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
During my stay in Toronto between 2018-2021, the Aga Khan Park became my primary getaway place as it was so close from where I lived. The spring, summer and autumns months were particularly exciting as the park attracted lots of wildlife (see our stunning photo essays on The Hawk and The Birth of Goslings.) The sage and lavender plants in front of the Kaaba facing niche of the Ismaili Jamatkhana building attracted bees for pollination during the warm and sunny summer days. My daughter Nurin, on one of her visits to Toronto, captured some magnificent photographs of the bees. After relocating to Alberta, I read that the province produces nearly 40 million pounds of honey each year making it the fifth largest honey producing region in the world. There are 1,400 beekeepers in Alberta, managing over 300,000 bee colonies. Of course, the vast amount of honey produced is made possible by the alfalfa and clover nectar that is plentiful in the province.
Amazingly, of the 114 chapters or suras in the Qur’an, several are named after animals and insects. Examples are: Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2, The Calf, The Cow), Al-Anam (6, The Cattle), An-Nahl (16, The Bees), An-Naml (27, The Ant), An-Ankabut (26, The Spider), and Al-Feel (105, The Elephant). Many other chapters are named after objects or events in nature and the universe, including The Daybreak, The Earthquake, The Fig Tree, The Bright Morning Hours, The Night, The Sun, The Constellations, The Moon and so on.
Over time, we will endeavour to highlight the verses in the Qur’an that speak of God’s bountiful creation but we begin with the Bees and the Ants. These two insects are regarded as industrious, and they are also disciplined. They work together to support their colonies.
God speaks of The Bees in the following verses from chapter 16:
“And thy Lord revealed unto the bees, saying: ‘Take unto yourselves, of the mountains, houses, and of the trees, and of what they are building. Then eat of all manner of fruit, and follow the ways of your Lord easy to go upon.’
“Then comes there forth out of their bellies a drink of diverse hues wherein is healing for men. Surely in that is a sign for a people who reflect” — Quran, 16:68-69 (translation by A. J. Arberry, see Corpus Qur’an.)
In these verses, mankind is told about the healing power found in the different coloured honey made by the hard-working bees. The teamwork and level of organisation that goes into its production — because a single bee can’t make honey on its own — should serve us as an example on the importance of working and living together in the spirit of one-humanity.
The bees are venerated for their diligence and sacrifices. The importance that Islam holds for the insect is mentioned again in the following hadith (tradition) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family):
“By the one in whose hand my soul is, the believer is like a bee which eats that is pure and wholesome and lays that which is pure and wholesome. When it lands on something, it doesn’t break or ruin it.”
Although chapter 27 in the Qur’an is called “The Ant”, there is only one verse that specifically mentions the hard-working ant. It is part of the story of Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon), who was gifted with the ability to speak and understand the language of animals, birds and insects.
The Qur’an tells of his encounter with the smallest of creatures as follows:
“….When they [Soloman’s army] came on the Valley of Ants, an ant said, ‘Ants, enter your dwelling-places, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you, being unaware!’
“But he smiled, laughing at its words, and he said, ‘My Lord, dispose me that I may be thankful for Thy blessing wherewith Thou hast blessed me and my father and mother, and that I may do righteousness well-pleasing to Thee; and do Thou admit me, by Thy mercy, amongst Thy righteous servants’.” — Qur’an, 27:18-19 (translation by A. J. Arberry, see Corpus Qur’an.)
The Prophet couldn’t hold back a smile as he heard the ant talk, and he thanked God for the many favours bestowed upon him, including his ability to understand and avoid trampling over the homes of the ants.
These verses and stories illustrate the importance Islam places on all God created life forms.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un “Surely we belong to God and to Him we return” — Holy Qur’an, 2:156
“Life is a great and noble calling, not a mean and grovelling thing to be shuffled through as best as we can but a lofty and exalted destiny” — Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III (1877-1957), 48th Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing on August 5, 2023, of the well-known Ismaili musician and composer Enoo in Orlando, Florida, at the age of 67, just days before his 68th birthday on August 11 — he was born in 1955. His funeral and burial ceremonies were held in Orlando on Wednesday, August 8.
Enoo is survived by his son Shehzad Ali, brothers Mushtaq and Ishtiaq and sister Rezia.
Some 8 years ago in 2015, Enoo had penned a loving tribute to his father Mohammed Ibrahim Ali who had passed away in Dallas, Texas, on March 15, 2014, at the age of 88. Eight years later, in 2022, Enoo lost his mother, Roshan Ibrahim Ali.
Shortly after his mother’s death, Enoo sent me the following message:
“I was closest at bedside when she breathed her final and I recited in her ear the Kalima, Salwaat, Ya Allah, Ya Muhammad, Ya Ali and Ya Shah Karim. As per everyone who was around her, my dearest mom was waiting for me and yes with Mawla Hazar Imam’s blessings I made it to her bedside. It was a miraculous day.”
Enoo had often expressed the wish to pen a tribute to his mother, just as he had done for his father.
Alas, and very sadly, Enoo was diagnosed with a terminal illness and was informed that he had a few months left to live. He spent the last days of his life as a patient in hospice and hospital care. He absorbed the news with courage. In a number of profound telephone conversations with me, he shared the challenges that he faced as he was coping with his illness that appeared so suddenly in his life.
Enoo pictured singing a rendition of the timeless Ismaili Ginan Sahebji Tu More Man Bhave composed by Ismaili missionary Syed Imam Shah many centuries ago. In the Ginan, the Syed expresses his deep love, faith and trust in the Imam-of-the-Time; the popular Ginan is recited by Ismailis of all ages with deep devotion and happiness. Photograph: Clipped from Enoo’s video of the Ginan’s rendition.
In one of the last conversations with him, when he called me from his hospital bed, he told me he was unafraid of death. As an Ismaili Muslim, he expressed his immense love for his 49th Imam, Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, and said that the music that he had composed in his honour had sustained and inspired him at this extremely difficult period in his life. While he was talking to me, a nurse entered his room and interrupted our conversation. She signalled to him that the latest tests that the hospital had carried out did not look good at all.
Enoo communicated the nurse’s message to me and said that death was inevitable and not far away. In the midst of all this news, he told me his spirits remained high and that he followed the precepts of the Imam-of-the-Time, that each day was a day that must be lived and that during that day we should fulfill our responsibilities to the best of our ability (Mumbai, India,1973). He lived up to Mawlana Hazar Imam’s expectations until the last day of his life, meeting his struggles with joy and hope. He took a firm attitude toward coping with his suffering and did not become despondent.
For the last few weeks, I have been waiting to hear about Enoo’s latest status. He had told me that I would learn about his death “from someone”. On the evening of August 5, as I returned to my car after celebrating my 70th birthday, I received a text informing me that Enoo had passed away the same morning. Having already been informed in advance by Enoo about the inevitable, the news did not come as a shock to me. My thoughts immediately turned to Enoo’s special place in the life hereafter of happiness and peace, in the presence of Divine Light. The Qur’anic verse Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (Surely we belong to God and to Him we return), is the oft-remembered verse by Muslims on sad moments such as someone’s death.
Enoo was a musician all his life. Inspired by the voice of his mother, Roshan, Enoo’s passion for music manifested when he was still a young boy in Chennai, India. After moving to Pakistan at the age of 14, he began to cultivate a spiritual way of life, tightly interwoven with music. As a result of the steady musical influence, Enoo received awards for playing the harmonium and became a well-known artist at Radio Pakistan.
Ismaili musician and artist, Enoo (August 11, 1954 – August 5, 2023). Photograph: Enoo archives.
Over the years, Enoo built himself a great reputation as a composer and musician, and performed around the world at important events and worked with radio and TV stations as well as the film industry. After settling in the USA in the 1980’s, first in Chicago before he made Orlando his home, Enoo continued to thrive and perform with a unique blend of jazz. He commemorated the Golden Jubilee of Mawlana Hazar Imam with a special CD. Shorty after the Golden Jubilee, The Ismaili, the official website of the Ismaili community, wrote a special piece about Ismaili musicians that also featured Enoo.
In his last weeks of his life, he sent me a number of emails that he said I should share with readers when I penned a tribute to him. On July 1, 2023, shortly after being seen by an oncologist, he wrote: “Only GOD knows but medically I have 3 weeks to most 3 months or less!” Very graciously, and I was truly touched, he wrote in the same email that he enjoyed reading my photo pieces about my adventure trips in Alberta. He also urged me to look after my health, knowing that my own health had been compromised by a serious autoimmune condition.
A week later on July 7, he said briefly in his email: “Seems very soon, Allah ki marzi” (as is God’s wish.) He then passed away a month later on August 5, 2023.
We ask all all readers to join us in our heartful prayer for Enoo that his soul may rest in eternal peace. Ameen. We convey our condolences to Enoo’s beloved family members and friends around the world and share in their sadness at this difficult time of bereavement.
Date posted: August 11, 2023.
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We invite you to submit your condolences and tributes to Enoo in the comments by clicking on LEAVE A COMMENT.
Simerg: What is behind the naming of the title of the book?
Mansoor Ladha: Off the Cuff basically means spontaneous, informal, or not prepared in advance. The book contains a collection of my selected editorial columns published in leading Canadian newspapers over several years, including Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal, Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun, Red Deer Advocate, Medicine Hat News etc.
Some essays, for example, discuss such issues as Not all Muslims Are Terrorists, An Open Letter to President Trump, Aga Khan: King without a Kingdom, as well as other interesting and some provocative subjects. Two of my favourite columns, which had a lot of feedback from readers, are an open letter to President Trump chastising him for calling immigrants “shitholes” and ignoring their contribution in the U.S. and another urging everyone not to brand every Muslim a terrorist. Readers will be enlightened to read about many interesting problems facing the modern world.
Simerg: Why would you want me or my family members to read the book, and what will we all learn from it?
Ladha: Off the Cuff contains articles on interesting, newsworthy, contemporary, and somewhat controversial topics of the day, aimed at provoking thoughts for readers. Some of the articles propose solutions to be taken by individuals and people in authority.
I believe that writers have the responsibility and power through their words to educate and illuminate the mind. As someone mentioned, a writer educates, tames, and mends the society. It’s a wonderful but an enormous responsibility to fulfil.
Simerg: What inspired you to write the book?
Ladha: I was prompted by a friend who is an avid newspaper reader to publish my editorial columns published during my career in journalism which began in 1966 when I joined The Standard in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. I was motivated by the suggestion because as a writer, books are our most valuable legacy that can be left behind.
Simerg: How can I purchase the book and what are its available formats?
Ladha: The book is available from Amazon.ca, in softcover and eBook. Readers in the USA and other countries around the world may purchase the book at Amazon.com. I offer signed copies at a special reduced price. Please write to me at mladha695@gmail.com.
Mansoor Ladha’s “Off the Cuff” published independently, December 2022, 451 pp. Available in Softcover and Kindle.
Simerg: How did you find a publisher for the book?
Ladha: Books are usually published by traditional publishers, majority of whom ony accept submissions through a literary agent or by self-publishing companies.
It is very difficult to get a literary agent interested in your submission and many take three to four months to assess your proposal. After a literary agent accepts your manuscript, he/she will then look for a publisher interested in publishing your book. The whole process takes several months before the book is finally published. It’s a frustrating process.
There are authors whose submissions have been rejected by 20 literary agents; and this is not considered to be unusual. I have been fortunate in getting published by traditional publishers for two of my previous books, Memoirs of a Muhindi: Fleeing East Africa for the West and A Portrait in Pluralism: Aga Khan’s Shia Ismaili Muslims.
For Off the Cuff, I chose to bypass the long wait and self-publish through Amazon with the help of a friend who is an expert IT technician since I found Amazon’s self-publishing portal very complicated to follow.
Simerg: Did you hire an editor, an illustrator or did you do all the work by yourself?
Ladha: Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) provides printing and publishing templates requiring writers to submit edited manuscripts. However, Amazon provides cover design alternatives to choose from and formatting templates.
Simerg: Which was your first book and how many have you written?
Ladha: My first book was Portrait in Pluralism: Aga Khan’s Shia Ismaili Muslims published by Detselig. Memoirs of a Muhindi: Fleeing East Africa for the West was my second book published by University of Regina Press. I was also among a group of journalists and scholars invited to contribute a chapter in a book called “The Story that Brought Me Here” published by Brindle & Glass.
As I jokingly said, though I don’t play cricket anymore, I have scored a publishing hat-trick by publishing Off the Cuff!
Simerg: How long did it take you to write Off the Cuff — from start to finish and to begin marketing it?
Ladha: Getting the manuscript for Off the Cuff was easy as I had to collect copies of my published articles from my computer which didn’t involve any actual writing time.
Date posted: August 3, 2023.
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We welcome feedback from our readers. Please clickLeave a comment. Your letter may be edited for length and brevity and is subject to moderation.
Mansoor Ladha
Mansoor Ladha has held senior editorial positions as a copy editor in Canada (Edmonton Journal & Calgary Herald), features editor (The Standard in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania), copy editor (Daily Nation, Nairobi, Kenya) and was the only owner/publisher of colour of a mainstream English newspaper in Canada for 25 years. Since retiring, he has been travelling around the world as a travel writer on assignments and has published travel features in leading Canadian newspapers and magazines. He has numerous awards to his credit including being a Citizen of the Year in the Town of Morinville, Alberta; Silver Quill Award by the Alberta Weekly Newspapers for distinguished service to newspapers as well as Canada’s Caring Canadian Award for “outstanding and selfless contribution to your community and Canada” by the Governor General of Canada. He has most recently completed another non-fiction book and a novel, both of which are scheduled to be published in 2023. Ladha was also contributor to Simerg’s highly acclaimed series I Wish I’d Been There with a remarkable piece His Name is Jawhar. He has also contributed an exclusive piece for this website’s sister blog Barakah under the title Ismaili Journalist Mansoor Ladha’s Precious Moments with His Highness the Aga Khan.
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Calling all Ismaili Authors
We encourage Ismaili writers to introduce their books in a similar format as has been done in the post above. Please also see the series launch article and submit your responses to Malik at mmerchant@simerg.com. All submissions will be acknowledged. If a writer has published multiple books, each book will be highlighted in a separate article, and not combined with other books into one post. All writers should include a brief profile with a portrait photo.
We welcome feedback from our readers. Please click . Your letter may be edited for length and brevity, and is subject to moderation.
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Links to the Ismaili Authors’ Series (in chronological sequence, oldest article first):
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.
Featured photo at top of post: A general view of the Imam Husayn (Hussein) Mosque in Karbala, Iraq. The photo was taken between September 26 and October 12, 1932. Photograph: G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection, Library of Congress, Washingon D.C.
INTRODUCTION: Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Karim al Hussaini, His Highness the Aga Khan, is the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, and directly descended from Hazrat Ali and his son Imam Husayn.
Imam Husayn B. ‘Aly began his reign as the 2nd Ismaili Imam* on the death of his father, Hazrat Ali on January 27, 661 CE who, 29 years earlier in 632 CE, had been publicly proclaimed by the Prophet Muhammad (May peace be upon him and his progeny) to be his successor at Ghadir Khumm.
The succession ended the cycle of the Divine Institution of Nubuwwah and ushered the world into a new era of the Divine Institution of Imamat. Thus, the Imams directly descended from the Prophet Muhammad, from Hazrat Ali to Mawlana Shah Karim, have continued to guide their murids (followers) in the ta’wil (interpretation) and talim (teaching) of the Holy Qur’an for the last 1391 years.
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A 1932 photograph showing the entrance to the great mosque at Karbala, the holy city of e Shia Muslims. Photograph: G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection, Library of Congress, Washingon D.C.
Imam Husayn was martyred in the Battle of Karbala on the 10th day of the Muslim month of Muharram, or October 10, 680, at the age of 54, and was succeeded to the Hereditary throne of Imamat by Imam Zainul Abideen.
The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, and thus shorter than the 365 day solar calendar by roughly 11 days. This year (2023), the 10th day of Muharram falls on or around July 28/29, almost 1343 years since the Imam’s tragic death at the hands of Yazid’s army.
Please download the PDF version of Wilfred Madelung’s excellent piece on Imam Husayn B. ‘Ali published on the IIS website. Note: The eminent German scholar Professor Madelung passed away in May 2023 and the IIS has published an In Memoriam in his honour HERE
Date posted: July 28, 2023 (This post is an update to earlier versions of the article that has appeared periodically on this website over the past few years.)
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*Note: In the Shia Imami Nizari Ismaili tradition Imam Husayn’s brother, Hazrat Hassan, is not counted as an Imam. However, he is regarded as their second Imam by other Shia Muslims, thus making Imam Husayn as their 3rd Imam.
Editor’s note: This photo and video post that would normally appear in our photoblog Simergphotos is being published on our primary website Simerg, while we carry out essential upgrades to Simergphotos.
The author arrives at a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE to the beautiful sight of two newborn grebettes to Red-necked Grebes, July 24, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
Readers should note that both the male and female Red-necked Grebes share in the incubation. During the many many hours I spent at the pond over the past week, I observed that the dominant partner in the incubation was the male, and I say that because I saw the male, which is slightly larger than the female, spend more time in the nest than his female partner.
The mom’s time was mainly spent in the water, always looking out for danger through her perceptive senses of hearing and eyesight. A constant threat was a nearby resident muskrat. When she became aware of its presence, she would immediately go underwater and swim toward the muskrat to make sure it changed its direction away from the nest. The mom, as per my observation, also gathered and fed the newborns as well as participated in the upkeep of the nest. However, her food offerings to her babies were not always accepted and she would wisely retreat.
Further to my sighting on July 22 of the first baby (henceforth also referred to as a grebette) this new post now reflects my two additional visits to the pond that took place on July 24, when I sighted two grebettes, and on July 26 when I saw three grebettes swimming with their parents in the middle of the pond, at least 125 metres from the nest. It appears to me that the nest with 1 more egg still remaining to be hatched has been abandoned.
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Nest abandoned (?) by the Red-necked Grebes with one unhatched egg following the birth of 3 grebettes between July 22-26, 2023 in a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE; July 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
I say this because the Red-necked Grebes never returned to the nest during my 2 hour stay at the pond. I tried to capture a video and photographs of the far-away Grebes and their babies as best as I could with the 40-150 mm lens on my Olympus camera.
Enjoy the photos from my visits to this great pond on Country Hills Blvd in NE Calgary. Of course, I shall be returning to the pond to see the grebettes in the coming days, as I have been told that they continue to ride on their parents backs for the first two weeks of their lives. From time to time, they are given the opportunity to swim by their parents side. The male parent literally flips them into the water as you will see in some of the videos. The male, I noted, exerted his authority over the family quite firmly, while at the same time being warm to his babies and showing deep attachment and love to his female partner. He was also a great educator, as you will see in one of the videos, where he appears to be instructing his baby on how to take care of the nest! I think that was amazing. There are a couple of yawns from the little baby as he was watching his father’s demonstration. Didn’t we all when we were children and even more so later in life as we began taking serious classes?
July 24th, 2023: Photographs and Videos of Red-necked Grebes and their Babies at a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE
Two unhatched eggs in the Red-necked Grebes’ nest in a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 24, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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The male Red-necked Grebe incubating the two remaining eggs in his nest in a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 24, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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Non-threatening ducks pass by and the female Red-necked Grebe at right ensures they are away from her nest where her male partner is incubating 2 eggs in a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 24, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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The female Red-necked Grebe is beautifully reflected in the calm waters of a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 24, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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The male Red-necked Grebe incubates the two remaining eggs in his nest in a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 24, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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The new Red-necked Grebe family of four, with 2 eggs still to hatch, next to their drenched nest in a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 24, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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The mom Red-necked Grebe offers food to her newborn grebettes as they have their heads out from the their dad’s wings in a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 24, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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A series of 4 related photographs and a video
As mentioned earlier, the incubation of eggs in the Grebe family is shared between the male and female. This series of 4 photographs and the video after encapsulate the transition of incubation from the male Red-necked Grebe to his female partner.
The male stands up in the nest and decides to return to the water. The female prepares to take over the incubation process. She has one of her new-born grebettes swimming in front of her, while carrying the second newborn baby on her back — it is partially visible in this photo but fully visible in the next photo. Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 24, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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The male Red-necked Grebe wades into the pond as his family watches, Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 24, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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The female Red-necked Grebe arrives with her babies at the nest to assume her incubation role in a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 24, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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The female Red-necked Grebe with her baby on her back leaps onto the nest and does some house keeping on the nest, while the second grebette is still in the Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 24, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
VIDEO 1 (This is a sequel to the 4 preceding photos)
DESCRIPTION: The following video below is a fantastic conclusion to the sequence of 4 photos shown above of the incubation transition from the male Red-necked Grebe to his female partner
Video: Red-necked Grebes in a Calgary Pond, July 2023, by Malik Merchant/Simerg
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VIDEO 2/13
DESCRIPTION: In this extremely short video, the mom arrives at the nest to feed her new-born grebette and returns to the pond to get some more nourishment
Video: Red-necked Grebes in a Calgary Pond, July 2023, by Malik Merchant/Simerg
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VIDEO 3/13
DESCRIPTION: In this interesting video, we see the female Red-necked Grebe returning to the nest, carefully jumping onto its edge, taking great care to organize it before gracefully sitting on her unhatched eggs.
Video: Red-necked Grebes in a Calgary Pond, July 2023, by Malik Merchant/Simerg
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VIDEO 4/13
DESCRIPTION: In this video, the mother fails in her attempt to feed her babies, and retreats. The 2 new born grebettes are being playful by their father’s tail. Once the tail wind opens, they slide into it and one of the babies is then seen emerging on centre of his back.
Video: Red-necked Grebes in a Calgary Pond, July 2023, by Malik Merchant/Simerg
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VIDEO 5/13
DESCRIPTION: In this cute video, the new born gribette decides to have some fun with its mother by pushing against her such in such a way that she moves in a clockwise direction. Seemingly, the baby having been well nourished, appears to have gained enough strength to become playful since its birth in the last 48 hours.
Video: Red-necked Grebes in a Calgary Pond, July 2023, by Malik Merchant/Simerg
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VIDEO 6/13
DESCRIPTION: In this extraordinary video, we see one bregette on the back of its mom, while the second one swims beside her. The male Red-necked Grebe decides to leave the nest where he was incubating the remaining 2 eggs. The mom then takes over the incubation duty after carrying out some nest maintenance. The bregettes who were with the mom join their dad for some play time. One easily slides into his wing while the second one has a hard time and continues with its struggle
Video: Red-necked Grebes in a Calgary Pond, July 2023, by Malik Merchant/Simerg
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VIDEO 8/13
DESCRIPTION: In this incredible short video, I capture the first and only instance I hear the cries of the Red-necked Grebes during my entire period at the pond. Unfortunately my camera shook and the remaining video had to be edited out.
Video: Red-necked Grebes in a Calgary Pond, July 2023, by Malik Merchant/Simerg
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VIDEO 9/13
DESCRIPTION: In this very short video, we see the female Red-necked Grebe bathing while her male partner has the two grebettes, one on the back and the second at the end of his tail.
Video: Red-necked Grebes in a Calgary Pond, July 2023, by Malik Merchant/Simerg
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VIDEO 10/13
DESCRIPTION: In this amazing video, we see the mom Red-necked Grebe suddenly appear by the nest. First, she looks around for any signs of danger and then she performs some maintenance on the nest before elegantly sitting down on the eggs for more incubation.
Video: Red-necked Grebes in a Calgary Pond, July 2023, by Malik Merchant/Simerg
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VIDEO 11/13
DESCRIPTION: In this stunning video, we see the male Red-necked Grebe swimming with his two new born grebettes towards the nest. The female, who is left a little bit behind, catches up with him as he reaches the nest and she begins to feed her babies while they are still with the male. The male then suddenly flips his two babies into the water as he climbs onto the nest. He then commences his incubation duty, but not before performing some maintenance on the nest. The female assists in the nest maintenance. The grebettes are then playful with their mom before she finally accepts them under her wing, which she folds down for their protection.
Video: Red-necked Grebes in a Calgary Pond, July 2023, by Malik Merchant/Simerg
VIDEO 12/13
DESCRIPTION: In this last video taken late in the afternoon on July 24, we appear to see the beautiful and caring parents provide a 45 second lesson on nest upkeeping to one of their new-born grebettes. After the demonstration is over, the father lets the grebette slide underneath his wing for a a well-deserved rest! Gribettes spend their first two weeks or so on the backs of their parents and I would guess they are taught about life’s duties just as any other living thing
Red-necked Grebes Bring Their Baby Gribettes into the World, July 24, 2023, Video by Malik Merchant.
July 24, 2023, Photograph of the Day: Thanking the Maker of the Heavens and the Earth
Red-necked Grebe after the birth of 2 grebettes in a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 24, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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July 26, 2023: The Red-necked Grebe Family of 5 and Other Wildlife at a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE,
Wildlife, ducks, in a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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Wildlife, large water birds, in a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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VIDEO 13/13
DESCRIPTION: In this video, we see the new Red-necked Grebe family of 5 in the middle of the pond, about 125 metres from the location of their nest where one egg remains unhatched. There is a grebette already swimming in the water and in a few moments we see the male flip his 2 babies that were in his wings into the water.
Video: Red-necked Grebes in a Calgary Pond, July 2023, by Malik Merchant/Simerg
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The Beautiful New Red-necked Grebe Family
A beautiful new Red-necked Grebe family of 5, with 3 newborn grebettes riding on the back of their dad in a Stormwater Wet Pond on Country Hills Blvd in Calgary NE, July 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
Date posted: July 27, 2023.
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Malik Merchant’s recent walk around a Calgary pond led him to a floating nest built by a pair of beautiful Red-necked Grebes. Two days later, one egg out of four hatched and Malik saw the new born grebette’s first day of life in the new world. Below is one of four videos that he took. To see Malik’s collection of photographs and more videos of his stunning day at the pond, please visit his beautiful PHOTOBLOG.
For more stunning videos and photographs please click HERE
Simergphotos, a sister website of Simerg, is dedicated to photographs. Since his relocation to Alberta from Ontario, Malik has visited a number of Alberta’s magnificent national and provincial parks. Here are a few of his many pieces:
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un “Surely we belong to God and to Him we return” — Holy Qur’an, 2:156
“Life is a great and noble calling, not a mean and grovelling thing to be shuffled through as best as we can but a lofty and exalted destiny” — Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III (1877-1957), 48th Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.
UPDATE, JANUARY 19, 2024: I am grieved to learn — and inform readers — of the passing of Late Salim Harji’s son, Rahim, earlier today in Calgary at the age of 41 after a brief illness. We offer our prayers that his soul may rest in eternal peace. Ameen. We also offer prayers for the courage and fortitude of his mother, Shirin, and sister, Farah, to face this immense loss that takes place only six months after the demise of Salim.
Rahim’s funeral ceremonies will be held at noon on Thursday, January 25, at Calgary’s Westwinds Jamatakhana, followed by samar and zyarat (special prayers for the soul) the same evening at the Jamatkhana.
The following is the original tribute honouring Salim Harji shortly after he passed in Calgary on July 13, 2023, at the age of 70.
JULY 18, 2023: Just over 2 weeks ago, Salim and his wife Shirin had invited me to their place like they had done a number of times since my arrival in Calgary in 2022. My simple gift to them on that day was a booklet of Eid stamps that was released by Canada Post in May of this year.
Then, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, on the auspicious occasion of Mawlana Hazar Imam His Highness the Aga Khan’s 66th Imamat Day anniversary, I was on my way to Headquarters Jamatkhana. It was around 7:15 pm. As I took the exit, just 500 metres from the Jamatkhana, I found myself unable to change lanes due to a traffic jam on McKnight Blvd. I had two lanes to cross and I did not take the chance. I hoped for a U-turn further away but I did not see one, and I drove to Westwinds Jamatkhana instead, ten minutes away.
After the lengthy Jamathana ceremony, that included a beautiful and inspiring Talika (written letter) of blessings from Mawlana Hazar Imam, along with new appointments to Ismaili Institutions across Canada, I saw Salim waving his hands to me through a large crowd in the Jamatkhana’s social hall, from about 7 metres. There, with his lovely wife Shirin, who had earlier recited the traditional Ginan Amar Te Ayo — it is recited whenever new appointments related to Jamatkhana officials are made — I finished my hot cup of chai. We talked about going to Kananaskis this week (week of July 17). Shirin mentioned she would prepare a picnic basket for the outing. But the trip was not to be. Forty-eight hours later, on Thursday night, July 13, Shirin called me: “I’ve very bad news. Salim just passed away”. I was speechless and in utter shock.
I owe it to the traffic jam, which forced me to drive to Westwinds Jamatkhana and meet him for the last time on Imamat Day. Apparently, he passed away inside the Jamatkhana with the paramedics unable to revive him. Earlier, that fateful evening, he had opened the Jamatkhana! He passed away serving the Imam-of-the-Time and his spiritual children, and just before his body was taken away, the key of the Jamatkhana was retrieved from his volunteer’s blazer.
Salim Harji (1952-2023) in the uniform of the Ismaili Volunteers. Photograph: Salim Harji family collection.
Salim was a devout murid of Mawlana Hazar Imam and an exceptional volunteer. Over the last few days, since his death, the family has been receiving phone calls from around the world — even from individuals the family never met or knew — expressing their condolences; and many have mentioned how Salim had helped them out during his lifetime — hidden service that was not even known to his closest family members.
Shirin and her children are coping with the tragic death well. She is a woman of strength, courage and faith — she regularly attends Jamatkhana in the morning and evening. Her support for her husband over the years has been remarkable. I have watched their relationship since I was a young boy of 15; it blossomed into a happy marriage that lasted for more than 40 years! For the past couple of days, I have witnessed nothing but love between members of the family who have travelled from across Canada and abroad. The two children, Rahim and Farah, and their families have provided tremendous support to their mum.
Born on August 3, 1952, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (then Tanganyika), Salim completed his education at the Aga Khan School before proceeding to London, England in 1971/2, where he got married to Shirin. They migrated to Canada. While Shirin pursued her career in accounting, Salim went on to open a very successful business in printing. They raised two children, Rahim and Farah.
Salim was a jovial individual. He loved life. We called him Elvis in Dar es Salaam. In Calgary, he was known as “Stan the Man”. He participated and gave his support to Ismaili institutions as a volunteer in numerous capacities. He was also a Scout leader. He was passionate about serving and also, if my memory serves me right, helped in building award winning floats that represented the Ismaili Muslim community in the iconic world renowned annual Stampede Parade.
Predeceased by his parents Mr. Jadavji Harji and Mrs. Remti Harji and his older brother Amin, Salim leaves behind his wife Shirin and two grown-up children Rahim and Farah as well as his siblings Firoz, Shiraz, Shemim, Shanaz, Nasreen and Aziz and their families. His entire family and the thousands of friends he made throughout his life will deeply miss his joyful presence. They will be inspired by the wonderful memories of friendship and his genuine concern for everyone he knew.
For me personally, Salim and Shirin have offered me the best support I would wish for during my recent settlement in Calgary. Their home has always been open to me. My daughter Nurin recollects our stay at their home some 16 years ago during our holiday in Alberta, when the couple and their daughter Farah looked after us so well, and Farah treated her like her younger sister.
Salim and I were not yet teenagers when our parents, in a hat-drawn lottery process, were offered ownership to their respective apartments in a newly built Ismaili Housing Society, the Islamabad Flats, on Cameron Road (later changed to United Nations Road.) That was way back in 1963. Our friendship never faltered and we have loved each other for 60 years.
As is customary during any funeral, members of the community are asked to forgive any mistakes committed by the deceased person during his or her lifetime. I went through our friendship and could not recall one instance in his friendship with me when he made a mistake. As a cricketer, he dismissed me a few times but that was because of his superior bowling and my mistakes while batting! He never ever hurt me.
His funeral in Calgary on Monday, July 17, 2023, at the Westwinds Jamatkhana was attended by many hundreds including members of the local Ismaili leadership, the Ismaili scouts and volunteers. The burial took place at the Rocky View Garden of Peace Cemetery. The temporary plaque on his grave adorned with rose stems and the sweet and sacred smell of agharbati (incense sticks) read:
“Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. In Loving Memory of Salim Harji “Stan the Man”, August 3, 1952 — July 13, 2023. Innalilahi Wa Inna Ilahi Rajiun.”
Indeed, Salim’s beautiful soul has returned to its original abode — in the presence of Allah’s Noor (Light). May his soul rest in eternal peace, Ameen. And may his family have the courage and fortitude to face this immense loss. They are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Date posted: July 18, 2023. Last updated: January 19, 2024 (announcement of the passing of Rahim Salim Harji)
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We invite you to submit your condolences and tributes to Salim Harji in the comments box below or by clicking on LEAVE A COMMENT.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Simerg invites Ismaili families to submit obituaries and tributes to deceased members of their families, whether they passed away recently or in the past. Please review PASSINGS on how to prepare and submit your tribute.
Azim’s message of SPARK celebrates the potential within all of us regardless of our circumstances — Harvey Mackay, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Swim With The Sharks
Simerg: What is behind the naming of the title of the book?
Azim Jamal: In our all-out pursuit for success, we lose touch of what deeply ignites that drive. I refer to that ignition as the SPARK. Through the book, I share how the end game is not as much about Success, but more so about Significance. Hence, the title SPARK: Journey from Success to Significance. In some way, the motivation for the protagonist’s journey resembles my own personal journey when I made the shift from “accounting for business (Success)” to “accounting for life (Significance)”. This journey led to three powerful discoveries:
— How my vocation became my vacation — The more I aspired, the more the universe conspired — On my path to transforming other lives, my own life transformed
Simerg: Why would you want me or my family members to read the book, and what will we all learn from it?
Jamal: This book will offer all readers a visionary yet practical pathway to discovering an unwavering significance to life. SPARK is a beginner’s guide to finding the sense of purpose and passion which lives inside all of us.
Simerg: What inspired you to write SPARK: Journey from Success to Significance?
Jamal: During the pandemic being locked down for 2-3 years resulted in physical and mental fatigue. However, the pandemic pause made us question whether our pursuit for bigger and better was in fact what defined our happiness. It was clear to me really our desire for meaning (Significance), and not our motivation for profit (Success) that brought us the most fulfillment!
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PRAISE FOR SPARK
All the elements Azim shares in his inspiring book are time tested, proven and indeed foundational principles that can ignite the SPARK within you — Dr. Nido Qubein, President of High Point University
This is a book for those who dare to search for answers, and who are unafraid to SPARK a change in their lives — Brian Tracy, author of # 1 international bestseller Eat That Frog
If you would love to make a significant difference on the planet, doing exactly what you truly love, then Spark is the book to read — Dr. John Demartini, International bestselling author of The Values Factor
Designed for our increasingly uncertain world, SPARK is a reassuring guide to discover your purpose — Marshall Goldsmith, New York Times #1 bestselling author of Mojo
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Simerg: How can I purchase the book and what are its available formats?
Simerg: How did you find a publisher for the book?
Jamal: Over the years, I have self-published a few books and also worked with several publishers. For this book, I am taking a hybrid approach (partly self-published, and partly through selected foreign publishers). I’m hoping this will result in a win-win-win outcome for all parties — author, publisher and reader. My experience working with a major publisher began in 2005 when I co-authored The Power of Giving, which topped the Amazon charts. It was at that time Penguin showed interest. Soon after, the book went on to win the Nautilus Gold Award for books that inspire social change. The Power of Giving was translated in ten languages, which in turn triggered work with other foreign publishers. Overall, however the experience of working with publishers has been a difficult one and despite writing ten books, am still figuring out the book publishing journey!
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Azim Jamal’s “SPARK. Journey from Success to Significance,” published by Tellwell Talent, November 2022, 230 pp. Available in Hardcover, Softcover and Kindle.
Simerg: Did you hire an editor, an illustrator or did you do all the work by yourself?
Jamal: Yes, I did have lots of help in writing this book. From creating the fable to hiring copy editors and proofreaders. My family and team helped me tremendously in my journey. Writing a book is rarely, if ever, a one-person endeavour!
Simerg: Which was your first book and how many have you written?
Jamal: My first book, called 7 Steps to Lasting Happiness, was published on July 13, 1999. As mentioned above, SPARK: Journey from Success to Significance is my tenth book. All my ten books revolve around the synergy of Business, Balance & Beyond.
I hope to introduce the remaining of my earlier publications through this very useful and informative series that you have launched. It encourages Ismaili authors tremendously and informs the Jamat as well as members outside the Jamat about the literary scene in the community.
However, I would wish that books by authors you have featured so far as well as books by other Ismaili authors are made available at Jamati literature counters here in Canada and around the world. The Ismaili literary scene has become rich in the last two decades and Ismaili authors, established as well as new ones, deserve to be promoted within the community, just as there is so much institutional encouragement for artists in the community.
Simerg: I sincerely hope the situation will change and that a regular literary forum is created where Ismaili authors can engage with community members. Reading your profile, your own personal story about how you became involved in writing is fascinating in itself.
How long did it take you to write “SPARK: Journey from Success to Significance from start to finish and to begin marketing it?
Jamal: From concept to creation, it took me approximately 2 years. In comparison, the first book I ever wrote, 7 Steps to Lasting Happiness, took me 5+ years to complete. With every book I write, the timing and process gets better!
Simerg: Tell us something more about your book.
Jamal: In this inspiring fable you will meet Steve, a hotshot lawyer fighting to climb the corporate ladder. His life transforms seemingly overnight when he is sent to India for a task he considers pointless. Things quickly fall apart. Steve, forced to reconsider his path, realizes that the curveball life has thrown him is an opportunity to find his true purpose. This spiritual odyssey is about to transform him beyond his wildest dreams. A powerful lesson follows each chapter, making up the SPARK that transforms Steve’s life.
Date posted: July 17, 2023.
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We welcome feedback from our readers. Please click Leave a comment. Your letter may be edited for length and brevity and is subject to moderation.
Azim Jamal is the founder of Corporate Sufi, a company dedicated to inspiring and empowering leaders at all levels to achieve material success, blended with a deep sense of purpose, passion, and fulfillment. Author of several highly-acclaimed books including, “What You Seek is Seeking You”, co-authored with Brian Tracy, Azim twice was a # 1 Amazon bestselling author, and in 2005 topped Harry Potter. He has also been a # 1 bestseller with Barnes & Noble with his co-authored book — “The Power of Giving”, which won the Nautilus Gold Award in May 2009 for books that change lives.
Once a highly successful accountant, he was moved by the plight and inner strength of refugees he went to serve; he was inspired to make a life-altering decision that transformed his mission from “accounting for business” to “accounting for life”. His dynamic, inspiring and thought-provoking message has been heard live by over 1 million people in more than 100 cities in five continents. His media message has reached more than 5 million people around the world. We invite our readers to listen to one of his podcasts HERE and watch his TEDx talk Live to Give.
Read more about Azim Jamal at his official website, Corporate Sufi.
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Calling all Ismaili Authors
We encourage Ismaili writers to introduce their books in a similar format as has been done in the post above. Please also see the series launch article and submit your responses to Malik at mmerchant@simerg.com. All submissions will be acknowledged. If a writer has published multiple books, each book will be highlighted in a separate article, and not combined with other books into one post. All writers should include a brief profile with a portrait photo.
We welcome feedback from our readers. Please click . Your letter may be edited for length and brevity, and is subject to moderation.
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Links to the Ismaili Authors’ Series (in chronological sequence, oldest article first):
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.
“Forwarded many times” is a ubiquitous term on the WhatsApp platform. I am of course delighted when my referrals to articles posted on my three blogs get “forwarded many times”. However, I feel helpless when I receive messages and dateless photographs and quotes that I have to authenticate by doing searches on Google and other search engines as well as visiting my own websites! These messages come from all segments of the Ismaili Jamat (community) including highly educated youth and professionals. Everybody wants to be recognized for their speedy forwards. For example, a photograph of His Highness the Aga Khan — Ismailis respectfully address him as Mawlana Hazar Imam — taken with a Federal German minister some 15 years ago got forwarded a few months ago without a date and made all recipients think it was “yesterday’s” photograph. I can cite many other similar examples.
Yesterday, Friday July 14, 2023, thousands of Ismailis around the world including me received the worst ever forward from multiple sources. It is difficult to trace where the original message came from, and the person who first sent out the message should feel ashamed for causing anxiety to thousands of Ismailis around the world for hours. Just over 3 years ago, following some thoughtless forwards of unauthenticated messages, Aniza Meghani of London, England, had contributed this must read piece Ismailis on Social Media: You Need to Take Care and STOP Indiscriminate Likes, Follows and Forwards!
The FAKE message sent on July 14 stated that prayers were in order because Malik Talib, the Chairman of the Leaders Ismaili Forum (LIF), received a call from Mawlana Hazar Imam to “immediately come back to Lisbon”. The FAKE message further goes on to state that before returning to Lisbon, Talib left a message with a Mukhi (congregational leader) in Vancouver “to ask the Jamat to pray for Mawla’s health” (the Aga Khan is also addressed as Mawla by his devout followers.) Some individuals who personally forwarded me the message dutifully told me that the message was not verified. Others, however, did not and I politely responded to them to stop forwarding the message.
Through my contact with the most credible sources, I learnt that the news was FAKE. I immediately sent a message to my WhatsApp contacts, and they were thankful that their anxious moments had ended.
In the next line, the FAKE communication that I received stated, “Jamat [members of the community] is advised that there is a SPECIAL message from the LIF which will be read tonight” [Friday, July 14]. Of course, many went to their respective Jamatkhanas with a concern in their minds about the FAKE message that had accompanied this line.
The Ismaili Jamat has remained steadfastly united for decades by respectfully following the Imam-of-the-Time and his appointed institutions. The Imam has repeatedly asked the Ismailis to follow instructions from institutions.
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The Ismailis have had to confront physical harm through the ages. We have been challenged and our missionaries and scholars have responded and continue to respond intellectually to such challenges.
Today, there are certain elements in society that do not welcome the Ismailis, and will do everything in their power to harm the Jamat or cause disunity. It could happen through a bad Tweet or a WhatsApp or social media message, combined with emails to hundreds of recipients to give the FAKE message some authenticity. Indeed, the FAKE message was also distributed in an email originating from Ismaili sources to more than 200 recipients. I was among the recipients.
We have to be intelligent and vigilant about both external and internal threats. We have to learn about our faith and bear in mind that important decisions relating to the Jamat and the Imamat will come from the Office of the Imam. We have to learn to be patient.
Now that I have dealt with this FAKE matter let me mention a few things that DID take place on Friday, the 14th:
(1) Malik Talib was sighted in Vancouver. He had already arrived back in his home town several hours earlier, and was never asked to return to Lisbon; and
(2) An announcement from the LIF was read in Jamatkhanas around Canada. It mentioned that a group of leaders from the LIF met with the Mawlana Hazar Imam in Lisbon on the occasion of his 66th Imamat Day. During the meeting, a gift was presented to him on behalf of the worldwide community. The Imam deeply appreciated the gift and conveyed his blessings to the worldwide Ismaili community. A description of the beautiful gift will appear in our sister website Barakah, as soon as we have more details about it. This message from the LIF was truly welcome on a day that had begun with a FAKE message!
In conclusion, we need to be aware of this virus of FAKE news and the serious and harmful consequences of thoughtlessly and irresponsibly forwarding unauthenticated messages.
On a personal note, nothing is more satisfying and can bring greater happiness and one closer to the Imam-of-the-Time and the Noor (Light) of Imamat than reciting the Salawat — one, two, ten or more — everyday, whether the Imam is well or unwell. It seeks Allah’s blessings on Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad.
Date posted: July 15, 2023.
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Religion News Service (RNS) spoke to Shenila Khoja-Moolji, a professor of Muslim societies at Georgetown University, about her forthcoming new book (Oxford), “Rebuilding Community: Displaced Women and the Making of a Shia Ismaili Muslim Sociality.” The book records the histories of women in her faith community that are absent from religious archives. Please click HERE or on the image below to read and listen to Kathryn Post’s report in RNS, along with Professor Khoja-Moolji’s interview.
Date posted: July 12, 2023.
Featured image at top of post: Ismailis cooking for the community in advance of a religious festival in Toronto in the 1970s. Photograph: Dr. Mohamed Manji, Vancouver.
