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
The Jamatkhana Dome, Ismaili Centre Toronto, 49 Wynford Drive. Photograph: The Ismaili.Please click on the image for the Centre’s 10th anniversary pictorial essay.
Since their inauguration by former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and His Highness the Aga Khan in mid-September 2014, the Ismaili Centre Toronto and the Aga Khan Museum have become among the most beloved buildings explored by the public during the Doors Open Toronto held every May. The buildings, with their mission to promote cultural understanding, have consistently attracted thousands of visitors for their incredible artistic and architectural features and the rich collection of artifacts housed in the Museum. The Ismaili Centre’s domed Jamatkhana, a unique architectural marvel, is a sight to behold. Its remarkable features, under which Ismaili Muslims congregate for prayers daily, make it one of the most distinctive buildings in the country. Watching the building from the Don Valley Parkway when the dome is lit at night is a truly breathtaking experience.
As the buildings celebrate their 10th anniversary, we present two posts that will give our readers a glimpse of these fascinating projects. Please click on THE ISMAILI CENTRE and THE AGA KHAN MUSEUM.
Did you know that you can book a one-hour free tour of the Ismaili Centre (77 Wynford Drive, Toronto) online? This is a fantastic opportunity to delve into the architectural and cultural wonders of this unique building. Please click HERE to get more details about an Ismaili Centre tour. If a window is not available, please send an email to tours.toronto@iicanada.net. For information on visiting the Aga Khan Museum (77 Wynford Drive, Toronto), please go to http://agakhanmuseum.org.
Plan your visit today and experience these iconic buildings’ cultural and architectural wonders.
The Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Drive, Toronto. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Please click on the image for the Museum’s 10th anniversary pictorial essay.
Simerg and its sister website, Barakah, are buzzing with excitement as we provide a brief background story of the Humayun World Heritage Site Museum, which is set to be inaugurated in New Delhi on Monday, July 29, 2024. The anticipation is palpable as we await the grand opening by Prince Rahim Aga Khan, eldest son of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims. Gajendra Singh, India’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, will join him on this momentous occasion.
The Humayun World Heritage Site Museum, as described by the Indian edition of Condé Nast, is a gateway to understanding the unique cultural significance of one of the city’s most notable Mughal-era monuments. Anuja Jaiswal, writing for the Times of India, includes a statement by the CEO of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. He says that each of the museum’s exhibits, meticulously preserved, has a unique and fascinating story to tell.
With its rich historical significance, the museum is a treasure trove of enlightenment for any cultural researcher. The Indian Express, in a thought-provoking question, asks: “Did you know that Humayun travelled three times more than Marco Polo, the famed explorer, covering 34,000 kilometres in his life? Or that he was so obsessed with astronomy and astrology that he wore a specific colour each day of the week to align with the planet of the day? Or that he was so fond of books that he used to carry his libraries on camelbacks during his travels?”
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Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, and the then Minister of Tourism and Culture, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, on April 7, 2015, laid the foundation of a site museum to be situated at the Humayun’s Tomb complex. Prince Rahim Aga Khan will inaugurate the sunken museum on Monday, July 29, 2024. Photograph: The Ismaili/Aziz Ajaney.
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Artist rendering of Humayun’s Tomb Complex Site Museum in New Delhi, India. Photograph: AKDN. Please click on image for enlargement
When His Highness laid the museum’s foundation stone in April 2015, he observed:
“This Museum, as you may know….is located at the juncture of three historically connected sites: Humayun’s Tomb and its Gardens, Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti, and the Sundar Nursery. In connecting these sites, the Museum will also serve as a bridge between the present and the past — linking the modern city of Delhi to its remarkable heritage — and thus providing a Gateway to a truly extraordinary period of human history. That remarkable chapter in the human story extended over 170 years — the era of the Mughal empire. It was a time of enormous accomplishment — and enormous significance. Geographically it covered much of what is now India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. In terms of governance, it included hundreds of millions of people, covering an enormous spectrum of religious faiths, cultural practices, and ethnic identities. It was led by men whose talents in statehood and in military affairs were remarkable — and their impact was felt in virtually every dimension of human existence, both within the empire and outside. Many of the Mughal rulers, perhaps most of them, were also exceptional leaders in the acumen and insight which they brought to their leadership roles. They were statesmen who would have excelled in any time.” — For full speech on the Ismaili wesbite, click HERE.
For the latest news, articles and literary pieces about His Highness the Aga Khan, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat, please visit Barakah.
Date posted: July 27, 2024.
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A different version of this story appears on Simerg’s sister website, Barakah.
Much of the inspiration for my paintings comes from Mawlana Hazar Imam His Highness the Aga Khan’s guidance to the Ismaili community on the importance of brotherhood, pluralism, and living a life where we “do not forsake the soul for the material world.” Indeed, I draw continued encouragement from the Imam’s guidance as an artist and in my daily life.
Take Me Away by Shafina Jaffer. Medium: Oil on canvas. Size: 200 x 80 cm (78.7 x 31.5 in). This painting was projected on the facade of Windsor Castle during the Coronation Concert honouring the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, on May 7, 2023. Shafina presented the original painting to Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, for the auspicious occasion of Navroz, March 21, 2024. Photograph: Shafina Jaffer collection.
Last year, I curated a painting for King Charles’s coronation, and on the occasion of Navroz — the Persian New Year — on March 21, 2024, the same painting, “Take Me Away,” was gifted to Mawlana Hazar Imam, who graciously accepted it and encouraged me to pursue my talents. His message moved me, and as a show of gratitude to celebrate his 67th Imamat Day on July 11, 2024, I have embarked on a series of Mawlana Hazar Imam portrait paintings that will be presented in the coming months on this website.
Simerg and its sister website, Barakah, share the first painting in this series that captures a very youthful Hazar Imam. When asked about my choice to depict Mawlana Hazar Imam at this age, I explain that it’s the image that has been etched in my mind growing up: a sympathetic, youthful figure radiating with light. This personal connection with the Imam drives my artistic expression and deepens my sense of gratitude.
Delving into mixed-media mediums, I use my heritage and strong affiliation with spirituality to sow the seeds of my creativity. Since completing my Graduate Diploma (Art & Design) and Master’s Degree (Painting) from the Royal College of Art, I have explored the intricacies of nature, human relationships, and spirituality within the field of art and their interrelationship.
Religion and spirituality are not just important themes in my art; they are the essence of my work, reflecting my deep exploration of faith and the human connection to the divine. My canvases are vibrant and alive, filled with a playful mix of colour, form, and texture, with natural mediums playing a pivotal role. Faith pushes me to transcend the physical and visible, uncovering what resides at the core and infusing the outer edges with life. Indeed, with such portraiture of the Imam, the lines between literal and divine interpretation are moving and profound.
Please click on image for enlargement
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, by Shafina Jaffer. Medium: Oil, Gold and Charcoal; Size: 42 x 32 cm. Original photograph for painting: Gary Otte (cover page and page 121 of Depth of Field: The Aga Khan Beyond the Lens).
This portrait of the Aga Khan, painted with meticulous care and deep gratitude, captures his serene and compassionate essence. I have highlighted his gentle smile and thoughtfully intelligent eyes, conveying wisdom and kindness. The subtle use of colours and shading brings out the depth of his character and position in humanity, reflecting his profound impact as a spiritual leader and guide. One can easily see an overarching glow settled upon the canvas — reflecting his holy and elevated demeanour.
The border, crafted in real gold and liquid charcoal, symbolizes his love for nature and adds a unique, elegant touch to the piece. This artwork is a heartfelt tribute, expressing deep appreciation for the Aga Khan’s guidance and positive influence on my life and practice. It stands as a testament to the enduring respect and admiration he commands.
Upon gazing at this painting, one can forget that it is not a photograph. My brush has sought to create a three-dimensional profound effect which makes it appear that the face is emerging from the confines of the page to look into the viewer’s eyes, saying:
“Everybody makes mistakes. Never regret them; correct them. There’s no such thing as a perfect world or perfect life” — His Highness the Aga Khan.
Date posted: July 9, 2024.
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Work in progress, as Ismaili artist Shafina Jaffer paints a portrait of His Highness the Aga Khan in her studio in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The iconic artist was invited to the residence of the US Ambassador to Tanzania on US Independence Day, July 4, 2024, to exhibit her paintings featuring African women.
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