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U N I T E D S T A T E S O F A M E R I C A
Summer 2017
Editorial Diamond Jubilee
“As we look ahead, the Jamat is likely to become more and more a global community. But the essence of the
Jamat, the ethics of our faith, the principles which we believe in and which we seek to practice in our lives are
the essence of how our community will stay united.”
Mawlana Hazar Imam, during his 80th birthday celebration, Aiglemont, December 13, 2016
The past few months have given us many reasons to celebrate: the 8oth birthday of Mawlana Hazar Imam, his acceptance
of the Architectural League of New York's President's Medal, the birth of Prince Sinan and, most significantly, the inauguration
of his Diamond Jubilee year.
Long anticipated, the global Jamat celebrated the historic occasion marking our Imam's 60 years of leadership by gathering
in centers around the world to watch and participate collectively in the ceremonies. Past and present leaders and their spouses
gathered at Mawlana Hazar Imam's residence on July 11, 2017, where they reaffirmed the Jamat’s spiritual allegiance, love, and
devotion to the Imam of the Time, and expressed their gratitude for his guidance during the past six decades.
Political and economic upheavals, dislocations and civil strife, the impact of technological advances, globalization, and
changes in cultural environments, have faced the Jamat over the last 60 years. Throughout this period, our Imam has guided
the Jamat in a direction of hope and promise, while encouraging us to retain the essence and ethics of our faith.
As we look back to the time of our grandparents and recognize the distance traveled since then, physically and materially,
we begin to appreciate the impact of the Imam's guidance, encouraging us to embrace new learnings and new environments.
Through all these changes, he has been a beacon, lighting the way and guiding us safely through uncharted waters, reminding
us of what is important in our short life-spans—that of appropriate behavior, for ourselves, and towards others, especially our
tradition of service, and always through appropriate use of the intellect.
As if these concerns were not all-consuming, Hazar Imam has already created a significant legacy, building upon the
foundations laid by his grandfather. His interpretation of the mandate of the Imamat extends beyond his Jamat, and has
affected millions of others around the world, improving their quality of life through programs of the Aga Khan Development
Network, which are featured in this issue.
So we have every reason to celebrate, and these pages describe the festivities and activities reflecting the One Jamat
refrain, heard so prominently as we gathered as a united community on this special July 11th. We also take a retrospective look
at past Jubilees, how the Jamat came to these shores over 50 years ago, and how the US Jamat's institutions have developed
to serve the community.
We will also reflect on how each one of us may continue to assist in the realization of our Imam's vision in the decades
ahead, as expressed in his speech at the 10th Annual LaFontaine-Baldwin Lecture, in Toronto, on October 2010: "The world we
seek is not a world where difference is erased but where difference can be a powerful force for good, helping us to fashion a new
sense of cooperation and coherence in our world and to build together a better life for all.”
But even as we celebrate and reflect, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of South Texas, Florida and the Eastern
coast, where extreme weather has damaged cities and thousands of homes, displacing entire populations and disrupting their
lives. Thankfully, the Jamat is safe, and our institutions and remarkable volunteers have been monitoring their status, providing
assistance where required, as well as to other organizations.
Editorial Board:
Dr. Henna Budhwani Iqbal Mutabanna
Manizha Buribekova Fiza Pirani
Shaiza Damji Rahim Rajan
Ambreen Delawalla Dr. Mansoor Saleh
Afshan Khoja Dr. Saloni Firasta Vastani DIAMOND JUBILEE
Useful links:
the.ismaili www.akdn.org
the.ismaili/microsite/united-states-america
Summer 2017 • 3
Diamond Jubilee
Nazim Karim
Young adults from Central Texas perform the Light upon Light dance. Photo: Parvez Jindani
The 2008 Golden Jubilee visit of Mawlana Hazar Imam to Texas, California, Illinois, and Georgia, at the invitation of the
states' Governors, was barely over when the Jamat began to look forward to another celebration, that of his Diamond Jubilee.
The emotions felt during that historic period are etched in our memories, and we relive those moments regularly.
Now the Jamat has another Jubilee experience to add to those recollections, that will be transmitted with pride to our
children and grandchildren. The traditional Khushiali Mubarak greeting was superseded on July 11th by Diamond Jubilee
Mubarak, as the Jamat came together in nine centers around the country, illustrating its unity, and as reflected in the One
Jamat theme of the occasion. Many had taken days off work or school to travel to the venues, underscoring the significance of
the day.
And what a day of celebration it was! From the parades to marching bands in colorful uniforms, to the mesmerizing One
Jamat dance, followed later by the Light upon Light performance, the talent and commitment of the performers enthralled
everyone throughout the day and into the evening. The cultural diversity within the Jamat was evident in the variety of
traditional costumes worn by the Jamat, as well as in the onstage entertainment, a veritable feast for the eyes as we saw
the different cultures of our global Jamat. When not being enthralled by the performers, activities for children kept them
occupied, and exhibits of the Imam's work over the last 60 years encouraged reflection on his leadership and service to the
Jamat, and to others.
Viewing congratulatory messages from other Jamats at the Atlanta venue, Daniyal Inamullah said: "From a volatile climate
in Aleppo to here at home in the US, the narratives of various cultures, all coalescing around a single message of peace and
inclusion, was one of the more poignant points I drew from this unique experience today.”
The most anxiously awaited event of the day was the viewing of the solemn and historic ceremony at the Imam's residence;
full of symbolic meaning, and with his family present, few in the Jamat had dry eyes as we watched and heard the Imam address
the gathering and the Jamat.
Orlando's Anisa Premji explained how the day's events affected her: "The Diamond Jubilee celebrations were particularly
special for me because of my work with the institutions. I always felt I was doing work that was meaningful, albeit, I was living
in challenging and remote places, but it was work that gave me an opportunity to give back to our community in the global
Summer 2017 • 5
The Jamat in Houston learns about the life and work
of Mawlana Hazar Imam and his institutions.
Members of thre Duluth, GA, Jamat enter the One Jamat Launch
proudly displaying their banner.
South. In addition, the joyous celebrations reconfirmed my commitment to my faith and beliefs, the work of the Aga Khan
Development Network, and the community in which I have been so fortunate to be a part of for 28 years."
Enthusiasm and energy did not abate, despite the long day, as the Jamat enjoyed dandia and raas, through the evening,
bathed in the ubiquitous teal color chosen for this Jubilee. Countless hours were spent by thousands of volunteers across the
country in preparing for this day. "It has been a rollercoaster of an experience, humbling and eye opening," says Asif Esmail,
Program Manager for the western region's three-city events." Just the sheer talent that you get exposed to in our Jamat is
incredible."
"Transformational," is how Muneerah Merchant, President of the Aga Khan Council for the Western United States described
the impact on the youth, of their engagement in planning and implementing the program for this Imamat Day. They were
inspired by the telecast of the Imam expressing his objectives for the Diamond Jubilee and beyond. She explained, "Most of
them want to go out to different parts of the world and help the Imam and the Jamat. They also want to be civically engaged
in this society in which they live."
With the extension of the Time and Knowledge Nazrana, there will be many opportunities for the Jamat to serve and
improve the quality of life of others, all around the world; it is this, that will be the real contribution of the Jamat to this historic
occasion, and a legacy that will endure. v
Celebrating milestone Imamat anniversaries is a tradition for the Ismaili Muslim community globally, and many murids
have vivid memories of their experiences of past Jubilees, some having witnessed two Diamond Jubilees in their lifetimes.
We asked some seniors about their recollections of these historic occasions, each of which appears to have left an indelible
impression in their memories.
Gulbanoo Hirji, now in New York, recalls flying as an eight year-old, with her family, from Dar-es-Salaam to Nairobi for
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah’s Golden Jubilee in 1937. She remembers a family reunion, a lost gold ring, and a series of
rented bungalows in which they stayed, and a reception her family had hosted for the Imam. Ten years later, she was fully
involved with many activities during the Diamond Jubilee in Upanga, Dar es Salaam, reminiscing, “Temporary camps were built
in Upanga and guests were accommodated. Freshly made meals were provided to these guests and other participants three
times a day.” As a Girl Guide, she was assigned to caring for the needs of the families visiting from South Africa.
Gullbanoo also participated in a play, based on the life of an Ismaili hero, Gazi Zauhar, and relates, "A young man, Tajdin
Jiwan Hirji played the lead role. Little did I know that a few years later he would be my husband!” The merriment was in contrast
to the more serious dimension of the occasion—the Diamond Jubilee projects announced by the Imam that impacted the
Jamat for decades to come. Gulbanoo shares, “Though located by the ocean, Upanga was an underdeveloped part of town.
After the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, a Housing Society was established. With funds raised during the event, housing loans
Summer 2017 • 7
Diamond Jubilee Registration Booklet. Courtesy of Diamond Jubilee Poster created by Major Lakhpaty, Bombay
Dr. Shaheen Kassim-Lakha
were provided by the Diamond Jubilee Investment Trust to Ismaili families, to implement the Imam’s vision that every Ismaili
family should own its own home. A beautiful Jamatkhana was constructed on the grounds where the weighing ceremony took
place, and it became the focal point of the Ismaili community, as they built homes around it.” The scale used for the ceremony
was placed in a glass case on the main floor of the Jamatkhana, and survives to this day.
For his Diamond Jubilee, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah delighted the Jamats by visiting Bombay, and later that year,
Dar-es-Salaam. At both ceremonies, the Imam was weighed against diamonds, with their monetary equivalent presented to
him, which he then directed to be used for institutions and programs for the Jamat’s benefit. The first ceremony took place in
Bombay’s Brabourne Stadium, on March 10, 1946. Over 100,000 people, including Ismailis from all over India, as well as from
Pakistan, the Middle East, Central Asia, Syria, and Egypt, witnessed the pageantry and generosity of the Jamat in India.
Mansur Hussain,from Plano, Texas, recalls traveling as a 14 year-old on a rickety boat from Karachi to Bombay with his five
siblings and parents to participate in the rituals. His family arrived approximately a week before the Diamond Jubilee ceremony
and stayed at a special camp that had been set up for visitors. “During the day, we would listen to qawwalis in the Imam’s shaan,”
he recalls, and “Everyone cooked there, and we all ate together as a Jamat. There was a tent in the middle where we met for
Jamatkhana and where the Imam performed the religious rites during his visit.” Many slept on the floor of a disused hospital.
He also recalls going into the city but turning back following clashes between the Royal Navy and local residents.
Plano’s Zarina Surani, also attended the Bombay ceremony and was 16 years-old at the time. She traveled with her family
from Yavatmal, a village outside Bombay, for over two and a half days by bus. She thinks back of the Jamatkhanas and Ismaili
colonies of Bombay, which were magnificently decorated and brightly illuminated.
There was a special parade the day before the ceremony. Mansur participated as a musician in the procession, saying,
“The parade wound through the streets of Bombay and included duck floats and a model of the Alamut fortress.” Zarina
also has the parade etched in her memory and shivers with goose bumps as she remembers Jamati leaders marching in the
Left: 1946 Diamond Jubilee memorabilia. Top: Ismailis from South Africa arriving in Dar es Salaam by chartered boat
Photo provided by Amaan Kassamali in 1946, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. Courtesy of The Ismaili Canada
parade, followed by “members of the Army on horses with big swords, and the volunteers. The Jamat played raas garba in the
procession, which ultimately reached Hasanabad.”
Fireworks were launched that evening over Chowpatty Beach from a boat. “The display spelled out the words 'Diamond
Jubilee' in the sky,” shares Gulshan Morani, from Dallas. The Imam was residing at the hotel across the street from the beach
and watched from there, while murids watched from trucks nearby, or from the adjacent Hanging Gardens. She relates that “the
volunteers who were not able to attend the Diamond Jubilee celebration because of their work for the Jamat were awarded a
Kurbani medal.”
On the eventful day, the Imam was seated on a revolving stage. Sadrudin Jaffer, from Washington DC, reminisces: “Most
memorable to me, besides the pomp and circumstance of the event, and the spiritual nature of the deedar and mulaqat,
was being in the bleachers at the Bombay Cricket Club and watching the boxes of diamonds carried into the stadium by
armed guards, and being placed on the weighing scale to match Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah’s weight at the time. I also
remember the massive crowds from all over the world being gathered for this event.” The Imam had instructed that the women
wear colorful clothing, rather than austere white clothing, so the stadium was full of beautiful shades of color.
A few months later, the celebrations continued in Dar es Salaam, on August 10, 1946. Many travelled by ship from Bombay,
others from all over East and South Africa. Sadrudin Jaffer left Mombasa on a cargo ship that was chartered just for Ismailis
traveling to Dar es Salaam, carrying thousands. “This was a memorable part of the journey for me. I remember crowded
conditions, with many just sleeping any place they could on the ship. We found space on the deck and put sheets down to
sleep there. Much of the Jamat spent the night in the cargo hold.”
Jimmy Noormahomed from Plano, visualizes “pre-Diamond Jubilee celebrations in downtown Dar es Salaam, where all the
streets were blocked, so the Jamat could come out on the streets and dance their hearts out.” Bands from several cities in Africa
played during the celebrations. The ceremony itself was attended by 40,000 people, including political leaders. Houston's
Summer 2017 • 9
Begum Jivraj relives the experience: “The ground was a large open space, a sunny day. There were tents with mats spread out.
Most people brought pillows and bed sheets, and the Jamat was dressed very simply.” And Leila Visram, from Los Angeles,
“remembers vividly the silence and tension in the audience, as the diamonds were being placed on the scale, and the cheers
when the scales balanced, with the diamonds matching the Imam’s weight. The Begum went onto the dais, and the Imam
bestowed her with the title ‘Om Habibeh.’”
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah’s Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of Imamat, was celebrated early in February 1954, at
the Aga Khan Gymkhana, in Karachi, Pakistan, the city in which the Imam was born. The ceremony continued the tradition, with
a weighing of platinum equivalent to the Imam’s weight. For the Africa Jamat, a commemorative ceremony took place in Cairo,
Egypt, in February 1955. The ceremony included the presentation to the Imam of Ivory scales and 48 pieces of platinum, 47 of
them inscribed with the name of each of the preceding 47 Imams.
This Jubilee led to funding of the Aga Khan Platinum Jubilee Hospital in Nairobi, opened in 1958. This initiative provided,
for the first time, advanced, well-equipped, and affordable medical care for the community, without regard to ethnic heritage.
Ali Nathoo, of Orange County, California, attests, “the biggest impact in my life from Jubilee projects was the Platinum Jubilee
Hospital in Nairobi. My family members and I had several surgeries there. Prior to this hospital, the only healthcare options
were the Masai shamans, the Nairobi hospital, a private and pricey option, and an overstrained government run healthcare
facility.” Over time, the legacy of this project has entrenched itself, as the Hospital has expanded considerably in size and
operation and continues to serve the community to this day, now as the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi.
Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Silver Jubilee marked 25 years of his Imamat. It was at the 1982 Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili
Centre, Burnaby, that he said: “During the Jubilee year many new projects will be launched, which will impact the material
quality of the life of Ismailis and indeed of many others, in the fields of health, education, housing and rural development,
particularly in the Third World.” These projects included the Ismaili Centre, London, and the Aga Khan University, among others.
Karim Vastani, of Atlanta, recalls celebrations associated with the Imam’s Silver Jubilee visit to India. “We made elaborate
decorations in Yuwan Jamatkhana for the stage the Imam would sit on and the backdrop. We carved designs into thermocals,
and decorated them with silver glitter, along with draping white sheets.” There were celebrations on the Jamatkhana grounds
every night, with dandia and dinner served for the whole Jamat for the week leading up to the ceremony. Many Bollywood
stars lived near the Jamatkhana, and famed actor Salman Khan even joined in the festivities one evening, recalls Karim. In the
Ismaili colonies, people would descend from their homes and begin group dancing and merriment extemporaneously.
Celebrations in Nairobi were equally memorable. Ali recalls, “there was nothing like the Silver Jubilee celebrations in
Nairobi. It was an experience of a lifetime! The biggest difference was the magnitude. Never in my memory had the Jamats of
three African countries come together in one ceremony.” The ceremonies were held in Parklands Jamatkhana, and the Jamat
filled that building, the adjacent Pavilion, and the parking lot, which was three times the size of the Jamatkhana and was
outfitted with a solid roof to shelter the Jamat.
As we look forward to the year-long celebrations of Hazar Imam’s Diamond Jubilee, many Jamati members carry with
them, and build on these past Jubilee experiences, all of which, together, unify us in the communal experience of being Ismailis,
no matter where in the world we live, and in our abiding adoration for the Imam of the Time. v
Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, with Mawlana Hazar Imam
at the opening of the Ismaili Centre, a Silver Jubilee project, London, April 24, 1985
Mawlana Hazar Imam speaks to the Jamat during his Golden Jubilee Darbar in Chicago. Photo: Zahur Ramji
In this Diamond Jubilee year it is only natural to reminisce on the life of our beloved Imam, his
accomplishments, and our most treasured memories in his presence. The most recent and joyous
memories for many come from the Golden Jubilee visits that he granted in many countries all
around the world as we celebrated 50 years of his Imamat. His visits to Central Asia, Syria, and the
US are particularly memorable for many murids who experienced a Darbar for the first time in their
home countries or here in the US. In this piece we will share the diverse experiences and memories
of those who were blessed to attend these historic occasions.
Sohaila Hameedi, originally from Afghanistan, but living in Detroit, traveled with her family to
Chicago for the Golden Jubilee Darbar in April 2008. Having moved to the United States in 2003,
she never experienced a deedar in her home country. However, she speaks with immense gratitude
for the opportunity to have seen Mawlana Hazar Imam, both in the US and at in Pakistan in 2000.
She says that the experience is indescribable, but what stands out about the Golden Jubilee time
was how much the entire Jamat learned about their Ismaili brothers and sisters from all over the
globe. She fondly recalls training the Detroit Jamat on an Afghan dance during the celebrations.
She says, “It was exciting to see all the children of diverse backgrounds come together and being
Mawlana Hazar Imam walks by the thousands of murids who had gathered to see him during the Darbar in Ishkashim, Tajkistan. Photo: Akbar Hakim Ally
the second in Porshinev, where many murids from neighboring villages traveled, with some even
camped through the night awaiting Hazar Imam’s arrival.
Mehrubon Ismoilov, now in New York, volunteered as part of the security team during the
Imam's Tajikistan visit and was fortunate to accompany Hazar Imam during his entire stay. He
describes his interactions with him as “surreal” and his feelings as “beyond blessed” and truly
difficult to express in words. Knowing that his own grandparents were not able to experience
a deedar during the Soviet Union times, he says he felt “fortunate to be able to volunteer and
contribute to making the Golden Jubilee organization successful.” Mehrubon says, “At that
Mehrubon Ismoilov
particular time I appreciated the power of education the most. My professional skills and
knowledge of foreign languages allowed me to serve…and it is now my lifetime goal to promote
education and the development of professional skills within my family and our Jamat in the US.”
Similarly, Adiba Karimi took on the role of hospitality lead during the Imam’s visit to Tajikistan.
She took 11 days off of work and doesn’t recall sleeping or resting very much, but also did not
feel tired, as the excitement of welcoming Ismailis from all over the world and preparing for the
Imam’s visit was invigorating. Her five-year-old niece, Dilnoza, was asked to present the Imam with
flowers upon his arrival in Dushanbe. Adiba says that the white flowers presented to the Imam
were later returned to her family, where they dried the flowers and have kept them in their home,
as “through these flowers, we feel the barakat of the Imam present in our home,” she remarks.
Adiba recalls the Dushanbe Darbar being cancelled at the last minute and the coordination
of getting all the visitors and the local Jamat to the Badakhshan Darbars. Her memories include
Ismailis lining the streets from the airport all the way to the Imam’s hotel. She says the Jamat in
Khorog was “so excited and literally everyone was out on the streets, you could hear them play
dafs (a drum resembling a tambourine) and all kinds of music from many corners, as people were
Adiba Karimi
getting together to celebrate the Golden Jubilee Darbar.” The city was charming, as every family
lined the streets with their potted flowers to welcome the Imam. Like the others, Adiba recalls the
gathering of so many different murids from around the world, “bringing the global community
together.”
Lola Kassamali, also from Tajikistan, talks about how Golden Jubilee was a time to celebrate
the Imam and show gratitude to him for “literally taking us under his chatr and protecting us”
during the time of the civil war. Lola, who currently resides in Seattle, was able to participate in
Golden Jubilee Darbars in both the US and Tajikistan, and says she personally felt more satisfied
in her home country, because “they did not have the comforts of shuttles, food, water, carpet, air
conditioned halls, or bathroom facilities, but it was a journey to get to the Imam and go to him,
instead of him coming to us,” making it more meaningful for her, especially with family in hand,
and the exquisite outdoor backdrop of the mountains.
With the Diamond Jubilee upon us, these memories remind us of an important and historic
time in our lives, the strength and plurality of our global Jamat, our steadfast love of the Imam,
and above all, the recommitment of our promise to help the Imam spread his message of peace
and tolerance everywhere. v Lola Kassamali
Top: Against a picturesque background of snowy Pamir mountain peaks, Mawlana Hazar Imam addresses the
gathering during the Darbar in Porshinev. Photo: Moez Visram
Left: Mawlana Hazar Imam waves to the Afghan Jamat gathered across the border from Ishkashim to see him.
Photo: Akbar Hakim Ally
Right: As part of a traditional Pamiri welcome, flower petals are showered along the red-carpeted path laid out Summer 2017 • 15
for Mawlana Hazar Imam, in Khorog. Photo: Moez Visram
Diamond Jubilee
Summer 2017 • 17
The 1982-1983 Silver Jubilee and the
North American visit by Hazar Imam instilled
renewed confidence for the continental Jamat.
Says President Shams Bhaloo, President of the
Council for USA (1978-1984), "It was during
the Silver Jubilee mulaqat in Toronto that the
Imam asked if we had a clear perception of
what your Jamat wanted to be in 25 years.” This
prompted the Council for USA to conduct its
first formal long-term planning exercise, based
on their vision of the Jamat at the end of the
20th century.
It was in 1984 that the Aga Khan Foundation
Atlanta Headquarters Jamatkhana, opened in 1988
USA (AKF) was established in Washington
DC, with Iqbal Noor Ali as its CEO. He steered the organization’s growth and helped it flourish
into an important player and partner of choice in international development, fostering strong
relationships with US government agencies, private foundations, corporations, civil society
institutions, and the general public. During his tenure, he built volunteer teams across the country.
To date, the annual Walk and Golf events have attracted over a half million participants and raised
over $98 million for poverty alleviation projects in Asia and Africa.
With the formal ordination of the new Constitution of the Shia Imami Ismailis on Salgirah
1986, four Regional Councils were created, growing to seven in 1990. In addition, the Constitution
created three Central Institutions (Boards) and four Portfolios to better serve the Jamat.
In the early 1990s, the Imam guided the National Council to focus on “institutional
consolidation.” This pivotal initiative required critical evaluation and streamlining of programs and
an emphasis on long-range strategic thinking, expressing the aspiration for the Jamat to become
“a dynamic and united multicultural community of exemplary North American citizens, anchored in
the principles of Islam and propelled by a network of globally-oriented leaders and institutions."
This VISION 2020 set the compass for the series of five-year goals and one-year objectives for
religious formation, social governance and Jamatkhana development for the rest of the 1990s.
“Service to the Imam, service to the Jamat” are the mandates of the Jamati institutions, says
Alaudin Bhanji, President of the Council for USA (1999-2005). He adds, “Every institutional leader
at the national and local levels is tasked with a unique set of service challenges and opportunities
for which they must be answerable at the end of their term. Betterment of the Jamat and the
communities amongst whom it lives, is the underlying principle of all this work, while keeping the
Jamat safe and secure as a foremost priority.”
Vulnerable segments of the Jamat are not always identifiable and access to them can be
difficult. The Social Safety Net (SSN) was a major initiative launched at that time for our Jamat's
quality of life. This SSN program was initially funded by the Aga Khan Foundation USA, and
supported by Princess Zahra, allowing families in need to be assisted in a confidential manner.
The June 2002 visit of Mawlana Hazar Imam to Houston was a major milestone for the USA
Jamat. The National Council viewed this visit as particularly challenging, since it followed soon
after the 9/11 tragedy. The prior months’ efforts had been focused on the potential impact on
the Jamat and its security, and these concerns were foremost in planning this visit. The opening
of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center in Houston and the deedar, followed by multiple events in
Austin with the Governor of Texas, renewed hope and confidence in the Jamat about its future.
The planning and approval of new major Jamatkhanas are important indicators of
permanency, and two sites for future Ismaili Centers, in Los Angeles and Houston, were identified
and approved by the Imam. Additionally, two new permanent Jamatkhanas, in Plano, Texas, and
Glenview, Illinois, were also approved.
Remarks Dr. Mahmoud Eboo, USA Council President (2005-2012), and now Chairman of the
Leaders International Forum, "The approval to build Ismaili Centers in the USA was a statement
that the USA Jamat would not only have a permanent presence but that it would play a significant
role in the expression of the values and ethics that identify the Shia Ismaili tariqah's interpretation
of Islam’s message of engagement, value of knowledge, pluralism, and intellectual and cultural
enrichment of the societies in which it lives."
The nine-day Golden Jubilee visit to the USA during 2008 was "extraordinary,” says Dr.
Eboo, “as it encompassed a four-state program that included, not just the Jamati Darbars, but
diplomatic visits with Governors of Texas, California, Illinois, and Georgia, as well as the Mayors
of Houston, Los Angeles, and Chicago.”
Visits were made both to the Houston and Los Angeles high-profile Ismaili Center sites, where
the Imam shared his aspirations of how these buildings would be used in our engagement with
other communities. “The fact that each of the four Governors extended an invitation for Hazar
Imam to celebrate his Golden Jubilee in their state was a testament to the Jamat’s successful
settlement in the USA as a valued community,” suggests Dr. Eboo.
This visit provided an opportunity for Hazar
Imam to establish the groundwork for a more
structured relationship with the four states in areas
of mutual concern, that would eventually lead, a
year later, to formal agreements with Texas and
California, and later, with Illinois in 2011. These
Agreements of Cooperation were also the first such
agreements undertaken by the Ismaili Imamat at
the sub-national level, and afforded the opportunity
to draw on the knowledge society of the West,
bringing best practice and technology to the
developing world. At the same time, they offer new
horizons to Western institutions in the developing
world where the Aga Khan Development Network
operates.
The Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center, Houston, opened by Mawlana Hazar Imam and
Governor Rick Perry in 2002
Summer 2017 • 19
Progress in the second decade of this century continues apace, building on the efforts of past
generations. The current Council’s priorities include: improving the quality of life of the Jamat,
such as through development of skills and continuing education, including programs to assist in
obtaining the General Education Diploma; analysis of, and responses to, ultra-poverty issues in
the Jamat; early childhood development programs; the Global Encounters camps in partnership
with the Aga Khan Academies in Kenya and India; and knowledge exchange programs with other
Jamats, including service opportunities for leaders in Jamats from diverse traditions.
Reflecting his 20 years of service in our institutions, current Council President Fazal recalls
some initiatives that had a major impact on the Jamat; these include the 1999 Expressions of the
Pamir tour that first introduced us to the culture of the Jamat in Tajikistan; the SEED program that
evaluated 2500 schools in centers where the
Jamat lived, and the subsequent relocation of
some Jamatkhanas to the best school districts,
encouraging families to move and enroll their
children there; the growth of trade associations,
allowing Ismaili-owned businesses to
collaborate to reduce costs; the formation of
Ismaili-operated credit unions; programs to
address mental health issues, and the Ta'alim
and Secondary curricula, as well as the STEP
program, that have improved the quality of
religious education of our children.
Good citizenship and involvement in civil
society is a responsibility we must all assume,
and this notion has resonated with the USA
Jamat, particularly with our young adults
and professionals. Relationships with civic Camp Mosaic participants cheering for their their team during a sports program
bodies and other institutions have increased
dramatically, such as with museums and universities, with whom our institutions have partnered
in hosting many programs, such as exhibitions of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture and
other cultural initiatives in concert with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. In addition, the National
and Local Councils have arranged several tours with leaders from governments, museums, and
universities in the United States, to the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, to facilitate a wider and
deeper understanding of Islamic history, art, and cultures.
There has been an exponential increase in the number of programs organized for the larger
community at our major Jamatkhanas, facilities used by other organizations for meetings and
seminars, and in serving the public—as was the case during the recent floods due to Hurricane
Harvey in Texas. These efforts have allowed other communities to better understand the Ismaili
tariqah, Islam, and the ethics of our faith, helping to remove unwarranted perceptions. Art and
culture programs feature predominantly in these encounters.
The I-CERV initiative (Ismailis Engaged in Responsible Volunteering), where the Local
Councils encourage all segments of the Jamat to participate in civic initiatives, such as cleaning
parks, improving the appearance of schools or assisting at food banks, has allowed the Jamat to
practice the ethics of our faith, through the generosity of means, time, and of service to others.
Today, every segment within the Jamat is being addressed through programs specifically
targeted to provide services to them, such as: the integrated Faith and Ethics curriculum for the
Early Childhood Development program; the National Sports Tournaments, Camps, and Jubilee
Games for young men and women; and Project Hope (Helping with Options and Planning
Endeavor) to assist seniors with caregiving and information on entitlements, health benefits, and
housing options. The USA Jamat now has the capacity and professional expertise to mobilize
and deploy volunteers to tackle a wide range
of challenges in the areas of education and
training, health and lifestyle management, and
social and economic development.
With three generations of the USA Jamat
now well settled and advanced in over 25 states,
our community is well-anchored in the society
that is our new home. At the same time, the
Jamat and institutions have made significant
contributions to the larger community, with
multiple avenues of engagement. We are being
recognized as a valuable partner and contributor
to society, as in the recent Trailblazer Award, and
the Los Angeles City Council's Award, both to
the Council for the Western United States, for the
Jamat's "exemplary voluntary service" to others.
From humble beginnings, the perseverance The Council for the Central United States held an ‘I-CERV Day of Service’ on September
10, 2017, in partnership with Feeding Children Everywhere, an organization providing
of those arriving on these shores to succeed,
healthy meals to those in need. 425 Jamati volunteers and 135 others packed 100,000
Hazar Imam's visionary guidance, and the meals to be distributed to those displaced by Hurricane Harvey in Texas. The meals
were packaged at the Ismaili Jamatkhana, Carrollton.
commitment to “common goals, common
objectives, common principles, and ethics,” as emphasized by him, the Jamat has become a valued
member of society—and not just in the United States, as our talents are being called upon in the
service of Jamats and institutions around the world. As President Barkat Fazal notes also: “We
must recognize the dedication and commitment of the thousands of volunteers who have served
the Jamat and its institutions in so many capacities, formally and otherwise, without whom this
progress would not have been possible."
This Diamond Jubilee allows us to reflect on how far we have come, to remember all those
who have made this possible, and to now boldly accelerate development in the decades ahead.
The author wishes to acknowledge the contributions to this article by current and former members of
the Councils and the Central Institutions. v
Summer 2017 • 21
Diamond Jubilee
Beginning with the arrival of a few students and others in the 1960s, the Jamat from around
the world has now settled in the USA over the past half-century. The stories of these early
pioneers have not been told, and this year is an opportune time to understand how some of
them came to be here, and the role they played in building our institutions, fostering a spirit of
community. Their efforts were instrumental in influencing the foundation and evolution of the
US Jamat.
One of the first gathering place for Ismailis was the residence of Dr. Amir and Anar Rehmat,
in Chicago. Amir had been encouraged to pursue chemical engineering by Mawlana Hazar
Imam, and arrived in Chicago in 1964. He came on a flight with other single students from East
Africa on scholarships, including Anar, whom he married in 1967, following which he invited
local students to gather for a majalis. The Rehmats were assisted in the early days of the Chicago
Jamat by Amir Bhimji, who assumed the role of imparting religious education to the students,
while his wife, Gulzar, often invited them home for meals.
Responding to his request, in February 1968, the Rehmats received a talika (letter) from
Hazar Imam, officially authorizing a Jamatkhana in Chicago, to be located at their home. The
Imam also kept his promise to visit Chicago first on his next visit and, in 1983, came to Chicago
during his Silver Jubilee visit before going on to New York and Los Angeles, where the Councils
were situated.
Amir recounts that It was only after 1970 that the first group of Ismailis seeking economic Dr. Amir and Anar Rehmat
opportunities began to arrive, mainly from Pakistan, entering the transportation and hospitality
industries primarily, as little experience and capital was required.
A Jamatkhana was also established, though informally, in the apartment of Sadrudin and
Shirin Jaffer, who moved from Mombasa to Los Angeles in 1967. Before doing so, they were
granted a mulaqat with Hazar Imam in Paris where they inquired about a Jamatkhana space.
The Imam responded by suggesting that they have it in their home.
The couple reserved one room in their two-bedroom apartment for use as a Jamatkhana.
Assuming any Ismailis in the area were likely to be students, Sadrudin posted ads in local
universities with his phone number, in hopes of attracting them. “One person contacted me
and asked if I needed money. I said, ‘No, come to Jamatkhana,’’ he recalled. And every Saturday,
half a dozen students would come and then eat dinner at his home. This continued till they
were hosting over 75 people in their small apartment, when they moved the Jamatkhana to
a building in West Hollywood in the early 70s. In 1973, Sadrudin was appointed President of
Western Region Council, which stretched from Texas to Australia!
Dallas also saw its first Jamatkhana through the efforts of Badru Walji, who left Uganda to
join his eldest brother in Vancouver, hoping to become a real estate agent. When their lack of
education limited their opportunities, he relocated to Dallas where he bought a hotel in a joint
Sadrudin and Shirin Jaffer
Educational opportunity has been a unifying factor among a majority of the Ismaili
immigrants. Such is the case for Gulbanoo Hirji, who came to the US from Dar es Salaam, to find
a high school for her son and to be near her eldest son, studying at Yale. She settled in Westport,
CT. Next came the task of finding a Jamatkhana. The Jamat in the area consisted of about 90
people in New York, meeting every Saturday in a hotel in Manhattan. Gulbanoo and her family
would travel each weekend to attend Jamatkhana.
The first National Council was created in New York in 1973, and the Mukhi of New York
Jamatkhana, Abdul Suleman Dewji, became the first President. Gulbanoo was also appointed to
the Regional Council and, later, the Supreme Council, and was the first Editor of Roshni magazine.
During the Silver Jubilee, she was the Secretary of the Ismailia Association for the USA, involved
in preparations for the Institutional banquet organized for Mawlana Hazar Imam.
For Mohamed Rajebhai Patel, his journey to the US bega in the tiny village of Meloj,
India, where he was born in 1942.The village was poor, with sticks and rocks serving as toys
for children. “Sorghum plants with their styrofoam-like centers were great for building shapes
and structures - like Tinker Toys or Legos of today,” Mohamed explained. They even used acacia
thorns combined with goat droppings, out of which they would fashion spinning toys. Children
of his generation likely had a good grasp of physics—and very dirty hands.
During his 1967 visit to India, Mawlana Hazar Imam advised the Ismaili dairy cooperative
to send its young men overseas to seek higher education and greater opportunities, especially
in the agriculture and dairy sectors. At the time, Mohamed was studying dairy science to
modernize the collective dairy cooperative. He was accepted for a chemical engineering
program in Milwaukee.
Summer 2017 • 23
Diamond Jubilee
The day Mohamed left for America, 75 people came to the airport by bus, train, taxi and
by truckloads to send him off. They presented him with flower garlands, blessings and good
wishes because, in the eyes of his extended family, he was a pioneer setting off to discover a new
land where endless opportunities awaited. He began the Dairy Science undergraduate program
at Texas A&M, graduating in 1972. By then, the struggling dairy cooperative back home had
dissolved, so instead of returning to India, his wife and two sons joined him in the US.
In 1973, Mohamed’s family moved to California where his home became a stepping stone
for a large portion of the Momin community migrating from India and Pakistan.The couple
welcomed many relatives, even strangers, to stay with them, some staying months, and even
years, to get on their feet.
That desire to “pay it forward” stemmed from an early memory in Chicago when Mohamed
and another student were picked up by Dr Amir Rehmat and taken to his apartment where the
tiny Jamat celebrated the Salgirah Khushiali of 1968, a month after he arrived in America. After
moving to Fort Worth, Texas, in 1972, he received letters from two students arriving from India,
seeking his assistance and advice on starting a life in Houston. He remembered Mukhi Rehmat’s
generosity and went to meet them, helping to get them settled. Those two students eventually
established the first Jamatkhana there, near the University of Houston.
As for Gulbanoo, she offers her thoughts on life and its blessings: “I fully understand that life
is not bed of roses,” Gulzar said. “I am 89 years old and suffer from illnesses but under the care of
good doctors and specialists. I still say shukhar for Mawla’s grace for everything. I don’t have to
worry about anything with my sons and the Jamat around.” v
Summer 2017 • 25
Mawlana Hazar Imam delivers remarks at the inauguration of the international headquarters of the Global Centre of Pluralism. Photo: AKDN Moez Visram
When speaking of Canada’s role in bringing the idea of Aga Khan Museum and Park and the forthcoming Aga
the Global Centre for Pluralism to fruition, Mawlana Hazar Khan Garden, Alberta. These projects exemplify what can
Imam focused on the public-private partnership between happen when we are committed to practicing pluralism,
the Ismaili Imamat and the Government of Canada. Canadian even when the world is becoming increasingly polarized.
Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly highlighted Canada's The Imam acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead for
strengths: its respect for rights and freedoms, its welcoming, the Global Centre for Pluralism, but also hope for its success:
open society, and its multicultural character. “As we celebrate the progress we have made today, we also
The Global Centre for Pluralism has found a home recognize the growing challenges to our mission, as nativist
in Canada for a multitude of reasons, perhaps the most and nationalist threats to pluralism rise up in so many corners
significant of which is that at the core of the Canadian of the world. In responding to these challenges, the Global
identity there is a respect for diversity. As the Governor Centre for Pluralism has planned a variety of new initiatives.”
General noted: “Here in Canada, when we look around for These initiatives include the Global Pluralism Awards,
this pluralism story, and listen for it, we begin to realize which will recognize pluralism in action around the world,
that in fact it isn’t a new story we need, but rather a very as well as a distinguished series of new publications. They
old one that continues to unfold. It’s a story of partnership: will help Canada and the Global Centre for Pluralism show
balanced, reciprocal and respectful.” the world that pluralism is a viable path to peace. Perhaps
These same values are echoed in the partnership then, the role of the Centre isn’t simply to help create a
between Canada and the Ismaili Imamat, not only in the more tolerant world, but rather one where diversity is not
creation of the Centre, but also with many other Imamat only accepted, but embraced as a conduit for prosperity
projects in Canada, past present and future, such as the and harmony. v
Prince Aly Muhammad in conversation with Maureen McTeer, wife of Joe Clark,
former Prime Minister of Canada. Photo: AKDN / Moez Visram
Summer 2017 • 27
INSTITUTIONAL NEWS
“This award helps to elevate the quality of architecture, planning, and landscape design by
shedding light on exemplary work. And most importantly it affirms the power of architecture to
create and to sustain a humane and beautiful world for all people. All people, all cultures, all faiths
look to beauty as a profound source of both solace and joy.”
Billie Tsien, President of the Architectural League of New York, May 19, 2017
League President Billie Tsien presents Mawlana Hazar Imam Mawlana Hazar Imam in conversation with architect Diébédo Francis
with the Architecture League's 2017 President's Medal. Kéré and Farrokh Derakhshani, Director of the Aga Khan Award for
Photo: AKDN/ Leandro Viana Architecture. Photo: AKDN / Farhez Rayani
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Aga Committee for the 2004–07 cycle of the Award and is familiar
Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA), Mawlana Hazar Imam with its work and impact.
was presented with the President’s Medal, the Architectural Upon accepting the award, Mawlana Hazar Imam
League of New York's highest honor, bestowed to recognize remarked, “In thinking about the way societies live in the
an extraordinary body of work in architecture, urbanism, developing world, in the industrialized world, I came to a
art, or design. Princess Zahra, Prince Hussain and Prince very simple conclusion – what is the art form that has the
Aly Muhammad accompanied Hazar Imam at the award most important impact on every society, in every part of the
banquet held for 130 guests, on May 19, 2017. world? And the answer is quite simply, architecture."
"As architects, we usually dwell in the world of space Mawlana Hazar Imam continued his remarks by saying
defined by walls, but tonight, on this occasion, and in the that this is a “very important evening in my life because it
midst of this very divisive time, we turn away from the is a recognition of an art form, which I believe needs global
concept of the wall and instead choose to celebrate the recognition, global attention, needs the best brains that we
concept of the bridge,” said Billie Tsien, President of the can mobilize to improve the human habitat for the decades
Architectural League. She had served on AKAA's Steering and decades ahead.”
Summer 2017 • 29
INSTITUTIONAL NEWS
Mawlana Hazar Imam is presented with a cake on behalf of the worldwide Jamat on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Photo: AKDN/Farhez Rayani
"My wish for the decades ahead is that you stand firmly This was the birthday wish that Mawlana Hazar Imam
by the principles and the ethics of our faith. Wherever you Imam conveyed to his murids around the world as he stood,
are, whatever age you are, whatever you do in your lives, surrounded by members of his family, before the leaders of the
it is essentially important to me that the principles of our Jamat, at the celebration of his 80th birthday.
faith should be respected everyday of your lives. This is Held at Hazar Imam’s residence in Aiglemont, France,
on December 16, 2016, this milestone occasion was steeped
my hope and this is my prayer."
in symbolism. Hundreds of lanterns (fawanees) adorned the
grounds leading to the entrance of the Imam's residence,
Mawlana Hazar Imam
reminiscent of the luminous welcome with which the residents
of Cairo greeted the Fatimid Imam-caliph Mawlana al-Muizz
upon his arrival in Egypt in 973 CE.
Within, a specially designed marquee in the form of a
strong geodesic dome, mirrored the haven of shelter, stability
Summer 2017 • 31
INSTITUTIONAL NEWS
Mawlana Hazar Imam jokes about feeling as though he is 40 years old, at the celebration of his 80th birthday. Photo : AKDN / Farhez Rayani
and protection that Hazar Imam extends over the lives of so good wishes of the entire Jamat from all corners of the world.”
many. The 20 triangular faces of the dome each represented An ensemble of 20 singers and musicians from Ismaili
one of the 20 national Ismaili Councils appointed by the Imam communities in Central Asia, South Asia, Iran, Syria, East Africa,
to oversee the Jamat’s activities and progress. Europe, and North America gave a special performance. The
“This evening is an extraordinarily special occasion for musical score, which had been composed specifically for the
the global Jamat, and for the leaders who are here present occasion, melodiously expressed the pluralism and unity of
tonight, who are representing them,” said Dr Mahmoud the Jamat, and demonstrated the innovation that is possible
Eboo, Chairman of the Ismaili Leaders’ International Forum, among artists of different cultures.
which requested the honor of having the Imam celebrate After cutting his birthday cake, Hazar Imam was
his 80th birthday with members of his family and Jamati presented with a gift: a mosaic depicting two horses that
representatives. was commissioned in 1989 and created by the late renowned
Reflecting the diversity of the worldwide Ismaili Pakistani artist, Ismail Gulgee. The piece reflects the Imam’s
community, and speaking on their behalf, Chairman Eboo “passion for horses, the history of horses within Islamic culture
wished Hazar Imam a “Happy Birthday“ in multiple languages, and civilizations, and the history even within Mawlana Hazar
and conveyed ”our love, our prayers, our felicitations and the Imam’s own family,” explained Chairman Eboo.
“This has been a very, very happy occasion for me,” the essence of the Jamat, the ethics of our faith, the principles
remarked Hazar Imam to those gathered. “I would like to thank which we believe in, and which we seek to practice in our lives,
everyone who has participated in making this event happen.” are the essence of how our community will stay united.”
He reflected on how far the Jamat has progressed, noting that Thanking everybody once again for the evening
today it is a strong global community with strong institutions, of celebration and for his birthday present, Hazar Imam
strong ethics, that is respected around the world. “What more concluded with a parting wish: “I hope that in the decades
could I wish for as the Imam of the Time?” ahead, you will remember this occasion as one of special
“As we look ahead, the Jamat is likely to become more happiness, as I do.” v
and more a global community,” Hazar Imam observed. “But
"There are those who enter the world in such poverty that they are deprived of both the means and
the motivation to improve their lot. Unless these unfortunates can be touched with the spark which
ignites the spirit of individual enterprise and determination, they will only sink back into renewed
apathy, depredation and despair. It is for us who are more fortunate to provide that spark."
Mawlana Hazar Imam speaking at the inauguration of the Aga Khan Baug Housing project at Versova, Mumbai, India,
January 17, 1983
This statement explains the motivation behind the creation of the institutions encompassed by the Aga Khan Development
Network (AKDN), which reflects the Qur'anic requirement to share one's resources with others, and to care for those in need;
thus, it serves as the ethical foundation of the AKDN, as it addresses issues faced by communities in parts of the world deprived
of many basic necessities, essential for even a minimal quality of life, by offering them opportunity and hope for a better future.
In the six decades since the first of AKDN's dozens of institutions and programs were created, this global network now
operates in 30 countries, primarily in South and Central Asia, East and West Africa, and the Middle East, employing 80,000
people. In this article, we look at some of the major issues these entities address, and how they touch the lives of so many
around the world.
Summer 2017 • 35
In the Shadows of the Himalayas
Many of the AKDN's programs are directed at the grass roots, affecting one family and one village at a time. Picture a
small village in the Northern Areas of Pakistan; surrounded by snow-capped mountains and crisp air at the "Roof of the World,"
it would appear to be an idyllic setting; but life in the shadows of these peaks was far different in the 1980s. One family, that
of Mrs. Rehnuma, had been surviving on the meager produce grown in their small plot of land; she had to care for a disabled
husband and a family of ten. Most villagers in this region - with literacy rates low and infant mortality rates high - barely eked
out a living. The village's future, and that of her family, looked bleak.
That is, until the arrival of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) in Pakistan. It began its operations over four
decades ago in response to Mawlana Hazar Imam's vision and desire to improve the quality of life of communities in this
remote corner of the country. Simply providing aid was not a solution, as that would create permanent dependency. And
for any economic project to succeed, the entire village would need to support it, and ultimately manage and sustain it. The
concept of Village Organizations was developed, to explain how potential income-generating projects could benefit them, and
Women's Organizations were also encouraged. Often it would take several years of discussions with villagers to arrive at this
juncture, requiring perseverance and determination on the part of AKRSP staff.
Although illiterate, Mrs. Rehnuma was trained by AKRSP in poultry raising; three years later, she was taught to care for
livestock and to operate a chicken hatchery. In a short time, she had become a major supplier of eggs and milk, and her
vegetable yields increased through better farming techniques. Soon, she was earning an income that matched that of a
teacher, with significant improvements to her family's health and financial security. More importantly, women were now seen
as potential contributors to family income, elevating their status and giving them a voice. In a short time, other villagers wished
to emulate her success, thus encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit.
This is the spark that was ignited in this rural area—one that provided hope, coupled with tangible assistance towards self-
improvement from AKRSP, allowing those affected to maintain their dignity and self-respect, as masters of their own destinies.
Reviewing the first 13 years of its operations, the World Bank Group reported that "real incomes have nearly doubled, on
average, in the program area. The increase cannot be wholly attributed to AKRSP, but it compares with the average gain of 26
percent for Pakistan as a whole." While a remarkable statistic in itself, this represented an exponential improvement in the lives
of the villagers.
AKRSP is just one of the AKDN's many institutions created as a mechanism to realize the social conscience that Muslims are
required to exercise, and to address a multitude of issues facing marginalized and underserved communities around the world.
Tamam Al Khoujey took out two AKAM loans to expand his shop in Masyaf, Syria. As a result,
his monthly net income has nearly doubled. Photo: AKDN/Jean-Luc Ray
Investing in People
As we begin the Diamond Jubilee year, this is an opportune occasion to reflect on the impact of Mawlana Hazar’s Imam’s
60 years of dedicated service to humanity, illustrated through the work of the AKDN.
During his lecture at Harvard University in 2016, the Imam suggested that endemic poverty was still a major challenge
facing the world, a cause of much of the migration of people, with accompanying reactions in some countries to having to
accommodate the influx of refugees:
"Today, the Aga Khan Development Network embraces many facets and functions. But, if I were trying to sum up in a single word
its central objective, I would focus on the word 'opportunity'. For what the peoples of the developing world seek above all else, is hope
for a better future."
However, confronting poverty simply through the lens of income-generation is insufficient, in the Imam's view. As he
explained:
“To the Imamat the meaning of ‘quality of life’ extends to the entire ethical and social context in which people live, and not only to
their material well-being measured over generation after generation. Consequently, the Imamat’s is a holistic vision of development,
as is prescribed by the faith of Islam. It is about investing in people, in their pluralism, in their intellectual pursuit, and search for new
and useful knowledge, just as much as in material resources. But it is also about investing with a social conscience inspired by the
ethics of Islam. It is work that benefits all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, nationality or background.” 1
Rather than devising singular and specific ad hoc projects, the mission of the AKDN agencies is to apply multiple inputs to
ameliorate a community's condition, addressing many factors simultaneously. Having an extra meal a day would provide some
comfort to those in difficult circumstances, but this alone would not assure a brighter future in the absence of basic medical
care, housing, income opportunities or quality education. Thus, an integrated and comprehensive approach to development
best addresses the Islamic ethic of compassion towards the less fortunate, the fundamental objective of AKDN interventions.
1.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, at the Opening of Alltex EPZ Limited, Athi River, Kenya, December 19, 2003
Summer 2017 • 37
Al-Azhar Park, Cairo, Egypt, has become a catalyst for urban renewal in one of the most
congested cities in the world. Photo: AKDN/Kareem Ibrahim
Alleviating Poverty
The application of multiple measures to improve community life and alleviating poverty, can be seen in the creation of the
74 acre Al-Azhar Park. The US$ 30 million development project was a gift made by Hazar Imam to the city of Cairo, a city that
was founded by his forebear, Imam al Muizz, a thousand years ago. This initiative resurrected the desolate space that had
been a 500 year-old garbage dump, between the city's 12th century Ayyubid wall and its 15th century Mamluk “City of the
Dead.” Today, it is a verdant oasis within a concrete metropolis, adding to the quality of life of the two million Cairenes who
visit it annually.
The Park's development acted as a catalyst for other AKDN projects in the adjacent poor Darb Al-Ahmar neighborhood,
which suffered from neglect, inadequate infrastructure, services and housing. Besides now employing hundreds of local
people at the Park, dozens of artisans, masons, and carpenters had to be trained to restore the ancient city wall discovered
during excavations. These skills are now in demand elsewhere. AKDN agencies also addressed sanitation, garbage collection,
primary health care, housing rehabilitation, adult literacy programs, along with the restoration of cultural monuments and
mosques in the neighborhood.
The Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AKAM) provided the capital needed for aspiring entrepreneurs to open shops
and use their skills in improving their lives, both in Darb Al-Ahmar and in Aswan. The impact of microcredit can be seen in
the example of Aswan's Mahassen Mahmoud, whose husband lost his job, leaving the family of six with no means of support.
With a US$ 360 loan she was able to buy lambs to raise and sell. She repeated this process six more times, and expanded
her business. She ventured into groceries, sewing clothes, and farming. She purchased two commercial boats, increasing
her income thirty-five-fold in a few years, which allowed her to purchase a new house and gain financial independence and
security. Over three million similar loans have been granted to applicants in several countries where AKAM operates, leading
to significant improvements in the lives of loan beneficiaries.
Economic development assists countries and citizens to improve their living standards. Consider the example of Frigoken,
a bean-processing plant operated by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), in Kenya. Acting as a cooperative,
it supports over 75,000 small farmers and directly employs 3,000 women, offering health benefits and care for their young
children at the plant site, price guarantees, free technological support, and ready markets, so producers have a reliable and
steady income source, independent of weather conditions. Today, it has become Kenya's largest bean exporter. Investments
such as this also improve the industrial base of many countries, providing much needed employment and foreign exchange.
On a larger scale, electricity is critical for industrial production; without sufficient power on demand, economic growth and
social activity are curtailed. This was the situation in Uganda, with its rolling blackouts, until the US$ 900 million Bujagali dam
was opened in 2007 by Hazar Imam and President Museveni. This project, which came together through a three-way public-
private partnership, generated almost 50% of the country's electricity at the time of its inauguration.
Ugandans have since seen marked improvement in their lives. AKFED has also improved the water supply of nearby
residents, as well as school and health center buildings, leading to a doubling of students at schools and improvements in
healthcare. It also operates a power plant in Cote d'Ivoire and is developing another to increase power generation for Rwanda,
Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its Pamir Energy company, that supplies power to over 250,000 residents
in Tajikistan and Afghanistan, recently received the Ashden Award for increasing energy access. In addition to power, AKDN
agencies have investments in tourism, financial services, media, and in industrial enterprises. Profits from these enterprises are
re-invested in further development activities.
The AKDN project company Frigoken, Kenya’s largest exporter of processed green beans. The company
employs over 3,000 people, most of whom are women, and supports around 75,000 small-scale farmers.
The company also implements a comprehensive workplace wellness program and provides young Summer 2017 • 39
families with a day-care facility. Photo: AKDN/Lucas Cuervo Moura
INSTITUTIONAL NEWS
Aga Khan High School, Kampala, Uganda. Aga Khan Education Services,
Uganda (AKES,U) operates two nursery schools and two private co-
educational day schools. Students are taught and encouraged to ask
challenging questions, to reflect critically, to think creatively, and to
engage actively in problem solving, skills essential for life in the 21st
Education as an Investment in the Future century. Photo: AKDN/ Lucas Cuervo Moura
The need for education had been stressed by Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, with his opening of the first Aga Khan
Schools in Zanzibar, Pakistan and India, in 1905. This emphasis has continued with Mawlana Hazar Imam's creation of a vast
array of educational institutions, underscoring his conviction that knowledge and critical thinking are the foundations for
improving one's condition. At the opening of the Aga Khan School in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, in 2002, Hazar Imam said, “….the best
way to manage change, whether positive or negative, is to prepare for it, and there is no greater form of preparation for change
than investments in education."
Hazar Imam has focused not just on universities, of which has founded two -- the Aga Khan University (AKU), with eight
campuses in six countries, and the University of Central Asia, with campuses planned in three countries -- but also on schools
at all levels. The creation of Aga Khan Academies, for example, are dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders in
the developing world. In service of that goal, these "Centres of Excellence" incorporate concepts such as diversity, pluralism,
and tolerance. International exchanges are part of the curriculum, allowing students to better navigate a shrinking and
interconnected world.
Addressing basic education needs of many communities, the Aga Khan Education Services operates more than 200
schools and educational programs, benefitting over 80,000 students. And education, for even younger children is a concern
for the Imam; as research indicates that early childhood education is the best predictor of later success, it is no surprise that he
insists on every child in our Jamat being enrolled in such programs, providing spaces for this to occur.
Imparting a quality education requires good teachers, and this is addressed through teacher training programs conducted
in Pakistan and Tanzania, at AKU's Institutes for Educational Development. In Pakistan alone, over 1,300 degrees have been
conferred and 14,000 public school educators and community leaders have been trained in an effort to raise teaching standards.
These teachers go on to train other teachers in their own schools, which creates a much larger multiplier effect. The initiatives
are intended not only to benefit the lives of the students being taught, but to help develop a cadre of well-educated people
who can make a positive impact on their countries in the future.
Accelerating the process of producing highly qualified individuals are plans for AKU's US$ 1 billion Faculty of Arts and
Sciences in Arusha, Tanzania, with its eight graduate professional schools; once completed, the aspiration is for AKU to become
East Africa's intellectual center, increasing the region's caliber of talent and leadership for future generations.
The measurement of quality of life includes a number of factors, but perhaps the most critical are material living
conditions, including income and housing, education, and healthcare. The cycle of poverty cannot be halted or reversed,
without improvements in these areas. The health of a nation is only as good as the health of its citizens, and primary care is
essential, though not available readily in many parts of the developing world. So AKDN supports over 200 health facilities,
mostly in rural areas in several countries, and operates 15 hospitals. Together, they provide care to five million people annually.
Another example of how quality of life has been impacted is AKU's Nursing School, established at a time when few women
in Pakistan worked outside the home and nursing was not considered to be a respectable profession. With its modern facilities
and comparatively high salaries for graduates, the Nursing School provided the impetus for a cultural shift that encouraged
more women to enter the workforce.
AKU's hospital in Karachi is considered to be at an international standard, with state of the art facilities and with
groundbreaking research being conducted. On the African continent, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, recently
opened a Heart and Cancer Center, the first in East Africa, and also an Oncology Center. Additionally, new hospitals are planned
for Arusha and Kampala, to provide greater access to quality healthcare in these cities.
Connection to one's history and traditions are critical components of one's identity, even for self-respect; when ignored
or considered irrelevant, a society can lose its moorings and sense of direction. Unfortunately, much of the Muslim world is in
great need of maintaining its historic monuments and other cultural assets. Not wishing to see these disappear and lose that
connection to the past, AKDN's cultural initiatives address the retention and promotion of traditional music and poetry, and
the restoration of historic sites and monuments--- from Humayun's Tomb in Delhi, to the walled City of Lahore, and the Great
Mosque of Mopti, in Mali. In addition, Toronto's Aga Khan Museum houses magnificent treasures, and its educational programs
will better inform the public about the cultural heritage of the Muslim world.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture, now in its 40th year, has drawn attention to architecture in Muslim societies, and
the need to both reflect their cultural heritage, and to be sensitive to the needs of communities affected by new construction,
including landscape architecture. It has set new standards for architectural excellence and is unique in its encouragement of
climate adaptation, sustainability, and quality of life of issues.
Governments, no matter how goodwilled, are often unable to do everything for everybody, and Hazar Imam has reiterated
the value of civil society organizations "which operate on a private, voluntary basis but are motivated by high public purposes.”
These groups encourage citizens to participate in political discourse, raise issues of public concern, and become involved in
civic and social initiatives for the common good. They would include those concerned with culture, media, the environment,
health, education and religious faith.
AKDN supports 40,000 civil society organizations, with 1.3 million members in over 30 countries. As an example, it works
with the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy to ensure NGOs are effective in serving their constituencies. In East Africa, AKDN uses
mobile telephone technology to connect remote communities to e-learning courses, and to educate poor farmers in better
agricultural techniques. The Nation Media group is the largest such organization in East Africa, instrumental in providing fair
and balanced reporting to its readers in a continent that has few comparable media outlets. AKU's new Graduate School of
Media Communications in Nairobi promises an even higher caliber of journalistic talent in the future.
The Imam's international focus and emphasis on the need for greater cultural understanding and a pluralist ethos, is
illustrated in the opening of Ottawa’s Global Center for Pluralism, conceived by him, and funded in partnership with the
Government of Canada. It is a unique institution that hosts workshops, presents lectures and conducts research. It has also
participated in discussions with civil society leaders in Kenya, and funded researchers to review Kyrgyzstan's experience with
its diverse composition of ethnicities, in an attempt to make its society more inclusive.
Key to AKDN's development philosophy is the notion of a sustainable society, as Hazar Imam expressed at the World
Congress of Architects in Chicago, in June 1993: "Indeed it is my very faith – Islam- which articulates that concept – God has
entrusted His world to the living, in order that they may improve it from generation to generation."
This philosophy is at the heart of the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, which is concerned with climate change. Of particular
concern at this time are communities living in regions susceptible to earthquakes, avalanches, landslides, and in dilapidated
housing. The Agency has successfully helped to address such issues over the long term, and through disaster training and
management programs, particularly in Northern Pakistan and Tajikistan. It has developed more efficient smoke-free stoves -
among 70 other low-cost habitat improvements - that lower the demand for firewood, and reduce respiratory infections.
Safe housing design, drip irrigation, water supply and sanitation, community hydroelectric plants, windmills and solar
energy, are being introduced in many rural communities, mitigating potential hazards and improving their quality of life. AKDN
agencies have also planted over 100 million trees to counter the environmental damage done by deforestation.
His Highness the Aga Khan: a Life in the Service of Development; from an interview with Politique Internationale (English
edition of special issue of Agence française de développement), n°134 - Winter 2011-2012, January 17, 1983
Humayun's Tomb, New Delhi, India, restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture
and its partners. This conservation effort led also to the Nizamuddin Basti
Urban Renewal project which helped improve the lives of the neighborhood's
Lighting the Flame of Opportunity many marginalized residents. Photo: AKDN/Christian Richters
Sixty years of enlightened leadership that expresses the core ethics of Islam, is evident in Hazar Imam's vision and
dedication in the service of humanity. Millions of people, knowingly or not, have been touched by that very spark he alluded
to in his 1983 speech in India, a result of the "fusion of faith and the world," that he believes is a moral imperative.
Opportunities have been created, where few existed before; the quality of life of many impoverished communities has
improved, where generations of families expected nothing better; but most of all, the seeds of hope for a better future have
been planted, encouraging individuals and communities to be responsible for their own futures. This is the impact of the AKDN,
and one of the Imamat's major legacies in the contemporary period.
The Imam's work has not gone unnoticed, as foundations, universities, governments, and others have recognized his
contributions to improving the human condition. This is illustrated by the dozens of honors, decorations, and awards he has
received, including the North South Prize, presented to him by the Council of Europe, and the recent Adrienne Clarkson Prize
for Global Citizenship.
In this Diamond Jubilee year, we celebrate, not only our Imam's spiritual and material guidance, that have improved the
lives of the global Jamat, but also his efforts at improving the lives of so many others around the world. And, as we have seen
with previous Imams throughout the centuries, one person, with a vision, can indeed make a difference. v
Summer 2017 • 43
INSTITUTIONAL NEWS
Prince Amyn expresses his gratitude on the collaboration Prince Amyn was in Vancouver on May 11 and 12, to participate in
between the Museum of Anthropology and the Aga Khan the opening of a new exhibition at the University of British Columbia’s
Museum that culminated in the Traces of Words exhibition. Museum of Anthropology. Photo: AKDN / Asif Bhalesha
Photo: AKDN / Asif Bhalesha
An audience of 1800 people filled the Museum of he added. “Islamic calligraphy blends content and design,
Anthropology’s glass-walled atrium on May 11, 2017, for the which, whether legible or not, conveys, when used on
opening ceremony of Traces of Words: Art and Calligraphy religious text, the central symbol of faith.”
from Asia, a showcase of varied forms of expression Prince Amyn also spoke of the importance of
associated with writing and words throughout Asia and calligraphy to Muslims worldwide. He recounted how the
from different periods. tradition of calligraphy began in the mid-seventh century
Prince Amyn Aga Khan had accepted the University of with the earliest written versions of the Qur'an and how
British Columbia (UBC) museum’s invitation to participate "The written form of the Qur'an is the physical form of the
in the opening and to give a talk on calligraphy on the eternal." He pointed out that calligraphy unifies the Ummah
following day. even today: “From China to Canada, from Russia to Africa,
"Calligraphy is a sacred art," he said. "It engages the widespread use of calligraphy still unites Muslims and
both the mind and the soul." Prince Amyn noted that the visibly differentiates them from the followers of other
beauty of the art form lies not only in its content, but in the religions. It is a tradition which endures today amongst
calligraphy itself. “It is meant to be both read and admired,” Muslims scattered across the globe.”
What about the Dead Fish? Graffiti by Shamsia Hassani on the ruins of the Russian
Cultural Centre, Kabul, 2011. The artist was the first female Afghan graffiti artist
and this replica is part of the UBC Museum of Anthropology's exhibit, Traces of
Words: Art and Calligraphy from Asia. Photo: Shamsia Hassan
Summer 2017 • 45
Dr. Anthony Shelton welcomes Prince Amyn to the Traces of Words exhibition at the Museum of Anthropology, at the University of British Columbia
Speaking to the Aga Khan Museum’s collaboration with Anthony Shelton, the UBC museum’s director, echoed
others, Prince Amyn mentioned the formal relationships these sentiments: “Prince Amyn, who is a collector himself,
already established with the Musée du Louvre in Paris, has an ongoing relation with various museums, such as the
France and the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum in New
Russia. “My hope is that our museum will now enter York, the Musée du Louvre in Paris – and we hope, soon, the
into a relationship of such a nature with the Museum of Museum of Anthropology.”
Anthropology too,” he said. “Together we can bring to Dr. Fuyubi Nakamura, the exhibition’s curator, noted
students and the general public, unique insights – new that in 2013, the Ismaili community donated three historical
perspectives on the dialogue of cultures that since all pieces to the Museum of Anthropology, all from the Silk
time have characterized different peoples residing in Road: a 19th century incense set, a 17th century ceramic
different areas of the globe, and which bind us together in a dish containing Arabic script, and a 9th century sheet from
common cultural heritage, thus improving and broadening the Holy Qur'an. In addition, the Aga Khan Museum has lent
understanding, tolerance and brotherhood.” two more pieces of artwork to the museum for the new
exhibition’s duration. v
Prince Sinan, the second child of Prince Rahim and Princess Salwa, pictured together with his parents and brother, Prince Irfan. Photo: The Ismaili
Summer 2017 • 47
INSTITUTIONAL NEWS
The internal divisions of the Shi‘i community - as highlighted in the first part of this article, which was published in the last
edition of The Ismaili USA - can be traced to the dispute over the succession to Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (d. 148/765 CE). After his
death, the majority of his followers eventually recognized his son Musa al-Kazim (d. 183/799 CE) as their next Imam. However,
the other Shi‘i groups acknowledged the Imamat of Musa’s eldest half-brother Isma‘il, the eponym of the Isma‘ili Shi‘ia, or his
son Muhammad b. Isma‘il as successors to the Imamat. Little is known about the life and career of Muhammad b. Isma‘il, the
seventh Imam of the Isma‘ilis, who went into hiding, initiating a period of concealment (dawr al-satr) in early Ismaili history. This
period of concealment lasted until the foundation of the Fatimid caliphate when the Ismaili Imams emerged openly as Fatimid
Caliphs. Henceforth Imam Muhammad b. Isma‘il acquired the epithet al-Maktum (the hidden one), in addition to al-Maymun
(the fortunate one).
The followers of Imam Muhammad b. Isma‘il, the Isma‘ili Shi‘ia, lived in very perilous circumstances in various localities.
By the middle of the 9th century, the Imams had settled in Salamiyya in Syria. During this period, they concealed their identity
from the public and sought to consolidate and organize the widely dispersed Ismaili community. The scholars and local leaders
of the Ismailis, known as da‘is or ‘summoners’, maintained contact with the Imams and organized themselves into a da‘wa,
a network of shared commitment to the Imam and intellectual values. When they emerged into the public limelight at the
beginning of the 10th century, the Ismaili community was remarkably well organized and cohesive.
Map of the Muslim lands and surrounding regions in the late eleventh century, taken from Encounters in Muslim History (Volume One) module of the
IIS Secondary Curriculum. Photo Credit: The Institute of Ismaili Studies.
July 11, 2017 • 49
ISLAMIC CIVILIZATIONS
The Ismaili da‘is sought to extend their influence and forge alliances to create the foundations of an Ismaili state under the
rule of the Imam. The opportunity of laying the foundations for a state gained momentum at the beginning of the 10th century,
when the Ismaili Imam of the Time, ‘Abdallah, moved from Syria to North Africa. In 910 CE, he was proclaimed Amir al-Mu’minin
(‘Commander of the Believers’), with the title of al-Mahdi (‘The Guided One’, equivalent to the idea of ‘The Saviour’). The dynasty
of the Ismaili Imams, who for more than two centuries reigned over an extensive empire centered in Egypt, adopted the title
of al-Fatimiyyun (commonly known as the Fatimids), after Fatima - Prophet Muhammad’s daughter and the wife of Imam ‘Ali,
from whom the Ismaili Imams descended. The proclamation of Imam ‘Abdallah al-Mahdi as the first Fatimid Caliph marked the
beginning of the Ismaili attempt to give a concrete shape to their vision of Shi‘i Islam.
The Fatimid period represented the ‘golden age’ of Ismaili Shi‘ism, when the Ismailis possessed a state of their own, and
Ismaili scholarship and literature attained their summit. The Fatimids expanded their influence and authority, from their initial
base in the present-day Tunisia, advancing to Egypt during the reign of the fourth Fatimid Imam and Caliph, Al-Mu‘izz. In 973
CE, Imam-Caliph al-Mu‘izz transferred the Fatimid capital from North Africa to the new city of al-Qahira (Cairo), which was
founded by the Fatimids in 969 CE. Henceforth, Cairo became the centre of a flourishing empire, which at its peak extended
westward to North Africa, Sicily, and other Mediterranean locations, and eastward to Palestine, Syria, Yemen, and Hijaz with the
holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
The founding of the Fatimid caliphate also provided the opportunity to spread the Ismaili Shi‘i da‘wa. The religio-political
messages of the Ismaili da‘wa were disseminated by networks of da‘is within the Fatimid dominions as well as in other regions.
The Fatimid da‘wa activities reached their peak in the long reign of Imam al-Mustansir Bi’llah. The da‘is successfully converted
many in Iraq, Persia, Central and South Asia, as well as in Yemen. Some of the most eminent da‘is and scholars of the Fatimid
da‘wa were: Abu Ya‘qub al-Sijistani, al-Qadi al-Nu‘man, Hamid al-Din al-Kirmani, al-Mu’ayyad fi’l-Din al-Shirazi and Nasir-i
Khusraw.
In the last decade of the 11th century, the Ismaili da‘wa witnessed a schism over the question of succession to the
Imam and Caliph al-Mustansir Bi’llah (d.1094 CE). One section of the Ismaili communities of Egypt, Yemen and western India
recognized his younger son al-Musta‘li, who had succeeded to the Fatimid throne as the next caliph. The other faction based
in Persia, under the leadership of Hasan-i Sabbah supported al-Mustansir’s elder son and designated heir, Nizar, as the rightful
Imam. The Nizari Ismaili Imams of modern times, known under their hereditary title of the Aga Khan, trace their descent to
Imam Nizar. Today, the two Ismaili branches are known as the Musta‘li and Nizari, named after al-Mustansir’s sons who claimed
his heritage.
Summer 2017 • 51
ISLAMIC CIVILIZATIONS
Mawlana Hazar Imam and Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Rui Machete, sign a landmark agreement establishing a formal Seat of
the Ismaili Imamat in Portugal, on June 4, 2015
Muslim interests in troubled times, and his commitment to the advancement of education, particularly for Muslim women,
reflect some of his significant achievements. It was under his leadership as Imam that the Nizari Ismailis were transformed into
a progressive community, enabling them to adapt successfully to the challenges of the 20th century.
Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah was succeeded by his grandson Shah Karim al-Husayni, in 1957, as the forty-ninth Imam
of the Nizari Ismaili community, who has substantially expanded the modernization policies of his grandfather. Indeed, he
has created a complex institutional network, referred to as the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which implements
numerous projects in a variety of social, economic and cultural domains. Mawlana Hazar Imam has been particularly concerned
with the education of Ismailis and Muslims in general. In the field of higher education, his major initiatives include: The Institute
of Ismaili Studies, founded in London in 1977 for the promotion of general Islamic as well as Shi‘i and Ismaili studies, and the
Aga Khan University in Pakistan and Africa, with faculties in medicine, nursing and education, as well as its Institute for the
Study of Muslim Civilizations, based in London. In 2000, he founded the University of Central Asia with campuses in Tajikistan,
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, which aim to address the specific educational needs of the region's mountain-based societies.
Mawlana Hazar Imam takes a personal interest in the operations of all his institutions, and activities.
Numbering more than ten million, today the Nizari Ismaili heritage includes cultural contributions of the Ismailis of Central
Asia, South Asia, Iran and the Arab Middle East. During the 19th and 20th centuries, many Ismailis from South Asia migrated to
Africa and settled there. In more recent times, Ismailis have also migrated to North America, Europe and Asia Pacific countries.
However, despite such a diversity of ethnicity and cultures, the shared values that unite Nizari Ismailis are centerd on their
allegiance to a living Imam. The guidance and the efforts of the Ismaili Imam have enabled the Ismaili community to emerge
as progressive Shi‘i Muslims in more than twenty-five countries around the world, where they generally enjoy exemplary
standards of living while retaining their distinctive religious identity. v
Nearly 265,000 voters cast ballots late last year to elect Sean Hassan on the Austin
Community College Board of Trustees. He ran on a platform to provide affordable child
care as well as expanded public transportation. As the cost of living in Austin increases
rapidly and economic inequality pushes low-income and working-class families out
of the city, transportation and childcare have become crucial for adults completing
higher education.
Sean cites Mawlana Hazar Imam’s commitment to education, specifically in early
childhood, as a motivation to run for office. He adds that he hoped “to serve the most
vulnerable within the Austin community by leveraging our community college system
to do so.”
A deep commitment to equality in education runs in Sean’s blood. In his 2011
commencement address to fellow Stanford Law School graduates, he recognized his
mother, who was a school teacher before moving to the United States at 24 years old.
Sean Hassan He recalls her working late nights at her business just to spend evenings and weekends
doing homework, rehearsing campaign speeches and shuttling to school competitions
with him and his brother. Additionally, he owns a child care and early childhood
education center outside Houston.
Sean uses the Imam’s example of building early childhood education programs
in the world’s poorest regions, and encouraging all families to enroll their children.
Through his own memory of Jamati educational programs, he learned Islam is rooted
in a commitment to justice, fairness, and care for the most vulnerable in society. He
concluded his address at Stanford Law with the Islamic teaching that “differences are not
meant to only be tolerated, but encouraged and celebrated...as it is through difference
that we learn from one another.”
It is this spirit of learning and growing that earned Sean endorsements from US
Congressman Lloyd Doggett, four of the current ten Austin City Council members, and
the Austin Chronicle. With compassion and persistent commitment to social justice, he
hopes that during his term, more community college students than ever will gain skills
and jobs in cutting-edge industries to secure bright futures. v
Summer 2017 • 53
COMMUNITY
SPOTLIGHT
Some people spend their entire livelihoods helping others and making impacts.
Rehan Alimohammed of Sugar Land, Texas, is no exception.
In addition to being a partner in charge of immigration and tax law at the Texas
office of Wong Fleming, Rehan was recently elected the Chair for the State Bar of Texas,
one of the largest state bars in the country with 100,000 members. He is the first
attorney of Asian descent and the first immigration attorney to earn the prominent role.
“Being the only Asian and the only immigration attorney allows me to bring a
different perspective to the table,” he said. “The State Bar does a lot of work for the public
and I aim to give back to the community at large.”
As Chair, Rehan hopes to address the issue of increasing number of young
attorneys starting their own practices with limited experience and mentorship. As
someone who has surrounded himself with people and mentors that have instilled and
passed on important values, he is a firm believer that people and relationships enable
Rehan Alimohammed success — and hopes to pass on the same mentorship to others as well. He never sits
behind his desk. Instead, he goes to networking events, meets people and aims to find
new mentors. “Find a good mentor. Find someone to help you. Then help the public,”
he said.
Adding to his list of accomplishments, Rehan was recognized as one of Houston’s
top attorneys by Houstonian Magazine — and as one of the “Five Outstanding Young
Texans” by the Texas Junior Chamber of Commerce, particularly for his exceptional
legal pro bono service.
When it comes to Jamati service, as a member of the Council for the Southwestern
US in legal matters, Rehan aided in the development of 1,000 wills for members of the
Jamat. Having a will can legally protect families and their assets after a relative has
passed away. Working with other legal volunteers, he learned that “people always want
to help — if you give them an opportunity, they will take it.”
Rehan plans to continue learning, serving and mentoring as his career progresses
so that he can share his knowledge and experience with others. He advises others to
do the same. “No matter the route you take in life, there’s always something to learn. It’s
about what you take away from it,” he said. v
CNN Heroes honors “people who have inspired us through their brave actions,
heartfelt deeds, and powerful impact on the world.” The network receives thousands of
submissions each year of individuals doing extraordinary things, from those nominated,
only a few are chosen. On May 5, 2017, the network honored twenty five year old Samir
Lakhani as a CNN Hero. Samir is the founder Eco-Soap Bank, a nonprofit organization
that has helped save Cambodian children and improve their quality of life while
boosting the local economy.
Samir majored in environmental studies, and as a Junior at the University of
Pittsburgh, he traveled to Cambodia to complete an internship. His intent was to study
climate change but while there, he saw a mother bathing her newborn baby in a basin
filled with laundry powder and water—soap is a luxury most Cambodians cannot afford.
Samir Lakhani with employees in He learned that children living in rural areas are vulnerable to disease simply because
Cambodia. Photo: Sharon Radisch
they are unable to wash their hands. One in five deaths of Cambodian children younger
than 5 are caused by poor hygiene practices.
While staying at a hotel, Samir noticed that they threw out their partly-used bars
of soap. He saw this as an opportunity to improve the community’s hygiene problems
and prevent disease. With only two weeks left in Cambodia, he devised an initiative
to recycle and distribute the leftover soap. He rode his bicycle to as many hotels as he
could, and single-handedly convinced them to donate their used soap.
Upon his return to the United States, while finishing his last year of college,
Samir founded Eco-Soap Bank, and began fund raising, talking to mentors, making
presentations to Rotary Clubs and other organizations. He turned to crowd-funding and
took advantage of the offers of many individuals who also offered to donate their skills
to the venture, and learning everything he could about running a nonprofit.
Eco-Soap Bank’s team packages soap Samir was able to hire two Cambodian women to pick up and recycle the soap
before distribution. Photo: Sharon Radisch from 10 hotels that had agreed to participate in his initiative. Within a short time, a
Cambodian city learned what Samir was doing and enrolled 200 hotels in donating
their soap. Currently, Eco-Soap Bank works with 400 hotels, and has branches in four
different Cambodian cities. Eco-Soap provides its 45 local employees English and
computer classes.
Currently Eco-Soap Bank’s management team works on a voluntary basis, yet
it is the largest soap supplier in Southeast Asia, and it is expanding to Nepal and
Rwanda. When asked what inspired him, Samir stated that he inherits his ethics of
generosity and altruism from his parents. “They are the biggest lights of my life,” he
proudly proclaims. v
Summer 2017 • 55
SPOTLIGHT
At a distance, Zaki Ali could be any student tinkering on a laptop in the grassy fields
at the University of California Berkeley. Up close, he’s hard at work programming and
analyzing data. Zaki is an astronomer who uses radio telescopes to look for signs of the
first stars and galaxies that formed after the Big Bang over 10 billion years ago.
Zaki is currently a sixth-year PhD student at UC Berkeley’s Department of
Astronomy working with the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA) research
team, whose main goal is to detect the first era of star and galaxy formation. He explains
how after the Big Bang, the universe was too hot for collapsed structures (like stars)
to form and became filled with a “soup of particles” instead. After a couple of billion
years, the universe was cool enough to form stars and galaxies as we know them today.
This transition is an important period because all the elements we are made of, except
hydrogen and helium, are only formed with stars and supernovas (death of stars).
Astronomer Zaki Ali
“Essentially, we are made of star matter, and if it wasn't for stars, we wouldn't be here
today,” Zaki explained.
Zaki and the HERA team are using 331 giant radio telescopes (each approximately
50 feet wide) to capture images of those first, never-before-seen galaxies in the Karoo
Desert—a very isolated area in South Africa where Zaki is sheathed by starlight. “The sky
in the Karoo Desert is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen…there's one of everything
in the sky. It seems to put your place in the universe into perspective.”
Zaki still vividly remembers when he first told someone that he wanted to really
look at the stars and study astronomy. It was his ninth grade teacher, and she advised
him to study ‘real science’, because a career in astronomy was far from glamorous or
lucrative. Following a more traditional path, Zaki started his undergraduate studies as
a pre-medical student. It wasn’t long before he was pulled back to his passion during
a transformative Physics class where Zaki realized that “everything that is known about
the world can be miraculously explained through mathematics.” Adding one class after
another, he changed his concentration to Astronomy and Math.
Zaki plans to graduate with his PhD in May 2018. While he is unsure of what to
pursue next, he is looking forward to using the skills and knowledge he’s gained in
astrophysics to continue learning, growing, and helping others.
He advises everyone to trust intuition and seek new experiences. “They’ll teach
you new skills and expose you to new ideas, laying the groundwork for your future
self,” Zaki said. I never thought I would have ended up where I am if it wasn't for trying
something new.” v
Six decades ago, Mawlana Hazar Imam said he would devote his life to improving the condition of the global Jamat,
continuing the legacy of service practiced by the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. Among the Imam’s initiatives, development
of opportunities for the youth has been at the forefront of his duties, establishing a foundation for the success that we
encounter today.
Expansion of education has been a clear mandate of the Imamat to prepare our youth for challenges amidst the demands
of modern society. Building on the legacy of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah’s Aga Khan schools and the founding of Aligarh
University, Hazar Imam has facilitated the growth of top-tier international institutions of learning. This is evidenced by the
presence of the Aga Khan University and the University of Central Asia at the forefront of knowledge across the world.
From the opening of internationally renowned institutes of higher education to the development of local enrichment
programs, the Imam’s institutions have endeavored to set the stage for the educational advancement of Ismaili youth and
others, allowing us to spearhead the advancement of our local and national communities.
In his 2016 address at the Opening Ceremony of the University of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan, Hazar Imam stressed that,
“in a time of rapid change … there is no greater form of preparation…than education… there is no better investment that
the individual, parents, and the nation can make than an investment in education of the highest possible quality.”
The Imam’s emphasis on embracing education to guide us through the turbulent nature of our changing world is evident
in projects hosted by the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board. Events such as the College Expeditions, and student networking
events, bestow a unique advantage that fortify youth to withstand the forces of the increasingly competitive nature of
applying to college or seeking employment.
However, the Imam’s focus is not limited to the advancement of students in secondary education. He has repeatedly
underscored the importance of early childhood education to establish a high baseline for our youth’s achievement.
In a conversation at the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Hazar Imam referenced the findings of Canadian neuroscientists
stating, “the process of human development is more rapid and more lasting in a child from birth to four,” emphasizing that, “we
have to try and make sure that early childhood development process is as strong as possible… about food, about intellectual
stimulation, discovery, the whole process of development.” v
Summer 2017 • 57
COMMUNITY
YOUTH IN ACTION
A Gift of Service
Sharjeel Momin
Sheila Lalani (front row, third from the left) with her “Rays of Light” team
Summer 2017 • 59
YOUTH IN ACTION
A synchronized figure skater exceeded all expectations when she brought home
the gold in the 2017 Zagreb Snowflakes Trophy in Croatia as part of the 20 member USA
team. This was Aliyah Shaikh's first international tournament, but she is no stranger
to challenges and competitions. Working her way up to Junior level through strength
conditioning, early morning practices and weekend training, she shows us that with
determination, support, and dedication, anything is possible.
Her journey began at age five, when she started training, and knew this would
be her sport. “Before I can even remember, I’ve been skating. Starting in group classes,
performing in shows, allowed me to mature and gain confidence as a young kid. ”There
are many aspects of figure skating she enjoys, saying, “The creative costumes and
sparkling lights was something I would never give up. Being in the spotlight, showing
off, that was my type of life. There was always something to work on.” Aliyah also really
enjoyed the team aspect of figure skating, saying that these are experiences she will
cherish for a lifetime.
Aliyah consistently works to keep a balance between her practice, school and
social life. But she is not the only one who has sacrificed to succeed in this sport. From
early morning practices to late night competitions, her parents are always there to
support and encourage her. Figure skating is a huge financial commitment, say her
parents, Akbar Shaikh and Viktoria Koutergina, as "the time on ice is expensive. Aliyah
had up to three instructors teaching, and she had to be on ice twice a day, seven days a
Aliyah Shaikh after Team USA won the
Snowflake Trophy Gold in Zagreb, Croatia week." As parents of a busy 15 year old, they "focused on three things, her secular and
religious education and skating. We don’t remember any family gathering where we
stayed late.”
"When the national anthem started playing and the flag was being raised, I felt
strong emotions of pride and respect," recalls Aliyah. She adds, "As the medal was being
placed around my neck, I felt a surge of honor to represent my Ismaili community, and
perhaps as one of the only Muslim girls on Team USA.” Her parents were thrilled too,
saying, “To inspire her we would remind her that Mawlana Hazar Imam skied in the
Olympics, and once Aliyah and her team secured gold, it was like dream come true, an
achievement for all of us as a community.”
Aliyah hopes to inspire the Ismaili youth to step out of their comfort zones. She
says “with dedication and an open mind, you can go anywhere. It isn’t about winning
but the feeling you get. I want to inspire our community to learn about the sport.”
Teaching Midwest Ismaili youth to skate, Aliyah is doing just that. But competitive
skating is not for the faint-hearted; her tip to anyone considering it---“Bring a tissue
box– you’ll need it.”
Alternative Winter Break participant Sheron Virani such as the Aga Khan Youth & Sports Board for the
USA’s Alternative Winter Break (AWB) and Alternative
Spring Break (ASB) bring together Ismaili university
students from across the country to engage in service
activities. These programs last five days, during which
participants engage in service projects and workshops
to learn about issues facing the community. This past
year, AWB took place in Los Angeles and ASB took
place in Houston.
Students are drawn to the program as it
allows an opportunity to spend school vacation
time meaningfully, while being socially conscious.
According to ASB participant Alizeh Karmali, the
program allowed her to “do something different,
Summer 2017 • 61
COMMUNITY
YOUTH IN ACTION
Members of the Council for the Western United States, volunteers from the Jamat, and the Ismaili Choir, with Aziza Hassan (far right) and Daniel Tamm
(second row), at the Trailblazer event
The Aga Khan Council for the Western United States was presented with the
Trailblazer Award by NewGround: A Muslim Jewish Partnership for Change. The Council
was recognized for its continued support of the community through exemplary
voluntary service. Additionally, State Senator Ben Allen sent a Certificate of
Recognition for "commitment to the community."
The Trailblazer Luncheon, held on March 26th, 2017, attended by 300 guests in
Los Angeles, featured panels of the nominations for the 2016 Aga Khan Award for
Architecture, and the Ismaili Choir, whose choral selections included Arabic, Hebrew,
Farsi, Hindi and English.
Trailblazer Awards were presented also to Melissa Balaban, Founder and Executive
Director of IKAR, a Jewish organization, and the Day School Exchange between Sinai
Muneerah Merchant, President
of the Aga Khan Council for the Akiba and New Horizon Schools.
Western United States (center) Daniel Tamm, Interfaith Liaison for Mayor Eric Garcetti, spoke of the Aga Khan
with Aziza Hassan, Executive
Director of NewGround, and Council's efforts and contributions to the Los Angeles community, citing the example
David Tamm, Interfaith Liaison for of the Ismaili community preparing welcome baskets for impoverished families
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Photos: Zain Delawalla moving into independent housing.
Accepting the Award, Ms. Muneerah Merchant, President of the Aga Khan
Council for the Western United States, spoke about the Council’s strong commitment
to promoting a cosmopolitan ethic through acts of service. v
Summer 2017 • 63
COMMUNITY
The Retirement Savings Plan Launch, Houston Banner for the RSP workshop in Houston
Studies have shown that most retirees in this country have not saved enough during their working lives to enjoy their
sunset years comfortably. Social security payments are generally not sufficient to provide adequate means for this and with an
aging population and stresses on this program, one cannot rely exclusively on such payments during retirement.
The Jamat’s quality of life is a major concern to Mawlana Hazar Imam, and he has provided guidance to improve the Jamat’s
savings habits. The Aga Khan Economic Planning Board (AKEPB) and the Trade Associations have launched the Retirement
Savings Program (RSP), to help the Jamat build meaningful savings for retirement, improve their financial security, and grow
their wealth over time.
Personal retirement finance can often be complicated and confusing, with technical terms and a proliferation of low-
quality, poor performing products. As a result, RSP has focused on simplicity and quality by increasing awareness and educating
Jamati members about retirement planning, through a partnership with a leading brokerage firm, Charles Schwab. The firm
is providing access to individual retirement (IRAs) and brokerage accounts, and utilizing its innovative “Intelligent Portfolio”
program to ensure that Jamati members' investments are allocated into diversified, high-quality, and low-cost funds.
At sessions in our largest cities,RSP has linked upwards of 600 Jamati members with these savings products. Certified
Financial Advisers from the Jamat are on hand to help members understand their options and enroll in the right set of savings
products. Sessions are conducted in both English and a secondary language (generally Hindi / Urdu or Gujarati).
After one year, and due to efforts of Jamati volunteers and Trade Association's leadership, we have seen much of the
participants’ assets that were uninvested, being moved into high quality investment products. One participant noted that he “had
been so busy with work and life” that he “never thought about retirement.” Thanks to RSP, he added, “now we can live better.”
As we enter the second half of 2017, we expect these numbers to grow substantially with the launch of AKEPB’s
comprehensive Financial Planning Program (FPP). The program will deploy a holistic strategy to address financial needs of
various segments of the Jamat, provide one-on-one consultations, and help them make informed investment decisions.
While RSP solely focused on retirement, FPP will encompass the full range of financial topics, from emergency funds to
college savings and estate planning. AKEPB hopes that Jamati members save a bare minimum of 10% of their income via
high quality savings products. One Jamati member noted she “never knew how a small start in savings could accumulate
significantly over the years.”
Over the coming year, RSP and FPP will continue with the goal of helping members build wealth and economic security
over time. In so doing, they will further the Imam’s vision of making financial planning part of every family’s philosophy,
practices and habits. v
Paras Bhayani is the Member for Financial Services on AKEPB. He works in asset management, and lives and works in New York.