CANADA 2008 Padhramni, Event, News and Testimonies

Dates, testimonies, articles, descriptions
Important_Information
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:17 am

CANADA 2008 Padhramni, Event, News and Testimonies

Post by Important_Information »


YAM

Canada Padramni

The official website is live and will be ready for international registration soon. http://www.goldenjubileecanada.org

Kind regards
Kasim Ali
Admin
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Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2003 10:37 am
Contact:

Post by Admin »

Golden Jubilee Volunteers Registration


Council for Canada

Volunteers' registration is now in progress for all Golden Jubilee programs and events, including, inshallah, the Visit. In order for us to meet the requirements of all of these initiatives, we encourage the Jamat to register. This information will enable appropriate allocation of duties and for the planning of training sessions.

Please register through the web-based system at the Golden Jubilee Canada website or with the volunteers at individual Jamatkhanas.

www.goldenjubileecanada.org/English/volregister.aspx

For further information, please e-mail hrteam@iicanada.org.
sassy
Posts: 67
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2003 11:04 am

Post by sassy »

Yam ,<BR>as my previous post of sept 16, MHI will give deedar to canadian jamat starting from NOV 19 onwards,
MHI arriving Ottawa on NOV 18 or 19
Deedar in Toronto NOV 22 or 23
PLS DO NOT BUY AIRLINE TICKETS UNTIL OFFICIAL ANNOUCEMENT FROM LIF
but be prepared for these dates
sassy
Posts: 67
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2003 11:04 am

Post by sassy »

YAM

These dates are tentative dates( until annouced by LIF) However, the venue has been booked ( Rogers Center) Toronto Darbar Dates Nov 22 and 23

Each TO Darbar to hold approx 19-21000.
due to limited seating in TO, Intl jamat may be asked to go to calgary or Van ( according to my sources, )
The Building of MHI stage has already started
sassy
Posts: 67
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2003 11:04 am

Post by sassy »

IF the Dardar happens o&shy;n Nov 22/23, still not confirmed )&nbsp;the venue is Rogers Center, The council has arranged for parking @ o&shy;ntario place & CNE grounds will there will be shuttle buses to take the jamat to roger, center.. no frre rides o&shy;n public transit.<BR>however, if nov 22/23 is cancelled, then we have to wait for another date,<BR>
bantu
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2008 4:55 am

Post by bantu »

I think ADMIN has been pretty straightforward whenever he has known anything about the Darbar dates.

It is a well known fact that locations across Canada were booked a while ago for the Darbar celebrations. The Darbar dates were probably not confirmed from LIF but there should have been an announcement from the Council to indicate that while halls had been booked on specific dates, the Jamat should not proceed to finalize their travel arrangements in terms of monetary commitments. It may be noted that many major hotels have generous reservation and cancellation policies and most of them will allow cancellations to be made same day of arrival or 24 hours prior to arrival. It is common sense therefore to have certain information revealed to the Jamat earlier. Of course this carries with it certain disadvantages such as blame if and when the dates are changed.

Anyway, my hope is that the leadership will do the needful to have everyone truly excited about the visit of Mawlana Hazar Imam to Canada, including making arrangements for the Jamat to be present to welcome Hazar Imam at various locations. There are a number of initiatives the leadership can take including asking the Prime Minister or Provincial Premiers to have Mawlana Hazar Imam greet the community from the steps of the Parliament or legislature buildings, or for the Jamat line up at various locations in the cities that he wil be visiting us.

When I was a young child of around 5 to 10 years, the fondest memories that I have of Hazar Imam's Didar was the flag waving, the welcoming, laying flower pots on the stair cases of the Jamat Khana entrance steps. In Portugal several years later, in addtion to the Darbar, it was receiving and seeing off Khudavind at the airport.

Let's see how visionary we can be with regard to taking steps to making this visit for everyone, from a youndg child to the olderly a truly memorable one.
sphinx
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:37 pm

the news is out

Post by sphinx »

the news is out:

22/23rd in Toronto
24th Calgary
25th in Vancouver

MHI will be back in Ottawa on Dec 5/6/7th to open the AKDN building.

Congrats.
frank4462
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2008 4:43 pm

Post by frank4462 »

<STRONG>Travellodge Calgary Airport Booked for $75 Single or double under "Ismailies".<BR><BR>Booking is from Nov 21-25.&nbsp; (403 291 1260) Airport shuttle Available<BR><BR>As well as BW Airport Inn for $99 (403 250 5015) Airport Shuttle Available<BR><BR></STRONG>&nbsp;
sassy
Posts: 67
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2003 11:04 am

Post by sassy »

Yam and Mubaraki to all
On Oct 16, I had posted the dates of Hazer Imams visit to Canada( Nov 18-25) 3 weeks ;before the official annoucement.

For Intl jamat planning to Attend Toronto darbar, pls pls register as soon as the "http://www.goldenjubilee.org" website open on Nov 12, as there is very very limited space for Intl jamatEach Darbar in Toronto to hold approx 19-21000
Toronto and Districts approx 25000 plus
Ottawa,Quebec and marintime provinces approx 8-9000<BR>So My guess is only 5-6000 Intl jamat will be allowed to register for Toronto Darbar
kmaherali
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Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

The Intezaari program started on a very positive note, reflecting the air of anticipation and excitement. After the announcement the whole Jamat arose for shukrana tasbi preceded by the recitation of the verse:

ejee shaamku aava(n)taa jo kahe - taaku(n) laakh vadhaai
paa(n)ch sakhee kero vahaalmo - kene meeleeyore bhaai
shamku(n) ddhu(n)ddha(n)te dekhte - ketaa jug gayaa viraa ketaa bhavbhayaa.............................................1

Countless blessings be given to the one who says that the Lord is coming! Lucky is the man who has met the one who is loved by the Five Friends, o brother!
R: In searching and looking for the Lord how many ages have passed, o brother, how many lives have been spent!

After the Shukrana tasbi the following verses of the Ginan 'Aana(n)d Aana(n)d Kariyo Rikhisaro' were recited:

ejee aana(n)d aana(n)d kariyo rikheesaro
avval shaah tame paayaa......................................1

Rejoice rejoice devotees, for you have attained (the recognition of) the First Lord(i.e Hazar Imaam).


ejee meelo ne meelaao rikheesaro
meelee karee kariyo kamaai...................................2

O devotees, meet together and bring others together. Having met thus, perform rewarding deeds.

ejee rikheesaro ne shaah maaro ugaarshe
ne karannee tannaa fal deshe.................................4

My Lord will save the devotees and will reward them for their deeds.

ejee bhanne peer sadardeen satgur bhirmaa
tame cheto te chetanhaar.....................................7

Peer Sadardeen who is the True Guide and the Creator teaches: be careful and vigilant, o the watchful ones

After the Jamat was seated, the following verses of the Ginan 'Sami Rajo aave Jangi Dhol were recited.

ejee saamee raajo aave ja(n)gee ddhol vajaave
chaudeese chaa(n)ddhrudde hu-aa
re ho praannee yaa kaayam jee aaradho
alakh purakh ne ma veesaaro - shaahaa purakh ne re sambhaaro
re ho praanneeyaa kaayam jeene aaraadho......................1

When the Lord the Master will arrive, the drums of the army will beat
and all the four directions will be radiant with the Light of the Moon
(the Imaam). Oh living or animate beings, adore or worship the
everliving entity. Do not forget the perfect and indescriptible Lord.
Remember the perfect and complete Imaam (and His guidances).
Oh living or animate beings, adore or worship the everliving...

[The beating of the drums and the radiance of the moon alludes
to the very evident nature of His arrival. At a personal level,
when the Lord enters the heart of a mureed, the experience is very clear
and there is no doubt about the authenticity or the veracity of the experience.
After the experience, the life of the mureed is enlightened by the Light of faith
and is on sirat-al- mustaqueem permanently.]


ejee namannee ne khamannee veeraa hasee hasee meelannaa
kaam krodh doe taajo - re ho praannee-aa.....................2

Through humility and patience, brothers, a great deal of happiness is attained.
Lust and anger are both eliminated as a result of the happiness.
[The joy of the higher eliminates the joys of the lower nature.]

ejee e geenaan mahaaras peer bhannaave sadardeen
e geenaan ameeras ladhaa - re ho praannee-aa................10

This 'geenaan' which is full of great nector (nourishment of the soul -
knowledge and wisdom), is taught by Peer Sadardeen. In this 'geenaan'
we have found 'ameeras', holy water (water of life).

There was sherbat and cake followed by raas programme.

From yesterday until the day of the Padhramni there will be special giriazari tasbi after the evening tasbi. There were waezes in all JKs as well. There was also a special session for students and professionals on the significance of Deedar and the adab.
From_Alamut
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Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:22 am

Post by From_Alamut »

SARDINIA wrote:ANY BODY KNOWS WHAT IS THE ADDRESS OF ROGERS CENTER.
It might be here, check the Map :
http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&um=1&i ... 1&ct=image
kmaherali
Posts: 25107
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Muslim leader to visit Calgary

Graeme Morton
Calgary Herald


Tuesday, November 11, 2008


The Aga Khan, spiritual leader to the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims, will pay a visit to Calgary this month.

The local stop on Nov. 24 -- the Aga Khan's first visit to Calgary in 16 years -- will be part of a weeklong tour of Canada, marking his 50th year at the head of the global Ismaili community. Canada is the 14th country the Aga Khan will visit as part of the celebration, with other stops in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.

"We've been anticipating the possibility that he might come to Calgary, but to have it confirmed now is very exciting," says Calgary Ismaili community member Sameera Sereda.

"There are a whole generation of young Ismailis who have never had the opportunity to see him."

Calgarian Mansoor Ladha had the chance to interview the Aga Khan as a young journalist working in Tanzania in 1970.

"We've been waiting for months and months for this announcement to come," Ladha said. "There will be Ismailis coming to Calgary from all across the Prairie provinces for this day."

Community member Almoonir Dewji said Calgary's Ismaili population has doubled to about 10,000 since the Aga Khan's last visit here.

"There's a tremendous feeling of grace and blessing that he's coming again," says Dewji.

"He is a great role model to me personally, because he embodies the teaching of the prophet in the current time."

Details of the Aga Khan's schedule while in Calgary are still being finalized, but a large communal gathering at Stampede Park is planned.

In addition to his spiritual leadership, the Aga Khan has gained widespread attention for his humanitarian and economic development work in a number of Third World nations. He has been a champion of Islamic art and architecture and of the restoration and preservation of ancient Muslim archeological sites.

The Aga Khan has developed close ties with Canadian leaders through the years, lauding our country as an example of religious pluralism in a world often torn along racial and spiritual lines.

gmorton@theherald.canwest.com

© The Calgary Herald 2008
sassy
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Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2003 11:04 am

Post by sassy »

Toronto j.k have been broken down into 2 seperate days...some toronto Jkwill be on Day 1 and the others wil be Day 2 from what i know willowdale J.k is Day 1
Unionville , Richmondhill Day 2
kmaherali
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Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Aga Khan to make jubilee visit to B.C.

The Province


Wednesday, November 12, 2008


The Aga Khan will visit Vancouver on Nov. 25 for a Golden Jubilee anniversary meeting with members of B.C.'s Shia Ismaili Muslim community.

"The community is very excited about having His Highness visit," said Farid Damji, a volunteer with the Ismaili Council of B.C.

The Aga Khan has been spiritual leader, or Imam, to the ethnically-diverse community of Ismailis for the past 50 years.

Many of his 20,000 followers in the province are expected to gather at B.C. Place Stadium for a ceremonial afternoon.

"He will deliver a message and meet community leaders," said Damji.

The trip is part of a worldwide tour this year. The Canadian portion runs Nov. 18-25 and Dec. 5-6.

© The Vancouver Province 2008
sodabottlecanopnerwala
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:21 pm

Post by sodabottlecanopnerwala »

@SARDINIA: If you need the address of rogers centre, it is:
One Blue Jays Way
Toronto, Ontario
M5V 1J1

Additional information can be found at the following URL:
http://www.rogerscentre.com/contactus/

The address of the Direct Energy Centre, which, according to a previous post by sassy, is where the Intezari program will take place is:
100 Princes’ Blvd., Toronto ON M6K 3C3
[source: http://directenergycentre.com/contact.html]

Best wishes and Darbar Mubarak.
Admin
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Post by Admin »

REMINDER:

FLASH: CANADA DIDARS DATES - MUBARAKI! We are most happy to inform the Jamat that, in the next phase of the current cycle of Golden Jubilee visits, and in response to the invitation from the Government, our beloved Mowlana Hazar Imam will grace Canada with His presence from the 18th to the 25th of November 2008. Mowlana Hazar Imam's visit is scheduled to commence in Ottawa where He will engage with Federal Government officials focusing on current and projected Imamat and AKDN initiatives. Thereafter, Mowlana Hazar Imam will proceed to three other cities, namely, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver where He will grant Golden Jubilee Darbars and will also meet with Provincial Government and civic leaders. Mowlana Hazar Imam will depart from Canada on the 25th of November. Mowlana Hazar Imam is scheduled to return to Canada on the 5th of December, 2008, and on the 6th, will preside over the inauguration ceremony of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa, to be performed in the presence of the Prime Minister Honourable Stephen Harper. At this time, Mowlana Hazar Imam will also hold formal consultations with the Prime Minister as well as senior government Ministers and other officials. Toronto will have darbars over a period of 2 days for the Jamat from Eastern Canada on the 22nd and the 23rd at the Rogers Centre. Quebec & Maritimes jamat is to have darbar on Sunday 23rd November. Calgary for the Jamat from Edmonton and the Prairies on November 24th and Vancouver for the Jamat from British Columbia on November 25th. All Darbars in Canada are open to guests from the International Jamat. Please register online for volunteering and darbar at http://goldenjubileecanada.org. If you have already registered, please be sure to update your entry.

Message to Canadian Residents: All information must be corrected by November 13th, 2008. Once the Darbar Access Cards are printed, you will not be able to change the information online. You will need to go to a Registration Desk at a local Jamatkhana to make any changes and there will be a delay in reissuing a new card. Hotels should be booked immediately and a discount code can be obtained from your local jamat where applicable.

Message to International Jamat: Registration for the International Jamat will commence on Wednesday, November 12th, 2008. Please note that International visitors cannot be registered by their local relatives and friends until the International registration site opens. Registration will close once sites have reached capacity. More Information to come...
Admin
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Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2003 10:37 am
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Post by Admin »

GIVEN HERE UNDER FEW JAMATKHANAS AT TORONTO FOR YOUR READY

REFERENCE.







METRO TORONTO JAMATKHANAS ADDRESS

Headquarters-149-151 Bartley Dr. North York Ontario M4A 1C9
416 751 7821

Bayview-Zion Heights Junior High- 5900 Leslie st. North York M2H 1J9
416 493 4111

Brampton- 525 North Park Drive Brampton OnL6S 5X4
905 450 8504

Don mills 80 Overlea Boul Don mills Ontario M4H 1C5
416 696 7882

Dundas West -St Lukes Catholic School

319 Ossington Ave Toronto Ontario M6J 3A6

Temp jk- St Mary Catholic School- 20 Portugal Square Toronto Ontari M5J 3P2
416 393 5347

416 393 5205

Etobicoke 100 Skyway Ave. Etobicoke ON M9W 4Y9
905 674 2388

Greenland Gateway Public School-53 Gateway boul Donmills M3C 1B4
416 397 2970

Mississauga -375 A Matheson Boul East Mississauga L4Z 1X8
905 755 0003

Oshawa 83 Byng Avenue Oshawa Ontario L1G 3N2
416 725 1626

Pickering 520 Westney Road South, Unit 12 Ajax

Exit westney south,pass bayly street,clements road and then turn right
905 426 8730

Richmond Hill Richmond Green Sec School

1 William F Bell Parkway Richmond Hill L4S 1A1 (f-s)

Jubilee Gardens-102 yorkland Boul- ( m-th)
905 508 7303

905 770 9600

Scarborough 695 Middlefield Road Toronto Ontario- M1V 5B8
416 298 7948

Thorncliffe Marc Garneau Collegiate-135 Overlea Boul, Donmills On M3C 1B3
416 396 2410

Unionville 350 Applecreek Blvd Markham On L3R 9X7
905 513 9862

Willowdale 435 McNicoll Ave. North York On
416 492 4509

492 9503

Yorkmills - Victoria Park Secondary School-15 Wallingford Road, North York at Cassandra Boulevard
416 395 3310

BARRIE JK- 128 Brock Street , Barrie Ontario

Mukhisaheb- Alrafik Pabani 705 739 7521/ Yasmin Dawood 717 9860
(705) 726 8155

NIAGRA FALLS JK 347 Airport Rd,Unit 1
Niagara On The Lake
905-641-5781
sassy
Posts: 67
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2003 11:04 am

Post by sassy »

anyone driving into Toronto from West( hamilton, buffallo. USA_)
take QEW ..this turns into Garnier Expressway... Exit SPADINA AVE.
go north I -2 blocks TURN RIGHT( FRONT STREET) Rogers centre on your right side a minute away
Taj69
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 6:37 pm

Post by Taj69 »

Special Announcement from Council for Canada

The Council for Canada wishes to advise the Jamat that in order to respond to the overwhelming number of requests from the international Jamat for participation in the Canadian Darbars and following consultations and a logistical reassessment of the facilities deployment, measures have been put in place to accommodate additional numbers of international Jamati members at the Darbar venues in Toronto and Vancouver.

This has been achieved through opening up additional space situated in the tiered seating areas in the stadiums that will serve as Darbar venues in Toronto and Vancouver.

The Council for Canada respectfully requests the Jamats understanding that it is only by taking this unusual step that we will be in a position to accommodate additional numbers of Jamati members in these Darbars.

In light of this development, the Council for Canada is happy to inform the Jamat that we are now in a position to accept additional registrations. Accordingly, international online registration will be activated early tomorrow morning. International Jamati members already in Canada are welcome to register at any Jamatkhana registration desk. The Jamat is advised to check this website frequently for updates.
kmaherali
Posts: 25107
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

GJ flags and banners in Vancouver.

Watch and enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?swf=ht ... _modules=1
bantu
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2008 4:55 am

Post by bantu »

Karim Maherali, one of the longest serving contributors to this forum has just asked us to move forward and prepare ourselves for the upcoming momentous event. Thank you, Karim and also Rajishkhana.

May I be permitted to submit the following poems from our history that may aid us in our preparatory phases for the Golden Jubilee Darbar.

A North African Poet composed the following poem to commemorate Imam Mehdi's arrival in the Fatimid dynasty's first capital, Mahdiya.

“My congratulations, O generous Prince, for your arrival upon which our epoch smiles

You have established your camp in a noble land, prepared for you by glorious angels

The sanctuary and its environs, its lofty shrines are exalted

And in the West is an exalted residence where prayer and fasting are accepted

It is Al-Mahdiyya, sacred and protected, as the sacred city is in Tihama (i.e Arabian Peninsula)

Your footsteps make the ground wherever you tread like the Maqam Ibrahim (i.e. the Kaba)

Just as the pilgrims kissed the sacred corner, so do we kiss the walls of your palace.”

The notion of the Imam of the time (Hazar Imam) as the source of human salvation is underscored by Nizar Quhistani, in the following verse:

“Salvation is to be found in the Imam of the Time.

I found the essence of faith in obedience to the command of his representative.

I have given up everything except that contained in the Quranic verse ‘offspring, one of the other’.

Ever since I found the Imamate, permanently in human form, I have known no other guide than the living, everlasting Imam,

For in his command, I have found peace in both the worlds”

The necessity of a living Imam in every age according to the changing needs and circumstances of people is echoed in the following lines:

“My lover appears in different forms,

Because for each period there comes a new guidance;

One after the other, there follows another qaim Imam Ali;

The permanent connection with him can never be broken”
kurban
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 10:16 am

Canadian Durbar

Post by kurban »

We have been through a very trying last few days, however Mowla has always said to us that getting the Deedar is not easy and sacrifices have to be made and obstacles have to be overcome,I as a member from the UK Jamat inshallah hope to make it and say lets us all unite under one banner and make this visit of MHI a truly joyous and momentous one. The Canadian Jamat indeed has gone everywhere in large numbers and have made the other durbars very colourful & enriching.We in London certainly appreciated all the International Jamats during the London Durbar and the way they helped us as volunteers and gave us all the cooperation that was required. Let us all now as International Jamat make a telling contribution to the Candaian Durbars and make it memorable for everybody. Lets Rejoice -Shuker Alhamdullilah- God is Great
Admin
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Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2003 10:37 am
Contact:

Post by Admin »

Ottawa Jamat asked to gather at Ottawa Civic Center to possibly see Hazar Imam's motorcade pass by around 3pm today. Leadership will go to Airport to welcome Hazar Imam. Jamat is not invited at the airport.
kmaherali
Posts: 25107
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

http://www.akdn.org/press_release.asp?ID=692

His Highness the Aga Khan Visits Canada on the Occasion of His Golden Jubilee (Media Advisory)


Ottawa, Canada, 18 November 2008 - His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) arrives in Ottawa today at the start of an 8-day visit to Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. The Aga Khan, who is in Canada as a guest of the Government, is commemorating his fifty years of leadership as Imam of the Ismaili Muslims. He will be met by The Honourable John Baird, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities on behalf of the Government of Canada.

During the visit, His Highness will be officially welcomed by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada and will meet with senior government officials to discuss areas of active collaboration between Canada and the AKDN.

The Aga Khan will travel to Toronto, where he will meet with The Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario. He will also preside over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between McMaster University and the Aga Khan University (AKU), which has campuses and programmes in eight countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

During his stay in Calgary, the Aga Khan will meet with The Honourable Norman L. Kwong, Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta; Dr. Indira Samarasekera, the President of the University of Alberta, and Dr. Carl Amrhein, Provost and Vice President.

In Vancouver, the Aga Khan will meet with the Mayor of the City of Burnaby, His Worship Derek Corrigan, as well as The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia.

The Aga Khan will meet and address gatherings of the Ismaili community in each city.

His Highness is scheduled to return to Ottawa for the official inauguration of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat building on Sussex Drive in Ottawa, on December 6, 2008. The Delegation will serve a representational role for the activities of the Imamat including the AKDN, and will mark a new phase in the Imamat’s partnership with Canada.

The Aga Khan Development Network has a long-standing relationship with Canada and Canadians. Over the past 25 years, the AKDN, particularly through Aga Khan Foundation Canada, has collaborated with a diverse set of institutions, including universities, government departments, the private sector and civil society organizations, to bring the best of Canada’s human, intellectual and technical resources to bear on the challenges of the developing world.

For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Morrow
Aga Khan Foundation Canada
E-mail: Jennifer@akfc.ca
Tel: 1-613-237-2532 ext. 107
Cell: 1-613-697-9532

Amir Karim
Aga Khan Council for Canada
E-mail: amir.karim@polykar.com
Tel: 1-514-574-3754

Dr. Iqbal Ahmed
Aga Khan Council for Canada
E-mail: drihahmed@gmail.com
Tel: 1-604-218-7864

Notes
Golden Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan
His Highness the Aga Khan completed his 50th year as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims on 11th July 2007, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah. The Aga Khan leads a community of 15 million Ismaili Muslims living in some 25 countries around the world and is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family).

As part of the commemoration of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Golden Jubilee which began on 11th July 2007, he has been paying official visits to some 35 countries, using these occasions to recognize the friendship and longstanding support of leaders of state, government and other partners in the work of the Ismaili Imamat, and to set the direction for the future, including the launching and laying of foundations for major initiatives and programmes.

The Aga Khan Development Network
His Highness the Aga Khan is founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private, non-denominational development agencies working to empower communities and individuals and to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East. The Network’s nine development agencies focus on social, cultural and economic development for all citizens, regardless of gender, origin or religion. The AKDN’s underlying ethic is compassion for the vulnerable in society. Its annual budget for social development is in excess of US$500 million.

Aga Khan Foundation Canada
Aga Khan Foundation Canada is a non-profit international and non-denominational agency that supports social development programs in Asia and Africa. As a member of the world-wide Aga Khan Development Network, the Foundation works to address the root causes of poverty: finding and sharing effective and lasting solutions that help improve the quality of life for poor communities. AKFC programs focus on four core areas: health, education, rural development and building the capacity of non-governmental organizations. Gender equity and protecting the environment are integrated into every program. Established in 1980, the Foundation has built a reputation in Canada as an effective development organization that acts as a catalyst for increasing awareness and understanding of key global issues (Find out more).
Nishams
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 6:29 am

Post by Nishams »

Admin wrote:GIVEN HERE UNDER FEW JAMATKHANAS AT TORONTO FOR YOUR READY

REFERENCE.


Dundas West -St Lukes Catholic School

319 Ossington Ave Toronto Ontario M6J 3A6
This is address is incorrect. They have moved to:

St. Mary's Catholic School
20 Portugal Square
Toronto, ON
M5J 3P9
malik.merchant
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:33 am

Post by malik.merchant »

Admin wrote:Ottawa Jamat asked to gather at Ottawa Civic Center to possibly see Hazar Imam's motorcade pass by around 3pm today. Leadership will go to Airport to welcome Hazar Imam. Jamat is not invited at the airport.
I am told that a temporary motorcade route is being set up at Lansdowne Park (Ottawa Civic Centre - where the Jamat has been gathering for prayers and celebrations since Sunday) The main entrance to Lansdowne is from Bank Street and there is an exit (about 400-500 metres away) at the other end, leading out to Queen Elizabeth Drive.

So the motorcade from the Airport would travel along the Airport Parkway/Bronson Avenue and exit at Queen Elizabeth or Colonel By Drives (both run parallel on either side of the Rideau Canal). Both these drives have exits for Bank Street, and Lansdowne Park is around the corner.

We eagerly await the arrival of our beloved Mawla and if it his wish the motorcade will come into Lansdowne Park. Ottawa has a Jamat of over a 1000 Murids, and we are all excited about the (possibility) of Hazar Imam passing by the Civic Centre. The Park will be well lit in case the arrival is late in the afternoon.

My camera is restless, and the batteries have charged. Whatever the outcome, at least I shall have captured moments of anticipation and hope as well as excitement, and of course phhtos of the motorcade route. Memories are important.
kmaherali
Posts: 25107
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

malik.merchant wrote: My camera is restless, and the batteries have charged. Whatever the outcome, at least I shall have captured moments of anticipation and hope as well as excitement, and of course phhtos of the motorcade route. Memories are important.
Please share these with us. Thanks!

Media Advisory: Governor General Welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan at
Rideau Hall

Last update: 1:42 p.m. EST Nov. 18, 2008

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Nov 18, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michalle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will welcome His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan
Development Network. His Highness is visiting Canada on the occasion of
his Golden Jubilee. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, November
19, 2008, at 4:30 p.m.

Members of the media wishing to cover the official photo of Her
Excellency and His Highness should arrive no later than 4:15 p.m.
jeeshanali
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:05 am

Positive View of Canadian Darbar Planning- Please Distribute

Post by jeeshanali »

Ya Ali Madad,

As received

I have been privileged to be part of some of the Canadian Darbar Planning
meetings this past week including one with the National Council President
and so I hope I can clear up some of the contentious issues and help the
international jamat understand the situation better. Hopefully after this
everyone will be able to clear their minds focus on spiritual preparation
for the upcoming darbar rather than the problems of the past week.

Firstly, everyone must understand that the Canadian leaders would love
nothing more than to have the ENTIRE International jamat attend this
darbar. Since July 11th, every darbar host city has opened their arms and
gone above and beyond to accommodate International guests, especially the
Canadians who love to travel. I myself have enjoyed darbars in Kampala, Los
Angeles, Chicago and London UK. Each time I have been blown away by the
hospitality of the jamat and the hard work and preparation undertaken to
accommodate International Jamat members. That being said, our leaders were
trying their utmost to do whatever it takes to accommodate the
International Jamat. To criticize the Canadian leadership without full
understanding of the situation is completely unfair and disrespectful to
these individuals who are working tirelessly as volunteers to make this
darbar happen. Please ensure you have all the information before you make
judgments or say disrespectful things on this forum.

So exactly one week ago we received the announcement that the Imam is
coming to Canada and has granted us 4 darbars. The number of darbars is the
Imam's choice and all of us know that we cannot question the Imam's
decision. He is the knower of everything and we are given these darbars
because he wants to, not because we are entitled. Over he past 17 months he
has traveled the globe, met with hundreds of leaders, overseen countless
new projects, given us dozens of darbars and all because he loves us. Those
who question why we would not just "add another darbar" clearly don't
understand what the Imam is doing and how essential it is that he continues
his work without us putting excessive demands on him. We must say shukr
that we were even given 4 darbars. Some countries have Ismaili populations
ten times that of Canada and were given 2 didars only. Shukr shukr shukr.

Also it is imperative that you understand that we had 2 weeks notice for
this darbar. Not one month. Not 3 weeks but 2 weeks. The shortest notice of
any Golden Jubilee Darbar. Imagine mobilizing 10,000 volunteers across a
country the size of Canada and the time needed to arrange a darbar. Just
think about it for a few minutes. Thousands of man hours are needed in one
instant. Then for a second think about how no man is perfect. Mistakes
happen and they are inevitable. When mistakes happen, they happen for a
reason and we must be patient and understanding.

So let me give you some more background on the Canadian Darbars.

Calgary darbar venue was chosen ahead of time and was to accommodate 20,000
murids. With an expected Jamat of 10,000 from Calgary and 5,000 from
Edmonton, there was room for 5,000 International members. In 2005, the
entire Calgary and Edmonton jamats had to go to Vancouver and squeeze into
the hall there. This year, we were lucky to have a darbar in a 3rd city.

Vancouver darbar venue, BC Place is a stadium and the only available venue
the council could procure. The capacity on the floor is 20,000 and as
others have explained, we are not allowed to use the bleachers or stadium
seats for the darbar. Murids must sit on the floor and cannot be above or
"looking below" at the Imam. This is our tradition. We cannot change this
and only the Imam can change this. Do you expect the Imam to climb every
section of stairs so that he may walk past you? No of course not. We must
all sit together on the floor, below the stage. This was the plan, one that
has now been changed. BC Jamat is 15,000 so due to space restrictions,
there was enough capacity for 5,000 International Jamat. Please note that
LIF Announced that each murid was to attend only 1 darbar and no more.
Those attending 2 or more are extremely selfish and will undoubtedly be
taking away a deedar from another deserving murid.

Toronto darbar was to be held at the Rogers Center (Skydome) with a floor
capacity of 20,000. Yes the capacity for a baseball game is 47,000 as nagib
pointed out. But again, we cannot use the bleachers as per our Ismaili
tradition of not sitting above the Imam. I personally do not agree with
this tradition especially if it prevents someone from not being able to
have a deedar with his Imam. But I can at least understand that no murid
wants to be looking below at his Imam. We only want to look up because He
is the Most High and we are as low as it can get. So Rogers Center was the
only available hall as NTC (Direct Energy Center) was booked for that
weekend and TIC is too small for our jamat. NTC was used in the 2005 Deedar
and can accommodate 50,000 seated on the floor but again, due to short
notice, we could not get this venue for Sat-Sun. We do however have it
booked for Wed-Fri for the International jamat to come, enjoy Jamatkhana,
eat lovely food, and partake in dandia raas. So the capacity of Rogers
Center is 20,000 and we have 2 darbars which will allow for 40,000 murids.
Since the Ontario and Quebec jamats (Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto and all
other cities) make up a 35,000 jamat, we are restricted to only 5,000
International Jamat.

These are the facts. We have space for 15,000 International Jamat in Canada
and no more. This is a number that exceeds the number of International that
went to both USA and United Kingdom. We do not have the luxury of an
outdoor darbar like Syria or Tajikistan. It is currently -1 in Toronto and
snowing. Would you like to be numb and frostbitten during your deedar? So
we must use whatever venues we can obtain and work within our limitations.

That being said, we announced that International Jamat Registration would
open at 10:00AM Eastern Time on November 12th. The council was prepared for
a large number of registrations. They had tested the site and it was said
to be ready for registration. Nobody could prepare for the number of people
at 10:00AM that would be online registering. 20,000 people at one single
moment went on the website to register. Our servers were not ready for that
much at one time and therefore we had to close the registration. It was
very unfortunate especially since so many people were sitting at their
computer all day but we needed to repair the site. At 8:00PM EST the
registration was repopened. Within 1 hour, we had 15,000 Registrations. 1
Hour!!! President Mangji himself admitted that there was no way to expect
such a big influx in such a short time span. So due to our space
limitations we had no choice but to close the registration.

This caused a great deal of distress to International Jamat, especially
those who had already booked flights and hotel. Please keep in mind that
our council always suggests that we wait until we are registered before we
purchase anything for travel. Nobody wants another incident like the one in
Dubai last year. Those who tried to book early to get a good deal cannot
expect the council to be responsible for their lack of prudence especially
when the council always tells us to wait for confirmation before booking
anything.

As a result of such overwhelming demand, the Canadian Leaders scrambled to
find a solution so that every murid would have a chance to come and no one
would be left outside or without an opportunity for darbar. The Leadership
then decided that the only way to accomodate more International Jamat was
to increase capacity and the only way to increase capacity was to open up
the first section of rows of the bleachers. Yes some of these rows were
above the stage and thus Hazar Imam had to give his approval for this. On
Friday, news of this increase in capacity was given to all Jamats and
Registration was to reopen Saturday morning.

5,000 new spaces were created in the Rogers Center making 10,000 more open
registrations for Toronto and another 5,000 spaces created at BC Place
giving 5,000 more open registrations in BC. Since Calgary is not in a
stadium, there was no way to increase capacity for Calgary.

At this time, these additional 15,000 spaces are still not full and thus
registration for International is still open. Those who registered for one
city but want to attend a different darbar are still able to change their
darbar location by logging into the site with their registration number and
making the change.

Few things to note.

1. No murid would ever be turned away at the door of a deedar. The Imam
would never allow someone who has come to see him to be turned away. You
must have faith in this if you are an Ismaili. That being said, we live in
a land of laws and there are fire codes. Nagib you are being ignorant by
calling these fire codes bogus. There are fire marshalls present at EVERY
major event with over 2,000 people and with people's lives at risk they
will enforce the laws. When you cram 20,000 people onto the floor of a
stadium, imagine what would happen at the bottlenecks, the washrooms, the
exits. It is absolute chaos. What happens if a fire breaks out. Hundreds of
people would be trampled and thousands could be trapped due to
overcrodwing. Fire codes are serious business and we cannot admit more than
the capacity without the fire marshall shutting down the entire event. They
don't care what the event is. They are there to do a job. If a murid was to
come he would not be turned away. We would build a tent outside if we had
to but he or she would be present for the didar and would be able to
partake in the event.

2. Those who are having any technical issues with their online
registration, please note that you will not be turned away at the darbar
hall. Your entire family will be welcomed. Just bring your confirmation
number and they will take care of you when you arrive. If you still need
further clarification you can email the registration team at
support@goldenjubileecanada.org Please note that they are dealing with tens
of thousands of emails so you WILL receive a response within 48 hours. The
Golden Jubilee Canada hotline will be able to advise you on basic matters
such as hotels, jamati program, locations of buildings, special needs. They
cannot help you with registration and are not able to access anyones
registration details.

Lastly, please remember that we are now 6 days away from the darbar. In 124
hours we will be in the presence of He Who Is Above All Else. You must now
forget everything that has happen and look forward. Prepare yourselves
spiritually for this deedar. Go to Jamatkhana. Celebrate with your brothers
and sisters. This is the most joyous occasion of our lives and we must be
in the right state of mind in order to get full benefit. If you are able to
come to Canada and be part of this darbar, it is because it is in your
neyat and you were meant to be there. If not, then it is Allah's wish.
Everything is due to Allah.

Mubaraki to Everyone and I hope you all have an excellent Deedar and the
Noor of Allah shines through your eyes, and your heart and you are overcome
with love. I pray that you are all blessed with the Zahiri and Batini
Noorani Deedar.

Regards/Rahim
jeeshanali
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:05 am

DEEDAR AND INTERNALIZING YOUR FAITH AS I HAVE EXPERINCED PER

Post by jeeshanali »

As received

Ya ali miadad

We are going to be blessed very soon with Hazer Imam’s Deedar in Canada and I wanted to share my personal experience with you


The following points will help you to start preparing your soul to be in the presence of Hazer Imam. This is what we call Intezar or Yearning to be close to Imam. (Nov.08)


An important preamble to remember is that Mowla too prepares His Nur before entering the Durbar and as a result, His presence in the Deedar hall is different from that of other times. You will also notice that as He enters the hall, the aura will be charged with the power of His Nur.

During the first few minutes of His walk in the Deedar hall, He will be blessing every murid who will begin to feel His presence. This sets the love and the bond with the Imam because every one is included in His Glance. He may be keeping His left hand to His hip which symbolically means He is guarding the Sword of Zulfikar. This is the sword of His Office, Peace and Justice.

1. While in the presence of the Imam, recite Salwat quietly and continuously in your heart. Salwat is to seek Allah’s blessings on Prophet Mohamed and his progeny. Hazer Imam is the progeny and eventually Allah’s blessings come back upon us.
2. You will often see Mowla nodding; this is the time to ask for Salamati of Iman, good health, spiritual guidance, peace, good deeds, Seva and for all your wishes to be granted.
3. When asking for your wishes to be granted do understand what you are asking for and make sure you state that it should according to the wish of Allah.
4. Ask for forgiveness of each individual moment or occasion you believe you should be forgiven for.
5. Say Shukhrana for every good thing that is in your life and has occurred in your life.
6. Think of all the family members and Jamati members that are not present. Remember them by name.
7. Think of all the Ruhani family members by names that have passed on.
8. Think of the friends and others people who came into your lives that have given you joy and any one you want forgiveness from, by name if you remember their name.
9. Say a Salwat for every handicapped, ill, in difficulty and dying as some day some one may do the same for you.
10. Alternately with the Salwat, remember your BOL. This ISME AZAM is your “short cut” to reaching the Nur of Imam.
11. Carry your favorite Tasbih with you. I have carried the same one for the past 40 years to each Deedar.
12. In order to remember the experience you will have at the Deedar time, take a snap- shot of your favorite moment in His presence and internalize it deeply. In this way whenever you want to be in His presence, for example while doing your Bandagi; remember that snap-shot moment and He will be with you.
13. Remember that the moment of Deedar is the closest you will come to imagining what AMRA PURI (Heaven) is in terms of human intelligence.
14. Deedar is not just for this moment in your worldly life but it is in fact for the upliftment of your soul entrusted to you by Allah for the next world.
15. Separation from Mowla, as in physical terms, is the Murid’s greatest sorrow. This is why when you are in His thoughts, Zikar, you will be in His presence again.
16. Murids of Imam are always in the thought of the next world when we will experience Fannah Fillah i.e. oneness with Allah.
17. The symbolism of the recitation of Ginan, Koran Ayat, Khilat, Niaj, pledge of loyalty etc. have very important and deep significance for the Jamat and are a always explained at the time of Deedar Intezar.

We as individuals have to strive in our own ways to obtain deep, satisfying meaning from the Deedar through this spiritual journey. I pray that you will have your own profound experience in the presence of our Imam.

This has been my experience and I wanted to share it with you.

Regards/Rahim
sassy
Posts: 67
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2003 11:04 am

Post by sassy »

Mubaraki to all
MHI arrived in Ottawa this Afternoon Nov 18


Barring any glitches or delays, we expect to have downloaded the video footage of MHI's arrival to Canada to show to the Jamat around 9pm tonight.
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