1992 « Simerg – Insights from Around the World

By MALIK MERCHANT

Farah Nasser, a seasoned award-winning Canadian journalist who has worked for Global News and Global National as an anchor for a decade, before leaving the network last summer, conducted a significant and enlightening interview with Princess Zahra Aga Khan, the eldest child of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan. The interview, held at the prestigious Aga Khan Centre in London, provided unique insight into Princess Zahra’s thoughts and perspectives.

The must-watch interview was aired on Ismaili.TV and on The Ismaili, the official website of the Ismaili Muslim community, on Friday, December 13, 2024, on the auspicious occasion of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 88th Salgirah (birthday).

Farah Nasser and Zahra Aga Khan — Farah Nasser hands Princess Zahra Aga Khan a Tablet, requesting that she watch a 1994 clip from a Farman delivered by Mawlana Hazar Imam to the UK Jamat gathered in London. Photograph: Still photo from interview.

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Zahara Aga Khan with Farah Nasser — Princess Zahra Aga Khan watches a video clip of her father, Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, telling his Ismaili community in the UK in August 1992 that the Princess graduated from university with an honours degree and would be joining him to work by his side. Photograph: Still photo from interview.

At the start of the interview, Farah presented Princess Zahra with a tablet and requested that she view a clip from a rare thirty-year video dating back to 1994. The next image captures Princess Zahra engrossed in the clip, where Mawlana Hazar Imam, her father, joyfully mentions her university graduation and future work alongside him. It was a poignant moment as Princess Zahra focused on the Tablet screen, witnessing her father’s heartfelt words:

“In the past,” Mawlana Hazar Imam said, “I have not talked about my family except when my children were born or when I got married, and I thought I should tell you today that my eldest child has graduated from university…. She has received an honours degree in Development Studies. She selected that subject as she aspired to work and serve the Jamat [Ismaili community] in the developing world. And in September, she will join me to work by my side.”

The announcement was met with joy and waves of applause.

Aga Khan announces graduation of his daughter from university, 1992, Simerg Insights from around the world — With deep happiness, Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, shared the news with his spiritual children gathered in London, England, in August 1994, that his daughter Princess Zahra had graduated with honours and would be joining him to work by his side. The news was met with joy and a wave of applause. Photograph: Still photo from video watched by Princess Zahra.

In the interview, Princess Zahra shares her academic journey, including her unique concentration in Development Studies. The engaging twenty-five-minute conversation concludes with Farah Nasser asking the Princess to convey the murids’ (Ismaili followers) affection and birthday wishes to Mawlana Hazar Imam. Princess Zahra assures that she will pass on the greetings, noting that he always appreciates receiving messages. She also shares that Hazar Imam requested a chocolate cake for his birthday. We now present the full YouTube interview to our readers worldwide.