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 Ismaili Imamat is a supra-national entity, representing the succession of Imams since the time of the Prophet Muhammad.” Mawlana Shah Karim, His Highness the Aga Khan (IV), spoke these words in the Canadian Parliament in 2014. He passed away in Lisbon on February 4, 2025, at the age of 88.
The world has just witnessed his eldest son, Mawlana Shah Rahim, His Highness the Aga Khan (V), succeed to the throne of Imamat after him. This succession in the Prophet’s progeny is one of two Weighty Matters mentioned in a famous tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him and his progeny), the other being the Holy Qur’an.
In the following message, the new Imam, 50th in direct lineage from Imam Ali, the first Imam, reflects on events that followed his father’s passing, which he described as “fitting, simple and beautiful.” The new Imam also expresses his profound gratitude to the community, its leaders, and volunteers for the flawless manner in which the events took place in Lisbon and Aswan.
Message from Mawlana Hazar Imam, Shah Rahim Al Hussaini
“Our tradition of volunteer service and its effectiveness is a source of enormous strength for our community, and I feel fortunate to be able to call on this for the benefit of my Jamat” — Prince Rahim Aga Khan, February 18, 2025.
The past two weeks have been deeply emotional for the Ismaili community, and for all those around the world who had known my father or been touched by his work. I am awed by the outpourings of affection and respect for my father and the impact he made during his lifetime. His is indeed an immense legacy for us all to carry on.
On behalf of my family and me, I would like to express our deepest gratitude and admiration for the outstanding way in which our community immediately and seamlessly arranged the events that took place in Lisbon and Aswan. Beyond the flawless execution of the events themselves, millions of people in over 70 countries were able to participate through video streaming, images, and narration on The Ismaili digital channels.
Well done to all invoved…Our tradition of volunteer service and its effectiveness is a source of enormous strength for our community, and I feel fortunate to be able to call on this for the benefit of my Jamat — Prince Rahim Aga Khan, February 18, 2025.
Organising this involved a small number of our staff, and a huge number of volunteers working around the clock, with a clear unifying goal of holding a graceful series of events made widely accessible to the community wherever physically possible. This was done with sensitivity and care for all those participating.
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The late Prince Karim Aga Khan IV’s casket is carried to the mausoleum of his grandfather, Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III, where he was interred, Aswan, Egypt, February 9, 2025. Photograph: Akbar Hakim / IPL.
My uncle, siblings, our children, and I see and appreciate all those who were involved – not just the leaders who were dealing directly with my family and me, but every single person who contributed, wherever they are.
Our tradition of volunteer service and its effectiveness is a source of enormous strength for our community, and I feel fortunate to be able to call on this for the benefit of my Jamat.
Beyond the flawless execution of the events themselves, millions of people in over 70 countries were able to participate through video streaming, images, and narration on The Ismaili digital channels — Prince Rahim Aga Khan, February 18, 2025.
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Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, signs the Ismaili Constitution in his name at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat, the Headquarters of the Imamat in Lisbon on the historic occasion of his Takht-nishini (ceremonial installation), February 11, 2025. Photograph: Akbar Hakim / The Ismaili.
Well done to all involved, and especially to the handful of senior leaders who worked day and night to orchestrate all of this, and who provided tremendous support to my family and stable leadership to the community at this critical and difficult time. Knowing that we can rely on each other at a time like this is a source of the greatest comfort and reassurance.
My sincerest thanks again to all those involved in making the events of the last two weeks fitting, simple, and beautiful.
Aga Khan
Date posted: February 20, 2025. Last updated: April 05, 2025.
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A few days ago, I found myself deeply immersed in the solemnity of the funeral ceremony of the 49th Ismaili Imam, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon, Portugal, on February 8, 2025. The ceremony, a profound and significant event in the Ismaili Jamat (community), was relayed live worldwide through Ismaili.TV and was simultaneously shown to Ismailis around the world in their respective Jamatkhanas. I watched it in Calgary as a live event on Ismaili.TV and then joined other community members in a nearby Jamatkhana to watch it again, each moment filled with reverence, respect, and intense emotions.
We were informed that after the burial in Aswan, Egypt, on the following day, February 9, a special Homage Ceremony was scheduled at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon on February 11. This event was about introducing the 50th Imam, Mawlana Shah Rahim, to the Ismaili world and receiving his message (Farman).
However, the Ismaili leadership requested that Mawlana Shah Rahim stage the Homage Ceremony as a Takht-nishini ceremony, similar to his father’s formal installation in East African and South Asian countries in 1957-58. The new Imam graciously agreed, and what a beautiful and memorable day February 11, 2025, turned out to be — a day that will be etched in our memories forever, with its awe-inspiring grandeur and profound religious significance. A day earlier, Prince Rahim was conferred the title of His Highness by His Majesty King Charles III.
Once again, like on the funeral day, Ismailis gathered in Jamatkhanas to watch the private Takht-nishini ceremony, relayed live from Lisbon at 11:00 AM GMT. Some parts of Canada had a delayed viewing time because the live transmission conflicted with the early morning meditational prayers.
The Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon was the setting for a crucial and historic day for the Ismaili Muslims.
The pre-ceremony video presentation was outstanding and educational. There was rapt attention from everyone in the Jamatkhana. It’s worth noting that even children as young as 8 years old were able to follow and learn immensely about the significance of Takht-nishini, the historical and spiritual concept of Imamat, and the description of a beautiful manuscript of prayers by Hazrat Ali, which was going to be presented to Mawlana Shah Rahim.
From a symbolic standpoint, there were similarities between the 1957 and February 11, 2025 ceremonies. After Mawlana Shah Rahim had taken his seat, the leaders of the Jamat presented to Hazar Imam the khilat (robe) of the preceding 49th Imam, which had been introduced during his Golden Jubilee on July 11, 2007 — a historic event that was transmitted live from Aiglemont, France.
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The khilat (robe) worn by the three Imams in recent Ismaili history. L to R: Red robe worn by the 48th Imam, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III; the khilat then passed to his successor 49th Imam Mawlana Shah Karim Aga Khan IV, who wore it for 50 years before his Golden Jubilee in 2007 when it was replaced with a white robe with golden embroidery; the 50th Imam, Mawlana Shah Rahim, wore his late father’s Khilat for the first time on his Takht-nishini on February 11, 2025. Photo collage: Malik Merchant / Barakah.
For 50 years until the Golden Jubilee, the 49th Imam wore a red-grey robe of his grandfather during Darbars and other prominent community mulaqats. The robe had been presented to him during his Takht-nishini in 1957 in East Africa. Two other items from the 1957 Takht-nishini were a chain bearing the names of 50 Imams instead of 49 Imams and a signet ring symbolizing the transfer of the office of Imamat. Mawlana Shah Rahim took the ring from the tray and placed it on his finger.
A rendition of the Nashid al-Imamah (the Ismaili anthem) was played, and the ceremonial symbols of authority — the Holy Qur’an, the Ismaili Constitution, a ceremonial sword, an intricate parasol, and an inkwell — were presented to Mawlana Shah Rahim.
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Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, signs the Ismaili Constitution in his name at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat, the Headquarters of the Imamat in Lisbon on the historic occasion of his Takht-nishini (ceremonial installation), February 11, 2025. Photograph: Akbar Hakim / The Ismaili.
The items signify the inheritance of authority and Nur (light), which, unbroken for more than 1400 years, will continue to illuminate the Ismailis’ path in the decades to come. Selected verses of the Holy Qur’an were recited, including ayat al-Nur (24:35), which, translated, says:
God is the light of the heavens and the earth. His light is like a niche in which is a lantern, The lantern in a glass, The glass like a shimmering star, Kindled from a blessed tree, An olive, neither of the East nor of the West, Its oil almost aglow, though untouched by fire. Light upon light! God guides to His light whomever He wills, And strikes parables for mankind. God has knowledge of all things.
The recitation was followed by renditions of qasidas in Arabic, Persian, Dari, and a South Asian munajat, reflecting the community’s diverse cultural and religious traditions. The munajat was first composed in 1885 on the occasion of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah His Highness the Aga Khan III’s enthronement ceremony in Mumbai. With its profound historical significance, the verses recited reflected the Imamat’s transition from Mawlana Shah Karim to Mawlana Shah Rahim.
All in attendance then rose, and upon the Imam’s permission, Malik Talib, the Chairman of the Ismaili Leaders International Forum (LIF), offered an insightful loyalty address on behalf of the global Jamat. His address was not just outstanding but also a significant moment and a historical milestone, as he captured the essence of Ismaili history and mentioned the key theological doctrine of the concept of Imamat. He made pledges in which he submitted the Jamat’s love, devotion, and dedication to the Imam-of-the-Time and pledged the Jamat’s commitment to and support for all the Imam’s endeavours.
Each Ismaili Council President, 22 in all, representing their countries in turn submitted bayʿa (oath of allegiance) to Mawlana Hazar Imam on behalf of their jurisdiction Jamats.
Hazar Imam then signed a constitutional instrument ordained on December 13, 1986, on Mawlana Shah Karim’s 50th birthday.
A hush fell upon the room as the Imam stepped forward to address his Jamat for the first time. Mawlana Hazar Imam graciously delivered a Farman Mubarak (edict or guidance) to assembled leaders and the Jamat worldwide. In this significant address, he accepted the Jamat’s pledges, paid tribute to his late father, thanked his family for their presence and support, and spoke of his priorities for the Jamat. He earnestly offered prayers for mushkil-asan (protection from difficulties), a comforting reminder of his unwavering care, and reassured his spiritual children that they were always with him.
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Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, addresses his worldwide followers in a live address on the momentous occasion of his Takht-nishini or ceremonial installation at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat. Ismailis gathered in their respective Jamatkhanas and watched the ceremony as their National Council leaders represented them in the presence of the Imam to give their Imam the oath of allegiance; February 11, 2025. Photograph: Akbar Hakim / The Ismaili.
He pledged to dedicate his life to caring for the Ismaili Jamat’s spiritual and material well-being. He spoke of the principles of the Ismaili Muslim faith, the importance of balancing worldly and spiritual matters, and the regular practice of the faith. His Farman focused on universal concepts of peace, tolerance, inclusion and support for those in need. He said he wants his Jamat to be loyal and active citizens of the countries in which they live and urged us to lead by example in matters related to climate change, reminding us of the global impact of our actions. Leaders of the Jamat then humbly submitted a gift on behalf of the global Jamat to commemorate the historic moment of Mawlana Shah Rahim al-Hussaini Hazar Imam’s Takht-nishini.
The gift is a manuscript titled Munajat Hazrat Ali Amir al-Mu’minin, comprising a selection of silent or whispered prayers of our first Imam, Hazrat Ali (peace be upon him). The text is in Arabic, accompanied by the Persian translation, and the six folios of the manuscript are exquisitely adorned in gold with intricate plant and animal motifs, a testament to the artistic prowess of the time. It is dated to 1558-59 CE.
The manuscript reflects the profound significance of prayer and supplication at the heart of the Alid tradition. Its floral and animal motifs also suggest the importance of stewardship of our earthly environment and living in harmony with the natural world. It also highlights the connection between Mawlana Hazar Imam and his ancestor, Hazrat Ali, from whom he inherited the Nur (Light) of Imamat.
As the ceremony came to a close, each Ismaili Muslim watching felt a sense of connection. They knew that their new Imam, like his father, would guide them with grace, wisdom, and a resolute dedication to the spiritual and material progress of the worldwide Jamat. They felt reassured that their Imam was always with his spiritual children.
My Jamatkhana in Calgary watched the entire ceremony with respect and rapt attention. Children as young as 8-9 were captivated by it, appreciating the excellent educational information provided before the ceremony began. The youth, too, were impressed with the ceremony, discussing many aspects among themselves after the ceremony and later in the evening after the Jamatkhana. The evening was further celebrated as an Imamat Day Majlis, filling the air with a sense of festivity and joy.
Sad as it was a few days earlier when the Ismaili world learned about the death of their beloved 49th Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, the Takht-nishini of his successor, Mawlana Shah Rahim, was one of the most inspirational and significant days in the life of the Ismaili community in 67 years, the length of the Imamat of Mawlana Shah Karim.
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External links: Please click on the following link(s) for more coverage of the enthronement ceremony of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan:
Date posted: February 12, 2025. Last updated: February 13, 2025 (typos; the wrong year was specified as Mawlana Shah Karim’s Golden Jubilee. It is 2007, not 2017.)
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