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
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.
We are deeply sad to record the passing of (Vazirbanoo) Amina Anil Ishani in Nairobi, Kenya, on February 9, 2024, at the age of 77. Her funeral was held on February 13, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya. Amina is survived by her husband (Vazir) Anil Ishani, her daughters Shaheen Ishani and Karina Govindji, son-in-law Rizwan Govindji and grandchildren Iman, Zahra, Ziyana, Khalil and Zaki.
Amina led a very rich and purposeful life of honorary service to the Ismaili Muslim community in the UK and Kenya. Professionally, she was a Classical Homeopath for 3 decades after completing her studies at the London School of Classical Homeopathy in 1990.
On a personal level, I initially knew of Amina Ishani mainly through her husband Anil, who assumed important leadership roles in the Ismaili Community including as a member of the Board of Governors of the Institute of Ismaili Studies, Chairman of Aga Khan Foundation (UK), Convenor of the Constitution Review Committee, President of the Aga Khan National Council for the UK and Chairman of the Leaders International Forum. All these appointments were made by Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan. For his decades of service to the Ismaili community, he was bestowed with the title of Vazir in 1973.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, and Begum Salimah Aga Khan, pictured in 1979 with Vazir Anil and Vazirbanoo Amina Ishani and their two daughters Shaheen and Karina at their residence “Nurabad”. Photograph: Ishani Family Collection.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, pictured in 1985 with Vazir Anil and Vazirbanoo Amina and her parents at the “Nurabad” residence. Photograph: Ishani Family Collection.
The magnificent work that Amina Ishani did for the Ismaili community began unfolding for me in 2011 when she connected with me by sending me the full script of a play on the Ismaili intellectual giant Nasir Khusraw, along with a full video of the play entitled “The Ruby Shines On” that had been shown to audiences in Kenya. For me, this was a singularly important contribution to Simerg; it was a moment of special pride to be able to host a finely produced play of an outstanding historical personality such as Nasir Khushaw. Amina generously provided the entire script of the play to be downloaded for others around the world to create their productions in their local areas, if they so chose.
Although her profile revealed the work she had done for Ismaili Institutions, the full extent of her contribution to the UK Ismaili community became known to me when I spent time with my parents in Vancouver. My late parents — Jehangir and Malek Merchant — described Vazirbanoo’s dedication and dynamism in all aspects of her services to the Jamat (community). They had worked hand in hand with Amina for the religious education development of Ismaili children in the UK. For example, before nursery provision in Bait-ul-Ilm’s existed, Amina led a pilot for Nursery Religious education in the UK and she participated in the ongoing teacher development program as well as mentored religious education teachers in the UK. She was also actively engaged in the UK in the formation of Misbah-al-Ilm. In addition to writing the script and producing Nasir Khushraw’s play, “The Ruby Shines On”, she wrote scripts — as well as produced and directed — many other plays including “And Then There Was Light — Light upon Light”, “The Conference of the Birds”, “Keeping a Promise”, “Kingdom of Animals” and “Bilal”. Through these plays, that linked her creativity with spirituality, she was able to touch the hearts of many hundreds of Jamati members who attended these productions. Her plays were performed in Kenya after she moved there in 1997. Also during her time in Nairobi, she provided invaluable support as Anil Ishani took up the role of Resident Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network for Kenya between 1998 – 2007.
Vazir Anil and Vazirbanoo Amina Ishani. Photograph: Ishani Family Collection.
Anil and Amina Ishani pictured with their family members in a photo taken in 2019. Photograph: Ishani Family Collection.
Amina, born on January 13, 1947, was daughter of late Ebrahim and Ashraf Patel. She grew up in Mumbai and moved to Nairobi after her marriage to Anil Ishani in 1970. Later during the same year, she moved to the UK. She completed a BA Hons degree in French and Philosophy and her interest in Homeopathy led her to study Classical Homeopathy at the London School of Classical Homeopathy. Amina began practicing as a Classical Homeopathy in 1990 and continued doing so for the next 30 years. She and her husband moved back to Kenya in 1997 where she led homeopathy children’s clinics and became a lecturer of Homeopathic medicine.
Amina’s interests were varied. She studied cooking, beauty therapy, counselling, Spanish, took singing and piano lessons and later learned Bridge (3 levels.) As an educator, she gave engaging talks on the philosophy of Du’a (the Ismaili prayer) in Kenya and Dubai, Indian Cooking and Women’s empowerment. She also created a recipe book during the Covid-19 lockdown that circulated globally. Amina loved to travel, had a deep thirst for learning and knowledge sharing and was an avid wildlife and nature lover.
Amina Ishani leaves behind a legacy of service to the Ismaili community as well as the communities where she resided. Her impact was enormous and we express our gratitude to her for the wonderful and inspirational work that she did during her lifetime.
We convey our deep condolences to Vazir Anil and his family on the passing of their beloved Vazirbanno Amina. We pray that her soul may rest in eternal peace, and that the family faces her loss with courage and fortitude.
Date posted: March 08, 2024.
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Alwaeza Raisaheba Maleksultan Jehangir Merchant, or Mrs. Merchant as she was known among her students in Africa and the UK, was buried Thursday February 4, 2021, at the same cemetery as her husband Jehangir. Here she is seen visiting his grave shortly after he passed away May 27, 2018. Photo: Malik Merchant / Simerg.
By SHIRAZ PRADHAN
Many thoughts come to mind as I attend Mrs. Merchant’s funeral online from the UK. She passed away on January 21, 2021, at the age of 89, on the same day she was admitted to the hospital.
I have fond memories of the time I had spent working with her at 3-5 Palace Gate in London. While teaching Bait-ul-Ilm classes, I benefited immensely from her knowledge and wisdom.
The Covid-19 pandemic, which also took Mrs. Merchant’s life, is unprecedented and is having a profound impact on our lives. One such impact is that we cannot attend or participate in funerals in the customary way at this time. However, technology has allowed us to participate in the funeral ceremonies from anywhere in the world, albeit in a different manner.
Mrs. Merchant’s face was visible to all of us who were watching throughout the 30-minute ceremony that included Salwats, the recitation of the prayer Astaghfirullahi Rabbi Wa Atubu Ilaiyhi (Verily, I seek the forgiveness of Allah, who is my Lord and Sustainer, and I turn to Him in repentance) as well as verses from Ginans and profound quotes of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III (d. July 11, 1957).
There are guidelines, which vary from one province to another, about the number of people who can be present for the funeral (in Vancouver, the limit is 6 family members) and burial ceremonies at the cemetery (4 family members), masks are mandatory as is social distancing, and if a person had died of Covid-19 the casket must remain closed unless the body has been embalmed.
The six individuals from the family who were present at the Burnaby Lake Jamatkhana were Mrs. Merchant’s son Fahar and his wife Nina, Shellina (fiancé of youngest son Alnoor, who could not attend from the UK), nieces Habiba and Sherezad, and Nasreen, daughter of the family’s extremely close friend Mrs. Sakerkhanu Velji whose husband, Mr. Sadru Velji, was buried just 48 hours earlier on February 2. Due to extraordinary circumstances as well as Mawlana Hazar Imam’s guidance expressing his desire for his Murids to follow public health guidelines, Mrs. Merchant’s eldest son Abdulmalik (Malik) and his daughter Nurin were not able to travel for the funeral.
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A reflection by Malik and Nurin Merchant on their mum/grandmother . Please click on image for enlargement.
Following the completion of the funeral ceremonies, which has been dubbed as Rites of Passage, volunteers wheeled the casket across the Jamatkhana Hall into the waiting hearse to the calling of the Muslim Shahadah Lailaha illallah Muhammad ur Rasulullah (I bear witness that there is no deity but God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God) recited by one person, and repeated by the same person as there was no one lined up to carry or touch the coffin (Janazah) due to Covid-19. The live streaming stopped once the coffin left the building into the waiting car. This was truly an emotional send-off for us watching from other parts of the world.
After the four male members returned from the cemetery, Zyarat and Samar ceremonies were performed. Normally, these would be held during the evening Jamatkhana ceremonies where hundreds of people would be able to participate and recite special prayers for the soul of the deceased. Jamatkhanas have been closed across Canada for the last several weeks, as is the case in many parts of the world.
Jamatkhanas in Canada have never before been closed for such an extended period of time. This past year has been particularly difficult for all of us everywhere, and one can imagine its impact on those who attended Jamatkhana regularly.
However, there are some collateral benefits of the pandemic. With the blessings of Mawlana Hazar Imam, our faith has been strengthened. Jamats have come together across the world, helping one another. The magnificent work done by the volunteers has impacted every institution within the Jamat — from arts and culture to economic to health to religious education to social welfare boards and the youth. The undertaking has been enormous. The organization of funerals and the work of the funeral, or the mayat/ghusal committee is simply incredible. Keeping everyone safe under our current circumstance where a virus can spread rapidly is demanding and requires additional hours of care, diligence, organization and work to meet strict protocols and provincial guidelines.
At the onset of Covid-19 pandemic 2020, things looked bleak and hopeless. But, human ingenuity was at work. Scientists all across the world set to work to come-up with vaccines in record time in the fight against the Covid-19. We saw as we entered 2021 that highly effective vaccines have been formulated, and with proper and fair distribution will give hope to humanity in the coming months.
I am grateful that I have been able to participate in Malekbai’s funeral from the UK and I pray that Hazar Imam bless her with Noorani Deedar and grant the family the strength to bear this loss. Ameen and Ya Ali Madad.
A Dignified and Safe Rites of Passage for Mrs. Merchant
Alwaeza Raisaheba Maleksultan Jehangir Merchant (June 9, 1931 – January 21, 2021), age 89. Photo: Shellina Karmali.
MOSTLY UNEDITED – ED.
Feriyal Merchant (USA): Ya Ali Madad, Dear family. My sister Kulsum Laiwalla and myself from Silicon Valley CA watched the blessed last rites and ceremonies of our beloved Malek Sultan Aunty who was lying so peacefully in the prayer hall as the heartfelt spiritual paragraph from our Beloved Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah’s memoirs was read by her son Fahar, souful ginans and powerful Salwats recited. Though the hall had a few family physical presence but it was filled with spiritual connections and prayers from all over the world.
Dear Malek Aunty today your earthly body said goodbye, your soul on speedy wings have taken flight to Heavenly abode. You will be missed by many but always fondly remember. As I saw you lie you left me with thoughts of wisdom as you always do. This is a journey all must take alone so be prepared so there is after glow of smile and peace on your face as I saw on yours. Shukar Mowla Alhamdullilah.
Salim and Nevyn Kanji (Toronto):Today, we participated in a beautiful and simple funeral service for our teacher. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. May your mom’s soul rest in eternal peace. May Hazar Imam give you lots of strength and courage to face this great loss. Remember, we are always here for you and your family.
Amin Hooda (Ottawa): Thanks for your efforts at the time when there is a huge personal and family`s loss. Humbled to have attended the live video stream, that was completed in less than half hour, through the recitation of tasbihs and ginans; it was an opportunity for me to benefit from this spiritual connection that you mum, alongside your dad, as a lifelong teacher selflessly nurtured for so many individuals and jamat at large, through their friendship and students. Shukar.
(Nahid) Begum Nurmohamed Shariff and family: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sending me the invite as I was very fond of both mum and dad. They were wonderful people and will live on through you all but also their wider family — those that they taught selflessly over the years with love and compassion. Your mum and I had a bond and I loved and respected her dearly. She is in a wonderful place. Mawla grant her his noorani didar and rest her soul in eternal peace. Ameen. Sending your whole family lots of love and prayers.
Julián Arturo Zapata (Colombia, South America): Querido Hermano Abdulmalik, muy linda la ceremonia del funeral de tu noble Madre Maliksultan. Abrazos Fraternales desde Colombia el Alamut latinoamericano
Translation: Dear Brother Abdulmalik, the funeral ceremony of your noble Mother Maleksultan is very nice. Fraternal hugs from Colombia, the Latin American Alamut.
Shiraz Nasser: Thank you for inviting us to participate in funeral ceremony. Her soul has merged with the Noor. It is time for spiritual happiness. May Mawla accept all your wonderful sewa. Stay safe, healthy, happy, united and continue your wonderful family tradition of spiritually intellect sewa in humility. Love to all.
Mrs. Merchant’s family members pictured on February 4, 2021 in the courtyard of the Burnaby Lake Jamatkhana during the funeral ceremonies held for her at the Jamatkhana. Left to right: Nina and Fahar Merchant, Shellina Karmali, Habiba and Alnashir Rashid, and Sherezad Zinna.
Shariffa Keshavjee (Kenya): Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un “Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return.” Thank you for inviting me to join in on your mum’s farewell. May her soul go with the light into Asal Makan. May you get peace and sabar, patience. I once read that sabar is illumination from within, where experiencing patience gives birth to a space. In that space Rab is present.
Alnoor Abdulla (Vancouver): I appreciate and feel privileged to participate. It was a spiritual ceremony. She will always remain special and everlasting in my mind.
Rozmin Fazal (UK): Thank you for sharing the live link to mum’s Mayyat ceremony. It was such a dignified ceremony. May Mowla rest her soul in eternal peace and grant you and the family strength to be able to cope with the loss. Amen.
Anonymous (England): May Mawlana Hazar Imam bless your mum’s soul and may she rest in eternal peace. Ameen. She looked good and at peace. Lovely that everyone there participated individually. I am praying for your mum’s soul and dad. I’m praying for you and the family to have peace in your heart and in your lives.
Abdul Remtulla (Edmonton): Thank you for your invitation to attend on line ceremony. We did and bid her goodbyes. May her soul rest in eternal Peace, Ameen, Warm wishes and Ya Ali Madad.
Azy or Yasmin (Toronto): Thank you for inviting me to participate in the ceremony. I feel honoured indeed. She looked very very peaceful. We lost a great person from the earth but Mowla welcomed her home. Mowla bless her soul with Noorani Didar and bless you and the entire family with strength to face this tremendous loss. Amen.
Muslim Harji (Montreal): Thank you for considering us as a part of your family. Both Nevin and myself attended Maa’s Mayat ceremony and were very impressed with the way it was conducted. We pray for her soul to rest in eternal peace. Ameen Love, Light & Cheers
Nizar Motani (USA):I was able to join the livestream from the beginning. From all the tributes to mourn and celebrate your mother’s amazing service, her endearing personality, and her kind nature — she was clearly an ANGELIC SOUL and is resting in the ABODE of PEACE next to her beloved husband.
Zarina Moosa (Toronto): Thank you for letting me participate in the funeral ceremony of your beloved mother. It was such a dignified and beautiful ceremony fit for an equally dignified and beautiful lady. Shukhar. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. With prayers in my heart for all of you.
Karima, Nasim, Shamshad and Nuryn (Vancouver): Thank you letting us watch, Malekabai’s funeral today. She is at peace, and may Mowla rests her soul in eternal peace, Amen.
Date posted: February 5, 2021. Last updated: February 6, 2021 (Jamatkhana photo added with a reflection by Malik and Nurin).
We welcome feedback from our readers. Please complete the LEAVE A REPLY form below or click Leave a comment. Your letter may be edited for length and brevity, and is subject to moderation.
Shiraz Pradhan
About the author: Shiraz Pradhan is a professional engineer, writer and philosopher. A regular contributor to this website, Shiraz has a keen interest in Judaeo-Christian History, Islamic Studies, Sufism and philosophies of the Vedas and Upanishads. He is currently completing a book titles Amarapuri, the Abode of Eternity. He is the Chairman of the Association of the Study of Ginans which specializes in the preservation, study and research of the ancient Ismaili Ginans (hymns). Shiraz currently lives in the UK with his family.
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for inviting us to participate in funeral ceremony. Her soul has merged with the Noor. It is time for spiritual happiness. May Mawla accept all your wonderful sewa. Stay safe, healthy, happy, united and continue your wonderful family tradition of spiritually intellect sewa in humility. Love to all.
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