Introduction

The Shia Ismaili Muslims are a community of ethnically and culturally diverse peoples living in over 25 countries around the world, united in their allegiance to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan (known to the Ismailis as Mawlana Hazar Imam) as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader), and direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family).

 

Articles related to: Festivals

Milad-un-Nabi

Calligraphy bearing the name of Prophet Muhammad. Drawing: Hattat Aziz Efendi

This week, Muslims around the world commemorate Milad-un-Nabi, literally meaning the “birth of the Prophet.”

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Send a Salgirah eCard greeting!

Send a Salgirah eCard to your friends and family. Photo: TheIsmaili.org

TheIsmaili.org is pleased to offer its Salgirah greeting eCard service. Choose from several unique designs, and send your eCard to up to 50 friends at a time. Visit ecard.TheIsmaili.org to get started!

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Eid-e Ghadir

This week, Shia Muslims throughout the world, including Ismailis, mark Eid-e Ghadir. The festival commemorates the pivotal event at Ghadir Khumm when, by divine command, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) designated his cousin Hazrat Ali as the first in the continuing line of hereditary Imams.

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On Eid ul-Fitr, the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe hosts its first Jamati celebration

Volunteers prepare to welcome the Jamat to the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr. Photo: Bijan Teja

As Ismaili families in Dushanbe prepared to observe Eid ul-Fitr in the traditional manner, excitement brewed at the prospect of the Jamat coming together to celebrate the occasion at the new Ismaili Centre for the first time ever. The gathering proved a momentous and moving experience for all.

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Send an Eid ul-Fitr eCard greeting

Send an Eid eCard to your friends and family. Photo: TheIsmaili.org

TheIsmaili.org is pleased to offer its Eid ul-Fitr greeting eCard service. Choose from several unique designs, and send your eCard to up to 50 friends at a time. Visit ecard.TheIsmaili.org to get started!

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Eating healthily during the month of Ramadan

Eating dried dates are a good way to get your blood sugar up quickly after a fast. Photo: Nazma Lakhani

Fasting is among the special observances that Muslims undertake during the holy month of Ramadan. Fasting radically alters the diet, slowing the body’s metabolism and sometimes causing discomfort. However, good health can be maintained by consuming adequate nutrients during meals.

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Yawm-e Ali

Calligraphic rendering of “Ali”. Copyright: The Institute of Ismaili Studies

This week, Ismailis and other Muslims mark Yawm‐e Ali, which commemorates the birthday of Hazrat Ali. The cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), Hazrat Ali is recognised as the most important spiritual and intellectual authority in Islam after the Holy Prophet, who, in accordance with the Shia tradition of Islam, designated him under Divine Command, as the first in the line of hereditary Imams from the Prophet’s own progeny.

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Navroz celebrated for the first time at the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe

In March 2011, Navroz was celebrated for the first time at the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe. Photo: Courtesy of AKDN Tajikistan

In celebration of Navroz, the Aga Khan Development Network hosted a reception at the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe. Over 300 people attended the celebration, which was held on 20 March 2011 and was the first Navroz event ever held at the Centre.

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Celebrating new and old traditions: An Afghan Ismaili’s nostalgia for Navroz

A traditional Afghan dance during Navroz celebrations in Vancouver. Photo: Hakam Bhaloo

Celebrated on 21 March each year, Navroz is an occasion of special significance to millions around the world. Having migrated to Canada from Afghanistan, 35-year-old Ahmad Wali fondly reminisces over the rich traditions and memories of Navroz that he harbours from his childhood.

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Muharram

Muharram is a month of remembrance in the Islamic calendar.

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Imamat Day in Tajikistan marks 15 years of engagement in the country’s development

Volunteers hard at work setting up displays for the AKDN Exhibition at the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe. Photo: Natasha Merali

On 11 July, the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe was the venue for an Imamat Day reception hosted by the Aga Khan Development Network in Tajikistan. The event, which also marked the 15th anniversary of the signing of an Agreement of Cooperation between the Government of Tajikistan and the AKDN, included a cultural show as well as a three-day exhibition of AKDN’s projects in the country during the past 15 years.

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Afghan Jamat hosts a successful event commemorating Prophet Muhammad’s birthday

Young members of the Jamat recite devotional poetry in the form of a <em>qasida</em> as part of the commemoration of <em>Mowlud-e-Sharif</em> in Kabul. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Afghanistan

Some 800 people gathered at Uranus Hall in Kabul to commemorate Mowlud-e-Sharif, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). The event, which was hosted by the Ismaili Council for Afghanistan, was attended by poets, scholars, Members of Parliament, government officials and representatives of other communities in Afghanistan.

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Iranian cooking offers dishes rich in aroma, colour and flavour

The use of fresh herbs, spices and dried fruits gives Persian dishes a distinct essence, texture and fragrance. Photo: Nazma Lakhani

The cultures, traditions and foods with which Iranians mark special occasions are as rich as the country’s history. For instance, to mark Nowruz, the dining table is adorned with a special table cloth and seven dishes that represent new life, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, patience and beauty.

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Ismailis across North America commemorate Eid al-Adha in a spirit of harmony and shared understanding

Leaders from British Columbia’s Muslim communities, including Ismaili Council President Samira Alibhai, gather at Vancouver City Hall with Mayor Gregor Robertson to commemorate Eid al-Adha. Photo: Sultan Bhalo

North American Ismailis celebrated Eid al-Adha by building bridges of understanding among the communities in which they live. In turn, they learnt more about the beliefs and celebrations of their neighbours.

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Ismaili Community Ensemble celebrates Eid in the Square

Huge crowds packed Trafalgar Square for Eid celebrations in London. Photo: Kois Miah

In celebration of Eid ul-Fitr, the Mayor of London organised a live entertainment programme in Trafalgar Square this year. The Ismaili Community Ensemble was invited to take part in the event, which attracted thousands, and marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

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Fasting and diabetes

Those suffering from type 2 diabetes may be worried about observing the fast during the Muslim month of Ramadan. However, it is possible to fast safely if you are careful about managing your diabetes.

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Imamat Day celebrations in Tajikistan feature education-themed reception

Some of the Aga Khan Scouts at the Imamat Day Reception gather for a photograph. Photo: Rafiq Dhanji

In Tajikistan, the celebration of Roz-e Takht Nishini has traditionally included family and neighbourhood gatherings with shared meals, music and dancing. This year, the AKDN Resident Representative Office contributed to the festivities by hosting an education-themed reception.

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Expressions of Love and Devotion: A Golden Jubilee project

Depicting the word “Allah”, this piece was carved from five different types of wood by Minaz Nasser. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for the USA

In celebrating 50 years of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Imamat, many Ismailis sought to express their feelings creatively. A Golden Jubilee programme in the United States received thousands of entries, including works of prose, poetry and visual art.

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Kronos Quartet and Qasimov Ensemble come together at London’s Barbican Hall

 Photo: Courtesy of AKDN

In commemoration of the precious nights of Ramadan and the advent of Eid ul-Fitr, mystical harmonies from Central Asia and classical melodies of the Occident were performed before a distinguished audience at London’s prestigious Barbican Hall.

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Reflecting the Jamat’s heritage

“Noor of Allah, Rope of Imamat” was created by Bait-ul Ilm children across the UK as part of the Jubilee Jamboree celebrations. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for the UK

The Golden Jubilee Visual Arts Exhibition, which toured the United Kingdom earlier this year, provided a platform for those with artistic talent to capture this special Jubilee period in our history through their own creative expression.

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First Imamat Day at the Ismaili Centre Dubai is marked with a celebration of expression

A view of the entrance to Souq-al-Izhaar (Market of Expressions). Photo: Prime Vision

Starting with an inaugural flag-raising ceremony at the Ismaili Centre, Imamat Day in the UAE was celebrated with enthusiatic creativity. The Souq al-Izhar exhibition invited members of the Jamat to express themselves artistically on a variety of themes.

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Jamat in Badakhshan celebrates Navroz with an historic cross-border concert

Members of the Badakhshan Ensemble performed traditional Pamiri music and dance for the Afghan audience in the spirit of mutual understanding and learning. Photo: Malik Faizullah

In a symbolic expression of their long historic ties and common roots, thousands of Jamati members from the Tajik and Afghan sides of Badakhshan came together for a cross-border concert to celebrate Navroz.

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Dushanbe marks Navroz with art exhibition and performances

A family illustrates a traditional Tajik Navroz meal according to the “haft-shin” and “haft-sin” traditions. Photo: Mikhail Romanyuk

A Navroz reception in Dushanbe, Tajikistan drew more than 600 attendees and featured an exhibition of children’s artwork on the theme of Navroz, as well as a performance by 2006 Grammy nominee, the Academy of Maqâm.

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The “cosmopolitan ethic” explored

Jan Aart Scholte addresses the audience at the Ismaili Centre. Photo: Ismaili Council for the UK

The 2007 Ismaili Centre Lecture Series concluded with addresses by Rageh Omar and Jan Aarte Scholte focusing on cosmopolitanism and identity, exploring ideas of tolerance and social justice in a pluralistic society. This gives way to the 2008 Lecture series which focuses on the theme Sharing the Narrative of Progress.

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Learning, interacting and reflecting during Milad-un-Nabi

Professor Nyang, and Iqbal Lakhani, President of the Ismaili Council for Florida with guests at the Milad-un-Nabi in Tampa. Photo: Ismaili Council for USA

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) was born in the city of Mecca over 14 centuries ago. As the agency for Allah’s final revelation to mankind, he was the manifestation of the teachings of the Qur’an and an exemplar of unparalleled generosity, and piety. The Ismaili Councils for the USA and Canada commemorated Milad-un-Nabi (the birth of Prophet Muhammad) in cities across North America by remembering the Prophet of Islam and his contributions, and bringing together Muslims and those of other religious traditions to reflect upon our common heritage and the principles, ethics and values that bind us together.

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Ramadan in Dubai

Mosque in Dubai. Photo: Getty Images

Rozina Nawaz, a resident of Dubai reflects on how Ramadan is celebrated in Dubai. As a cosmopolitan hub of trade and tourism, this vibrant city observes this holy month with various activities and events and evokes a sense of spirituality in all its citizens and residents.

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Jamat celebrates Independence Day in India

Flag hoisiting ceremony at Bandra Yuwan society in Mumbai; Mr. Firoz Sattani and Mr. Anwarali Rayani, Vice-President, Ismaili Council for India. Photo: Nazim Lokhandwala

Sixty years and she's seen it all - happiness and sorrow, love and hate, poverty and riches. And her citizens celebrated this milestone across the country. Independence Day in India was celebrated by Jamati members at various centres across India. The Independence Day events invigorated and re-ignited the spirit of patriotism in the Jamat who are proud to be citizens of India and share with her the journey forward.

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Golden Jubilee Imamat Day in North America

The Southwest USA Jamat bids mubarakbadis to the worldwide Jamat. Photo: Ismaili Council for the USA

The celebrations began early on the morning of 11 July 2007 across North America as the long-awaited day finally dawned. It was the start of the Golden Jubilee, a day of celebration for all Ismailis around the world in commemoration of 50 years of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Imamat.

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Golden Jubilee Imamat Day in Asia

Old and young gathering to celebrate Imamat Day in Kabul. Photo: Karim Thomas

Asia is a continent spread across great distances, represented by diverse food, saree colours, culture, tradition and a dynamic blend of ethnicities. However, these physical distinctions played a secondary role when Jamats across the Central, South, Southeast Asia and the Far East came together for one purpose recently – to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Mawlana Hazar Imam.

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Golden Jubilee Imamat Day in Europe

A senior Jamati leader, in ceremonial regalia, welcoming Jamati members in London. Photo: Ismaili Council for the United Kingdom

Over the past 50 years, the European Union has grown in size, influence, and scope, and the decisions made by the Union touch the lives of every citizen in Europe. Similarly, in his 50 years as spiritual leader of the global Ismaili community, Mawlana Hazar Imam has overseen the growth of Jamati and Imamat institutions, as well as the growth of the Jamat as it spread across various regions around the world.

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Golden Jubilee Imamat Day in Africa

Members of the Aga Khan Band Troupe play at the colourful launch of the Golden Jubilee celebrations in Nairobi. Photo: Zahir Daya

11 July 2007 was indeed a historic day for the global Jamat, and to celebrate, Ismailis all over the African continent enjoyed several days of festivities leading up to Imamat day. Across the continent, the day itself began with flag raising ceremonies to launch the Golden Jubilee year, with Jamati leadership participating with Scouts, Guides, volunteers and members of the Jamat.

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Golden Jubilee Imamat Day in the Middle East

Volunteers in Dubai performing a garba. Photo: Ally

11 July 2007 marked the unison of Ismailis of different nationalities, cultures and backgrounds gathered in various regional venues in the Middle East to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of their Imam. Irrespective of the geographical settings, whether it be Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, the celebrations were memorable.

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