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
A new Moon occurs when all of the Sun’s light is reflected away from Earth, and the side of the Moon facing Earth is barely visible, as illustrated in the above NASA photo.
Chandraat, the Night of the New Moon, is a joyous celebration for Ismaili Muslims. It marks the start of a new Islamic month and is celebrated with great religious fervour. The 48th Hereditary Ismaili Imam, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III (d. July 11, 1957), in a timeless message to his community in East Africa in the mid-1900s, described Chandraat as a blessed night that brings immense spiritual happiness and inner peace. This emphasis on the spiritual significance of Chandraat serves to uplift and connect the Ismaili community to their faith.
In Canada, Ismailis observed Chandraat on December 31, 2024 — which began the month of Rajab — when the New Moon’s illumination was 1.1%. The Jamatkhanas were filled to capacity, and in Calgary, Alberta, Ismailis welcomed 2025 with a festive dinner and a lively musical show in their respective Jamatkhana social halls after the religious ceremonies.
One of the highlights of the Chandraat evening was a special announcement by the Ismaili Leaders International Forum (LIF), a platform that brings together Ismaili leaders from around the world to discuss and address community issues. In this announcement, Mawlana Hazar Imam asked his senior LIF leaders to convey his blessings to the Jamat when they met him on the joyous occasion of his birthday. He turned 88 on December 13, 2024. Sweets blessed by the Imam during the meeting were distributed in the Jamatkhana, bringing everyone overwhelming happiness as they were about to enter 2025.
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New Year 2025 decoration in the foyer of Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, December, 31, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
On celebratory days and special occasions, Mawlana Hazar Imam sends a Talika (a holy written message) to convey special blessings to the Jamat. His message, read out on December 13, 2024, touched upon the state of affairs in the world today. It included a powerful reminder to the Jamat that throughout its history, it has faced challenges with strength and inspiration, derived from the Imam’s individual spiritual bond with his followers. Importantly, he reassured us that he would always be with us, even when he was not physically able to visit us, providing a comforting sense of support.
Now, our New Year Resolution for 2025, aside from our personal resolutions, whatever they may be, should focus on further strengthening the spiritual bond with the Imam by fulfilling his aspirations of the Jamat — to live in unity, be regular in the practice of our faith and understand the faith well, be in remembrance of Allah, build bridges with other communities, educate ourselves because our faith is a faith of intellect, and be generous in spirit as well as with wealth. Specifically, the Imam wishes his Jamat nothing but the best in both material and spiritual matters.
In addition, his recommendations on what it takes to be a global citizen are worth reflecting upon as we make our resolutions and commit ourselves to our future well-being and progress, both materially and spiritually, in 2025 and beyond.
Our sister website, Barakah.com, established independently in 2017, is a treasure trove of information dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family).
Barakah logo
The word Barakah is inspired by the Arabic root b-r-k; its most fundamental meaning is ‘Blessing’, conferred by the Divine upon humankind.
You’ll find informative articles there, including the latest pieces on the Aga Khan’s sister, Princess Yasmin, and her incredible commitment over the past 40 years to eradicating Alzheimer’s, and a tribute to the late Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who received the Aga Khan on numerous occasions during his visits to India. We assure you that visiting Barakah will be not only informative but also enjoyable, strengthening your connection to the work of the Ismaili Imam through the Aga Khan Development Network, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life of those in need, mainly in Africa and Asia, irrespective of their origin, faith, or gender.
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Princess Yasmin Aga Khan addresses a Gala event to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Association and Late Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (d. December 27, 2024) receives His Highness the Aga Khan in 2013. Please click on image for link to these and other stories on Barakah.com
It will be of particular interest for Canadians to note that aside from the beautiful Ismaili Centres in Toronto and Vancouver, the Aga Khan has created a lovely museum in Toronto, the Aga Khan Museum, the first such museum in North America dedicated to Islamic Art and Culture, and the Aga Khan Garden, which is a gift to the University of Alberta and is part of the University’s magnificent Botanic Gardens in Parkland County near Edmonton. American readers might note that Houston, Texas, will house a superb purpose-built Ismaili Center. There are more than 200,000 Ismailis in North America.
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Aga Khan Garden, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Parkland County, Alberta. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg. For stories and photographs about the Garden and other travel narratives, please visit Simergphotos.
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The Ismaili Center Houston is under construction and is scheduled to be completed in late 2025. Image: Imara Houston Inc. /IPL via The Ismaili (the official website of the worldwide Ismaili community
Featured image at the top of post: Cover page of “Where Hope Takes Root” featuring selected speeches of His Highness the Aga Khan (see book review HERE), the logo of Barakah, and the Aga Khan addressing his subjects in the Pamir mountains of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province, Tajikistan, in 1995.
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 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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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.
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.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, is presented with a birthday cake at the International Centre in Toronto ahead of his birthday on December 13, during his first visit to his Ismaili Muslim followers in Canada in November 1978. Photograph: Zeenat Virani Family Collection, Vancouver.
Social media platforms are filled with unique and beautiful birthday (Salgirah) greetings, birthday cakes and artwork on the auspicious occasion of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan’s 88th birthday.
Born on December 13, 1936, he became the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismailis on July 11, 1957. At 88, Mawlana Hazar Imam is the oldest living Imam in Ismaili history, and his reign of 67 years is the second longest. His grandfather ruled for an astonishing 71 years and celebrated the Platinum Jubilee.
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A beautiful greeting on the auspicious occasion of the birthday of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan. Photograph: Social Media.
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As Ismailis celebrate their Imam’s birthday, they take pride in the historical significance of his reign, which has inspired and guided the community through the years. They are also mindful of their brothers and sisters’ difficulties in conflict areas in several parts of the world. The messages embedded in several greetings reflect the problematic situation and include inspiring prayerful notes.
Artistic greeting with a poem honouring Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan. Photograph: Social Media.
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A cake celebrating the birthday of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, with the red-green Ismaili flag containing the Aga Khan’s crest in the centre. Photograph: Social Media.
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A Swahili Song Honouring the Aga Khan on His Birthday
Swahili Song circulating on social media greeting His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan Mawlana Hazar Imam on his birthday (Salgirah or Khushiali Mubarak) and thanking him for his guidance.
We join Ismailis worldwide in conveying our gratitude to our beloved Imam on his 88th birthday for guiding his spiritual children on the Straight Path, Blessing us and always keeping us under his loving paternal-maternal care. We pray for the happiness and mushkil ahsan — protection from difficulties — of Ismailis around the world.
Artwork for Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan’s 88th Salgirah (birthday). The names Shah Karim and Imam-e-Zaman (Imam-of-the-Time) are repeated in Kufi Kairouani script and Square Kufic seven times. Calligraphy amd design by Karim Ismail, Toronto.
Premier John Horgan meets Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, on May 18, 2018, in Vancouver, on the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee. Forming the backdrop are the flags of the Ismaili Imamat, which bears the Imamat crest, Canada and British Columbia. Photograph: Province of British Columbia.
We have learnt with deep sadness that the former Premier of British Columbia, John Horgan, who served as the province’s leader from 2017 until 2022, has passed away of cancer at the age of 65. In a statement posted to X by Horgan’s longtime friend and press secretary, Sheena McConnell, the Horgan family said he passed away peacefully at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria on the morning of November 12, 2024.
Horgan’s dedication to public service is evident in his political career. He was first elected to the B.C. legislature in 2005 and became leader of the NDP in 2014. His leadership skills led to his election as B.C.’s premier in 2017. He continued to serve until 2022 when he decided to step down due to health reasons. His commitment to serving the public was further demonstrated when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed him Canada’s ambassador to Germany in November 2023.
Trudeau expressed his condolences in a statement posted to social media:
“John Horgan believed in the power of public service. He saw it as a privilege, as a way to help others and to make our country better. He loved British Columbia. As premier, he had a tenacity, passion and dedication for his work that very few could match.
B.C. Ismailis will fondly remember the late Premier, who received their 49th Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, Mawlana Hazar Imam, on May 4, 2018, upon the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee.
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Premier John Horgan meets Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, on May 18, 2018, in Vancouver, on the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee. Photograph: Province of British Columbia.
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Premier John Horgan meets Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, on May 18, 2018, in Vancouver, on the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee. Photograph: Province of British Columbia.
In a statement issued on meeting the 49th Hereditary Ismaili Imam, the Premier said:
“For the last 60 years, His Highness the Aga Khan has provided spiritual leadership to the world’s Shia Ismaili Muslims.
“In this role, he has dedicated his life to making life better for people. His work to eliminate poverty, give children early learning opportunities, and improve health care has helped people around the globe.
“It was a great honour to meet His Highness on the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee, and to welcome him to British Columbia.
“Canada’s Ismaili community has pledged to volunteer for one million hours in celebration of this special year. Our province and our country is a better place thanks to this ethic of volunteerism and compassion, shared by Ismaili people around the world.”
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Prince Rahim Aga Khan (left), representing the Ismaili Imamat, and British Columbia’s Premier John Horgan display the Accord to the audience after the signing ceremony as Princess Zahra and BC’s Minister of Forest Katrine Conroy look on. The event was hosted on September 29, 2022, at the Pan Pacific Hotel at the iconic Canada Way in Vancouver’s beautiful waterfront. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Barakah.
On September 29, 2022, before stepping down as the premier, he signed an Accord of Cooperation with Prince Rahim Aga Khan, representing his father, at the Pan Pacific Hotel at the iconic Canada Place on Vancouver’s waterfront. The Accord, a significant milestone, was deeply rooted in the 50-year history of the Ismaili Community in Canada and Mawlana Hazar Imam’s lifetime of work to improve quality of life. The Agreement, a call to action, served to advance partnership and collaboration on one of the most pressing issues of our time: the urgent and critical issue of climate change.
During this challenging time, we express our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Ellie, and their two sons, Evan and Nate.
In his Talika (written message) to his Ismaili Muslim followers, His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him and his family), mentioned that his family members at his request had assumed additional responsibilities to assist him in important areas of his work. The Aga Khan’s younger brother, Prince Amyn, his eldest child, Princess Zahra, and his three sons, Prince Rahim, Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad, have responded magnificently to the Imam’s call, showing a united front in their efforts.
Pope Francis warmly greeted Prince Rahim Aga Khan during their private audience in Lisbon, Portugal, on August 4, 2023. The Pope was visiting Lisbon for World Youth Day. Photograph: Vatican News. Please click on the image for Prince Rahim’s articles.
They have travelled worldwide to review the work of the Ismaili Imamat and attended significant events related to the expansion and development of ongoing and new projects. Prince Rahim, a graduate of Brown University, celebrated his 53rd birthday on October 12, 2024, and he is arguably perhaps the busiest among all family members. Our sister website highlights 53 years of his life through a two-part series. Please read Prince Rahim Aga Khan (1971-2021) and Prince Rahim Aga Khan (2022-2024).
Featured photo at the top of post: Prince Rahim, in the company of his father, His Highness the Aga Khan, visited an Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) project in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in 2008.
Date posted: October 12, 2024. Last updated: October 22, 2024.
We were so humbled to honour Princess Zahra, and it was an inspiration to hear about the many projects in healthcare and education that she and the Aga Khan Development Network have spearheaded globally. Through her work, Princess Zahra is building hope and trust in a world where both are greatly needed — Bonna Kol, President of Asia Society Texas Center. READ MORE
As Princess Zahra Aga Khan, eldest child of His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, celebrates her 54th birthday on September 18, we present pictorial highlights of her life from 1970 to 2024. Please read MORE.
Princess Zahra Aga Khan (centre) gets a tour of Ireland’s Maynooth University while signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the University and Aga Khan University. This first-of-its-kind partnership between AKU and an Irish university will promote collaboration in research, student and staff mobility, and knowledge exchange in mutual expertise and development areas. Photograph: Maynooth University via AKDN.
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.
Simerg’s series entitled “Books by Ismaili Authors” continues with Canadian writer M. Ali Lakhani’s book “Faith and Ethics: The Vision of the Ismaili Imamat”. We follow the same Q/A format as our recent presentations of books written by Nizar Sultan, Nargis Fazal, Nazlin Rahemtulla, Azmina Suleman, Alnasir Rajan, Shafeen Ali, Mansoor Ladha, Zeni Shariff and Shamas Nanji. We invite Ismaili authors around the world to participate in this series, regardless of when their books were published. See details of the series HERE and submit your responses to Simerg’s editor, Malik, at Simerg@aol.com.
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Simerg: What is behind the naming of the title of the book?
M. Ali Lakhani: The book is the first major survey of the ideas of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, based on his public statements over the last six decades. It illustrates how the ethos of the Ismaili Imamat is derived from the principle of tawhid, what the Imam calls an “all-encompassing unity” which is the essence of the faith of Islam. Ethics is the way of translating faith into action, of bringing our faith into the world; which is why the Imam defines ethics as the bridge between faith (din) and the world (duniya). The title of my book reflects this principal theme.
Simerg: Why would you want me or my family members to read the book, and what will we all learn from it?
Lakhani: The book will, it is hoped, explain the key messages of the Ismaili Imam to both Ismailis and to non-Ismaili audiences. It addresses the themes of, for example, tradition and modernity, the modernist ethos, Islam and the West, cosmopolitanism and pluralism, and harmonizing identity and belonging through culture.
Simerg: What inspired you to write the book?
Lakhani: I was invited by the Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) to write the book in order to expand on the ideas of my essay, published in volume 34 of my journal, Sacred Web titled ‘Living the Ethics of One’s Faith: The Aga Khan’s Integral Vision’. (Read article)
I have also spoken about these ideas at the Royal Asiatic Society (for the Temenos Academy) and have written about them for the Doha International Centre in an article titled ‘Integral Pluralism as the Basis for Harmony: The Approach of His Highness The Aga Khan’ (Read article).
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M. Ali Lakhani’s “Faith and Ethics: The Vision of the Ismaili Imamat” examines how the ideas and actions of the 49th Ismaili Imam, Prince Karim Aga Khan, provide an Islamic response to the challenges that face Muslims in the modern era.
Jacket of M. Ali Lakhani’s “FAITH AND ETHICS: The Vision of the Ismaili Imamat,” 272 pp, I.B. Tauris and the Institute of Ismaili Studies; December 2017, Illustrated edition, Feb. 28 2018.
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Simerg: How can I purchase the book and what are its available formats?
Lakhani: The book was published by the IIS and IB Tauris in 2017, and is available in hardcover format from Amazon Canada, and as a Kobo Ebook at Chapters-Indigo. Both the Kindle and hardcover editions are also available at Amazon.com, and Barnes and Nobles has the book available in hardback as well as a NOOK book. Prices vary from store to store.
[The book may be eligible for delivery within Canada in your area by July 7, 2021; please click Amazon Canada, free delivery is available with Amazon prime membership; the other option is to purchase it as an ebook, as noted above — Ed.]
Simerg: How did you find a publisher for the book?
Lakhani: The book was commissioned by the publisher, the IIS. I accepted the commission on condition that it would be my independent work of scholarship, free of any influence regarding its content by the IIS.
Simerg: Did you hire an editor, an illustrator or did you do all the work by yourself?
Lakhani: I handpicked the illustrations, including the splendid cover illustration, whose marvelous original is housed at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, and which depicts the ethical human being, a major theme of the book (as I explain in the text).
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Praise for Ali Lakhani’s Book
Lakhani’s lengthy discussion of the Aga Khan’s cosmopolitan approach to modern conflict simultaneously has the wider application of demonstrating to outsiders that Islam in the orthodox, Quranic sense is a religion of unity and justice, not of persecution and oppression…. Islam as presented in the Quran and by the Muslim sages is anything but pitiless and fanatical; it is joyful, intellectually rigorous and compassionate….The Aga Khan’s ethical teachings as presented in this book are especially applicable to the challenges presented by religious pluralism and to encouraging dialogue between religious perspectives, and to calm down reactions to polemics between religious people and secularists, but less so for conflict resolution that requires shared epistemological and ontological principles…. Lakhani’s book is valuable for the insight it offers into Islam’s rich pluralistic and tolerant tradition.” — Andrew Frisardi, American writer whose essays and reviews have appeared in numerous U.S. magazines and journals, including the Atlantic Monthly, Hudson Review, the New Republic and the New Yorker (Read full review)
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Simerg: Which was your first book and how many have you written?
Lakhani: This was my third published book of a total of four books by me. It was an honor to have this book published by the IIS on the occasion of the Imam’s Diamond Jubilee.
My other three publications are:
The Sacred Foundations of Justice in Islam contains my First Prize essay on Imam Ali from the 2001 Imam Ali International Conference. That essay and Dr. Reza Shah Kazemi’s Second Prize essay were hailed by Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr to be among the best writings in English on Imam Ali.
The Timeless Relevance of Traditional Wisdom contains many of my writings on metaphysics, religion, philosophy, tradition and modernity, gathered from my biannual book-form journal, Sacred Web: A Journal of Tradition and Modernity (www.sacredweb.com).
When the Rose Blooms (The Matheson Trust, London, 2021), my latest book, is a collection of spiritual aphorisms which I wrote more than three decades ago. The book includes beautiful illustrations which were designed by Nigel Jackson.
Synopsis of the Book
Shi`i Ismaili Muslims are unique in following a living, hereditary Imam (spiritual leader), whom they believe to be directly descended from the Prophet Muhammad. The Imam’s duty has been to guide his community with Islamic principles that apply to the needs of the time.
In this insightful book, M. Ali Lakhani examines how the ideas and actions of the current Ismaili Imam, and fourth Aga Khan, Prince Karim al-Hussaini, provide an Islamic response to the challenges that face Muslims in the modern era. Prince Karim’s programmes, implemented mainly through the broad institutional framework of the Aga Khan Development Network, are aimed at improving the quality of human life among the disadvantaged, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. Addressing global issues ranging from healthcare and education to culture and civil society, the Aga Khan’s initiatives are founded on core Islamic principles and values. This book is the first to provide an extensive survey of the Aga Khan’s aspirations, showing how the values of integrity and dignity are at the forefront of his work, with the traditional Muslim concepts of cosmopolitanism and social justice guiding his response to the stark challenges of the modern age.
At a time when criticisms and misrepresentation surrounding Islam abound, Faith and Ethics explores the religion’s universal principles and values, which the author believes can make a positive impact both among Muslims and non-Muslims. The book will be of special interest to scholars researching Islam, Muslim faith and ethics and the Ismailis, and to general readers wanting a deeper understanding of Islam.
Date posted: July 4, 2021.
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M. Ali Lakhani
M. Ali Lakhani, QC, graduated from Cambridge University and has been practising as a barrister in Vancouver for the last forty years. Interested in applying metaphysics to modern world issues, in 1998 he founded Sacred Web: A Journal of Tradition and Modernity, a leading journal in the field that has published articles by the Prince of Wales, the Dalai Lama, Karen Armstrong, Huston Smith, Seyyed Hossein Nasr and William C. Chittick, among others.
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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 Simerg@aol.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.
The Ismaili Authors’ Series so far (in chronological sequence, oldest article first):
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.
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.
“It is my sad duty to inform you of the passing away of our colleague Kutub Kassam. He served IIS [Institute of Ismaili Studies] and the Jamat most faithfully for more than thirty years. May his soul rest in peace” — Dr. Farhad Daftary, Director, IIS, London, England, March 25, 2019.
It is with deep sadness that Simerg records the passing away of Kutubdin (Kutub) Aladin Kassam, on March 24, 2019 in London, England, at the age of 75 after serving Ismaili Imamat institutions for 40 years. Of these, he spent 35 years at the Institute of Ismaili Studies for which he was congratulated and recognized by Prince Rahim Aga Khan during the Institute’s 40th anniversary celebration held in London in November 2017.
Kutub’s funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at the West London Jamatkhana. He was then buried at Brookwood cemetery in Surrey, following which post burial ceremonies of samar and zyarat were conducted for his departed soul at London’s North West Jamatkhana.
Kutub Kassam was born on January 21, 1944 in Mombasa, Kenya, and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of East Africa at a ceremony held at the University College Nairobi in 1967.
In Kenya, he contributed in developing an international curriculum on religious education for the global Ismaili community. He wrote an insightful piece about the challenges of creating the new International Religious Education Program (IREP) in a special commemorative issue celebrating sixty years of Ismaili education in Kenya.
In 1982, Kutub commenced his long tenure with the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London, where his first task was to coordinate the activities of the newly established Education Unit (later Department of Education). In that capacity, Kutub was responsible for overseeing the development of the Primary Talim materials.
From 1993 onwards, until his retirement in 2018, Kutub played the role of a researcher and senior editor where he provided invaluable input to scholars who were completing their books. He left his imprint in almost every publication that the IIS published during the past 25 years.
The pivotal role that Kutub played at the IIS as a senior editor was noted with affection by several authors in their book forewords or prefaces, showing how much they respected him for his analysis and insightful suggestions for improving their works before they got published.
For example, Dr. Aziz Esmail, author of A Scent of Sandalwood: Indo-Ismaili Religious Lyrics wrote: “Kutub Kassam helped the work through, in the final stage, by applying his meticulous regard for the conventions of language, his feel for poetry, and his fine appreciation of the subject, to the text of the work. My thanks are due to him for the sustained effort he put in, and the suggestions he made for the improvement, in several places, of the penultimate text.”
Reza Shah-Kazemi, author of Justice and Remembrance: the Spirituality of Imam Ali thanked Kutub for going beyond the normal editing of the text by contributing to its intellectual content which resulted in a significantly improved text. Mohamed Keshavjee, a member of the Board of the IIS and author of Islam, Sharia and Alternative Dispute Resolution praised Kutub for meticulously reading his manuscript and suggesting extra sources for the book.
The late Peter Willey, one of the earliest contemporary scholars on the Alamut period and author of the highly readable work Eagle’s Nest: Ismaili Castle in Iran and Syria complimented by noting that Kutub was his “ever-patient and judicious editor at The Institute of Ismaili Studies who has always been a tower of strength.” The Vancouver based Amyn Sajoo, author of Civil Society in the Muslim World: Comparative Perspectives, said he had benefited from Kutub Kassam’s “pragmatic insights and encouragement, which on more than one occasion helped keep the project on track.”
In addition to leaving his imprint in almost every IIS publication, Kutub himself co-authored and edited Shimmering Light (1996) and An Anthology of Ismaili Literature (2008).
Kutub’s influence was felt beyond the confines of the IIS. Al Noor Kassum, a prominent Ismaili leader in Tanzania, recognized Kutub’s contribution to his memoirs Africa’s Winds of Change: Memoirs of an International Tanzanian in the following terms: “….I am heavily indebted to Kutub Kassam for the highly professional input that he has provided in every chapter of the book with in-depth analysis that could only have been done by someone of his calibre. I am truly, truly grateful to him because, as a result, I have learnt a great deal, too.”
Aside from providing editorial expertise to authors, Kutub was himself a prolific writer and contributed rich literary articles and poems that appeared in numerous Ismaili publications around the world.
As our tribute to an inspiring and illuminating Ismaili individual of the modern times who served the Imamat for four decades, we bring you this beautiful poem by Kutub that we discovered in the Commemorative Issue 1977-1978: Celebrating Sixty Years of Ismaili Education in Kenya.
Come, who will walk with me?
By KUTUB KASSAM (1944-2019)
Come, who will walk with me? A path there is over hills and dales, Through avenues of purple, green and gold; It pauses not where the thickets press, Nor hesitates To plunge into the forest gloom.
A place there is concealed Of leaf and bough and tender grass, Where the enraptured birds sing and dance; In the still waters of pool appears The sky inverted, That conceals deeper depths.
Come, will you walk with me? Leave all cares and sorrows behind; All ambition, ornament and pride renounce; Property, wealth, work, all abandon: Come companion, Put on your wings and let us fly.
Away from this world of Fever and fret and fear of death, This wretched city where men toil oppressed And the memories of innocence drown Where even the best Lack compassion or conviction;
To another world where Man and bird and beast dwell free In accordance with love, beauty and truth, Where birth and death, sun and moon Declare the life A continuous spiritual ecstasy.
Kutub Kassam’s impact on Ismaili Jamats through his work at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London will last for generations and he will be deeply missed.
We join the Director and staff of the Institute of Ismaili Studies in praying for the eternal peace of the soul of Kutub Kassam. We convey our heartfelt condolences to Kutub’s family members, colleagues and friends around the world.
Date posted: March 25, 2019. Last updated: April 1, 2019 (updated portrait photo of the Late Kutub Kassam).
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