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
On a sunny, hot afternoon on July 8, 2026, renowned artist Amin Gulgee, whom I previously interviewed for this website and who was featured in Simerg’s special series on books by Ismaili authors, visited the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) in Oxford, UK, for the first time. He came to see his copper sculpture, “Raga Continuum,” which was a gift to the OCIS from the Government of Pakistan and was permanently displayed at the Centre in 2025. Upon his arrival, Amin was warmly welcomed by Dr. Farhan Ahmad Nizami, the Director of OCIS, as well as by scholars and fellows from the Centre. A delegation from the Pakistan High Commission in London was also present for the occasion.
Energetically, the Karachi-based artist described how “Raga Continuum” is created using the letters from a line of Surah Al-‘Alaq, written in the Naskh script of Arabic. He mentioned that in his earlier works from this series, the line was legible, but now it is not. The artist explained, “I am trying to capture its essence.” He added that he has been using this specific line for over three decades. What fascinates him, he noted, is not merely the act of writing, but rather the concepts of repetition and form.
Dr. Farhan Ahmad Nizami, the Director of Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (left), welcomes Ismaili artist Amin Gulgee (centre) during Gulgee’s visit to Oxford to see his sculpture Raga Continuum, which was gifted to the OCIS by the Government of Pakistan. Photograph: Aniza Meghani.
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Amin Gulgee introduces his bronze sculpture Raga Continuum to the assembled academic community during his visit to OCIS. Photograph: Aniza Meghani
After the presentation, Amin’s infectious laughter echoed through the hall as he continued discussing his ideas with the director and the assembled academics over tea. He was then taken on a tour of the institution’s expansive halls and beautiful gardens. The OCIS, established in 1985, focuses on the multidisciplinary study of Islamic civilizations, culture, and contemporary Muslim societies.
Amin Gulgee on a tour of the OCIS’s beautiful gardens. Photograph: Aniza Meghani
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Amin Gulgee with the academic community and guests who attended his presentation of the bronze sculpture Raga Continuum at the OCIS. Photograph: Aniza Meghani
At the end of his guided tour, Amin expressed his gratitude to his hosts, highlighting the significance of such an institution in today’s world. “I am so grateful that you exist, especially given the nature of the times we live in,” he stated.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, addresses his spiritual children worldwide in the presence of his leaders on the occasion of his Takht-nishini at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat. The ceremony was relayed live to Ismailis gathered in Jamatkhanas around the world on February 11, 2025. Photograph: Akbar Hakim / The Ismaili.
On the occasion of the Takht-nishini ceremony, a gift was presented to our beloved Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Rahim al Hussaini Aga Khan by the global Ismaili jamat. This gift was a manuscript titled Munajat Hazrat ‘Ali amir al-mu’minin. The Arabic text, accompanied by the Persian translation, comprises a selection of silent or whispered prayers of our first Imam, Hazrat Mawlana ‘Ali (peace be upon him), in supplication to Allah.
The six leaves of the manuscript are calligraphed in elegant nasta‘liq with 12 lines of text per page. The text is surrounded by margins beautifully decorated in gold with floral, plant and animal motifs.
PHOTOS AND DETAILS OF THE MANUSCRIPT PRESENTED TO PRINCE RAHIM AGA KHAN
The opening folio of the manuscript of the Munajat of Hazrat Ali Amir al-mu’minin (Commander of the faithful) gifted to Mawlana Shah Rahim, His Highness the Aga Khan, on the occasion of his enthronement as the 50th Ismaili Imam in Lisbon on February 11, 2025. The illuminated rectangular headpiece provides the title of the manuscript. Below the Arabic text, the Persian translation is written in pink script.
The final folio provides the name of the calligrapher and date of copying: it was copied by the outstanding Safavid calligrapher, Rustam ‘Ali Shahi, and is dated AH 966 (equivalent to 1558-59 of the Common Era). Rustam ‘Ali Shahi worked under the patronage of the Safavid princes, Bahram Mirza and his son Ibrahim Mirza, both of whom are remembered for their involvement with cultural and artistic activities, and the commissioning of deluxe manuscripts.
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The final folio of the manuscript of the Munajat of Hazrat Ali Amir al-mu’minin (commander of the faithful) gifted to Mawlana Shah Rahim, His Highness the Aga Khan, on the occasion of his enthronement as the 50th Imam of the Ismailis in Lisbon on February 11, 2025. This page includes the name of the calligrapher, Rustam Ali Shahi, and the date of the manuscript (AH 966).
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A detail of the the final folio of the manuscript of the Munajat of Hazrat Ali Amir al-mu’minin (Commander of the faithful) gifted to Mawlana Shah Rahim, His Highness the Aga Khan, on the occasion of his enthronement as the 50th Imam of the Ismailis in Lisbon on February 11, 2025. As noted in the previous image, the folio provides the name of the calligrapher and the date of copy; note the cockerel in the border below the text.
The Munajat reflects the profound significance of prayer and supplication at the heart of the ‘Alid tradition. The supplications, finely calligraphed on the folios, present the direct link that exists between the Imam and the Divine Lord, with the Imams as the bearers of the Divine Light (Nur), and those who receive Divine help and inspiration.
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A folio of the manuscript of the Munajat of Hazrat Ali Amir al-mu’minin (Commander of the faithful) gifted to Mawlana Shah Rahim, His Highness the Aga Khan, on the occasion of his enthronement as the 50th Imam of the Ismailis in Lisbon on February 11, 2025. The text contained within an illuminated rectangular border is surrounded by margins decorated in gold with floral, plant, animal and bird motifs.
This manuscript highlights the unbroken link that connects our beloved fiftieth Imam Shah Rahim al Hussaini to our first Imam, Hazrat ‘Ali: a unique historical and spiritual continuum, the Nur-i Imamat, that goes back over 1,400 years, generation upon generation, ‘Light upon Light’. Our tradition is the tradition of Hazrat ‘Ali; in the words of our 49th Imam Shah Karim Shah: “…the tradition of our tariqah…is the tradition of Hazrat ‘Ali: a thinking Islam and a spiritual Islam.” (May 14, 1992).
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Folios of the manuscript of the Munajat of Hazrat Ali Amir al-mu’minin (Commander of the faithful) gifted to Mawlana Shah Rahim, His Highness the Aga Khan, on the occasion of his enthronement as the 50th Imam of the Ismailis in Lisbon on February 11, 2025. On the bottom right of the left page (green borders), the outline of a lion about to pounce on a deer can be seen. The borders on these two pages depict a rabbit and deer amongst the flowers and vegetation.
This manuscript also illustrates a further significant concept: that of stewardship of the earth. Surrounding the textual supplications are exquisite borders and margins filled with floral and animal motifs: there are trees, flowers, storks, deer, gazelles, lions and rabbits. All these motifs illustrate the direct link between humankind and the natural world around us. As custodians of Allah’s creation, this manuscript, sublimely reflects the notion of humankind’s need to live in harmony with, and responsibility for, the environment and the natural world.
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A folio of the manuscript of the Munajat of Hazrat Ali Amir al-mu’minin (Commander of the faithful) gifted to Mawlana Shah Rahim, His Highness the Aga Khan, on the occasion of his enthronement as the 50th Imam of the Ismailis in Lisbon on February 11, 2025. The borders on this page of the manuscript show a rabbit and deer among the vegetation.
Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Rahim al Hussaini is our spiritual mother and father and the global Jamat are the Imam’s spiritual children. And it is this spiritual bond that allows us to have the strength, confidence, and courage to face the problems of everyday life, and which ties each one of us to the Imam-of-the-time, and to each other. This gift expresses our love, devotion, humility and shukrana to our beloved Mawlana Hazar Imam, as he assumes the mantle of Imamat, continuing the guidance, love, care, and effort to protect and uplift the Jamat that has been the responsibility of the Imams since the time of Hazrat ‘Ali.
Date posted: February 18, 2025.
Note: A version of this post appears on our sister website, Barakah, which is dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan.
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WATCH A VIDEO OF THE GIFT
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As Shia Ismaili Muslims in Canada and around the world commemorate the birth anniversary of their first Imam, Hazrat Ali, our sister website, Barakah, presents a a special post about a Mughal panel that was presented to His Highness the Aga Khan on the auspicious occasion of his 87th birthday, December 13, 2023. The panel bears an invocation to Imam Ali, from whom the Aga Khan is directly descended. Please click NAD-E ‘ALI to read more about the significance of this “wonderful” and “special” artistic work from the 16/17th century.
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