Wrong Bashir is Burnaby-born Ismaili playwright Zahida Rahemtulla’s debut play. It follows Bashir Ladha, a young philosophy major who has drifted from his Ismaili roots. Bashir’s parents receive a call that their wayward son has been selected as Student’s Mukhisaheb (congregational leader in Ismaili Jamatkhana), and they dutifully accept on his behalf. Before Bashir has a chance to argue, two official committee representatives arrive at the Ladha household.
As the two representatives slowly begin to realise a possible mistake in selection, the doorbell rings and Bashir’s excited grandparents and family friend make a surprise visit, having caught wind of the news in their Jamatkhana. The fun begins and much hilarity ensues as everyone struggles to keep up a farce. Reflections about tradition, the second-generation, and community are all brought to life in this heartfelt comedy, which also affectionately brings to life much of the humour that exists within Ismaili communities.
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Playwright Zahida Rahemtulla and Director Paolo Santalucia
Zahida Rahemtulla, playwright of The Wrong Bashir.
Zahida Rahemtulla is a playwright and short story writer. Her debut play, The Wrong Bashir, premiered with Touchstone Theatre in Vancouver and was recently picked up for Toronto premiere with Crow’s Theatre, which has been a leading force in new play creation in the Canadian theatre landscape. Zahida currently facilitates Parragon Theatre’s East of Tarragon Project in Scarborough and is passionate about education and working on new plays and with new playwrights.
Paolo Santalucia, director of The Wrong Bashir.
Paolo Santalucia is an award-winning actor, director and writer. He is a graduate of the Soulpepper Academy, and has been a member of Soulpepper’s ensemble for the past ten seasons. Paolo is a co-founder and Artistic Leader of the award-winning Howland Company. Paolo also teaches classical performance with the University of Toronto’s Theatre and Drama Studies Program, and is the recipient of two Dora Mavor Moore Awards in acting, one nomination for direction, and has been shortlisted for the John Hirsch Award for Directing.
At Calgary’s Ismaili Headquarters Jamatkhana this morning, May 14th, 2023, attending members gathered in the social hall after prayers to celebrate a birthday with a cake. Spread across the “chai” and “mandazi” table were beautiful fresh rose stems. All mothers received a rose each, followed by inspiring prayers as well as tributes to mothers around the world from the Mukhi and Kamadiasahebs (leaders of the congregation.) It was absolutely refreshing to see beautiful smiles on the faces of all the mothers of all ages that early in the morning. But it was MOTHER’S DAY!
Sea Lions by Prince Hussain Aga Khan at The Living Sea – Fragile Beauty exhibition, Calgary, May 11-21, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
Hours earlier, before leaving home, I had sent individual Mother’s Day wishes to special friends I have known for many years. In response, one of them sweetly replied with fond prayers for my health and added the 4 letters HUGS!
At this, my thought immediately turned to a photograph taken by Prince Hussain Aga Khan in August 2018 in La Paz, Mexico. A small print as well as a much larger print of the photo appears at his Living Sea exhibition in Calgary that opened to large crowds on Thursday, May 11 — the stunning photographic exhibition continues at Glenbow at the Edison until May 21, and the entrance is free. The photograph is entitled “Moving Mummy Hug” and it is of a sea lion swimming with its baby, hugging it momentarily. The absolutely amazing photograph has touched the hearts of everyone who has seen it and one visitor said to me in a short interview for my first day’sreport: “Prince Hussain captures moments with these animals that shows that they have this almost human characteristic — this love, this energy that really helps people relate to them and really feel for them…. He almost photographs them as if they are members of his own family…. It’s really a neat feeling that you have when you look at these, and I think of my own children and I think of these animals with their own calves, and its just unbelievable.”
“Moving Mummy Hug,” captured by Prince Hussain Aga Khan in La Paz, Mexico, August 2018. Exhibited at The Living Sea – Fragile Beauty, Calgary, May 11-21, 2023. Exhibit photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
So, I say to everyone visiting today and for the remainder of the duration of the exhibition, view this photograph and others from close, from a distance and from different angles. Prince Hussain notes in the photograph’s caption, “There were about 8 sea lions in that location, all moving at different speeds and in different directions. But this duo seemed organized and even purposeful. The hug lasted seconds or less. It was completely unexpected.”
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers around the world and to all specials friends who are mothers!
Simerg - Insights from Around the World 