www.ismaili.net

Dear Salman Ali,

First of all, let me mention how much I enjoyed the recently deleted heartfelt post you wrote earlier in this forum. Second, I will not be requiring the hotel room (I'm staying at the Crowne Plaza Airport, 2 blocks from the gorgeous Jamatkhana at 100 Skyway), but I will indeed keep your aunty in my thoughts and prayers during our Sovereign Shah Karim al-Husayni's (S.A.S.) Darbar. I also pray for her, as well as for all Ismailis in a similar predicament, that may Hazar Imam bless them with His Noorani Didor...ameen.

ya Ali madad and Darbar Mubarak to everybody.

@Nishams @No_problem: The person Khudaveend repeatedly embraces in the video is Justin Trudeau [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Trudeau ], the son of the late Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Trudeau.

I'm sure we will now have the pleasure of seeing plenty more of him n the national and international scene. )

"His Highness the Aga Khan may not rule a country, but his nation knows no boundary.
He may not have an army. But his soldiers are everywhere fighting poverty, without regard to faith, origin or gender."



Two year-old Rose Mwaka had her foot amputated last August after an intern misdiagnosed her illness and gave her the wrong injection.
She is another statistic in the Kenyan medical horror story that estimates up to 50 per cent of the deaths in hospitals are due to misdiagnosis.
In the village of Kiboje, on Unguja Island, Zanzibar, Riziki Emmanuel is a five year old who cannot use her legs. Her impoverished parents have always carried her around because they have been unable to afford the crutches to help Riziki move on her own and go to school.
Like many of the poor in Northern Pakistan, Sifat Gul’s family survived on less than $1 a day. The roof of her home leaked during the rains and her children had no education. Her husband did odd jobs and traditions barred her from working outside the home.
Today, thanks to a humanitarian called the Aga Khan, hope has taken root in the lives of Rose, Riziki and Sifat.
While Rose is getting the medical attention she needs, The Aga Khan University Hospital is developing a system to capture community healthcare data from the grassroots level in Kenya. The plan involves connecting all hospitals in Kenya with the Internet, to help doctors make informed diagnoses before they administer any drugs.
Riziki’s life has changed and today she can count, sing songs, narrate stories, and draw pictures. The Aga Khan Foundation of Canada helped build a preschool in her village and her father brings her to class on his bicycle every day. Riziki is thriving.
As for Sifat Gul, a US$30 loan from The First MicroFinanceBank, a part of the Aga Khan Development Network, got her a sewing machine which she has turned into a thriving business. Today her two daughters and son are studying in a private school while she runs a tailoring program for illiterate girls in the area.
These triumphs over adversity are but a small reflection of how the Aga Khan and his global network of private, non-denominational development agencies are working all over the world to eradicate social problems.
His Highness the Aga Khan may not rule a country, but his nation knows no boundary.
He may not have an army. But his soldiers are everywhere fighting poverty, without regard to faith, origin or gender.
This is one side of Islam we seldom see in the wake of the negativity that has engulfed the Muslim world.
Celebrating his Golden Jubilee as the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan brings his message of pluralism, peace and prosperity to Canada this week.
It’s a familiar story for us, one we too often take for granted.
Canada, built on a foundation of inclusiveness, shines as a beacon in a world of increasing discord and intolerance, the Aga Khan says.
Pluralism, he says, is a deliberate set of choices that a society must make if it is to avoid costly conflict and harness the power of its diversity in solving human problems.
“Canada has an experience of governance of which much of the world stands in dire need,” he writes in his latest book, Where Hope Takes Root.
The Aga Khan, by his words and actions, challenges us to learn from our past and use our present to make a better tomorrow.
It is a challenge we should all accept.

http://www.asianpacificpost.com/portal2 ... ld.do.html

Ya Ali Madat Volunteers,

As received


We are in need of volunteers tomorrow in the following locations:


LUNCH BOX ASSEMBLE – ROGERS CENTRE. If you're available, please go directly
to Rogers Centre during the day and report to Gate # 3.


KITCHEN: Randhan committee needs help in cooking. 1677 Wilson Avenue, Days
Inn. Please contact Nazira Shivji at 416-471-8905 if you are available to
help out.


PARKING: We need 100 volunteers for Saturday night and Sunday night. Please
visit Volunteers Reception Centre at Direct Energy Centre - Hall B (Suite
107)

If you wish to do any other duties please come and visit us at Volunteers
Reception Centre at Direct Energy Centre - Hall B (Suite 107)


Hope you create lots of Golden Memories and have a Memorable Zaheri Deedar


With Regards,
---

HR Team Eastern Darbar

Regards/Rahim

What to do at the time of Deedar (Zaheri)

After preparing ourselves for the deedar, we should fully concentrate on what to do at the time of deedar. Once Prophet Moses went to Koh-e-Toor and asked, “Oh God! Bless me with your deedar.” God replied and said that first you should bless with the deedar of Noor-e-Ali then you would be able to do my deedar.

“Deedar of Murtaza Ali is the same as deedar of Allah” (Firman)

“Deedar of Imam’s face is the deedar of God” (Pir Shahbuddin Shah)

Before the arrival of Hazar Imam for Deedar and when we leave our home for deedar, we should pre-occupy ourselves with constant remeberance of Ya Ali or Ya Allah. But this should not be the mental remembrance but a remembrance of the heart for it is the heart, which holds the higher consciousness of the self because this practice of remembrance is a way of awakening the consciousness of the self and at the same time guides us away from the consciousness of the ego and thus becoming aware of our inner union with Imam whom we love.

When Mowla bless us with his deedar and with our Faith (Iman) of Ali-Allah, the Imam showers his blessings by uttering the word “Khanavadan”. At that time every murid should make them ready to listen to those words and absorb in their heart. It is just like blowing the word “Qun”(Be) in one’s ears. During this time there should be complete silence so that everyone can listen the word “Khanavadan”. If someone doesn’t listen those words, then he or she can listen those words during Mowla’s firman or Irshad. The time we listen “Khanavadan”, we should open our physical eyes and look at the face Mubarak of Hazar Imam and if possible try to see in Imam’ eyes and intend to pray that Ya Mowla, as I can’t remove my eyes (sight) away from your face, similarly when you leave me physically, your face (Zati swroop) in the form of your sacred Name will remain in my dhiyana and in my heart. We should also have the feelings that Imam’s face is Allah’s face. Then we should close our eyes and busy ourselves in his remembrance either of our ‘Bol’ or ‘Ya Ali’ or ‘Ya Allah’. By that we can experience both Batini and Noorani deedar as well.

“deedari hovey so dil bandhey, din din adka neh dherey,
Ek men hoker Nam levey, so piyon ka dershen kerey.

It means one who bless with deedar, will keep himself in Zikr and day-by-day, he will fill fimself full of his love and that is called deedar of Beloved.

If we go to deedar with this feelings then our object of going for deedar will be fulfilled.

Firman regarding the deedar

“Do not think that your Mowla sits on the chair, we resides in the heart of my Haqiqati Momin.
“Al-Hamdulillah, you are blessed with my deedar right now but Haqiqi deedar is in your heart.”

“Hazar Imam never present physically all the time but you should think him present.”

“Even though we are leaving you physically but in Batin we are constantly with you.”

“If your faith (Iman) is true, we will be nearer to you.”

“We are always with you. The moment you remember us, we are present (Hazar) with you. We are in your heart.”

May Mowla bless us with his Noorani Deedar. Aameen.

Nizar Ali.

SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE SECTION
TO MARK THE VISIT OF HIS HIGHNESS
THE AGA KHAN TO B.C.

A Messenger of Peace

PUBLICATIONS: The South Asian Post
The Asian Pacific Post
PUBLICATION DATE: Nov. 27, 2008

The award winning Asian Pacific Post and the South Asian Post will be publishing a special commemorative section to honour the visit of His Highness the Aga Khan to Canada.
The Aga Khan, spiritual leader to the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims, will be in Canada as part of a series of visits around the world to mark his Golden Jubilee year - the 50th anniversary of his becoming Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.

CONTACTS:
Publisher - Harbinder Singh Sewak
Executive Editor - Jagdeesh Mann
Managing Editor - Michael Roberts
Office: 604.821.1954
Email: mroberts@postpeopleinc.com
Email: jmann@postpeopleinc.com

The Canadian Press


Governor General Michaelle Jean, right, welcomes the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, November 19, 2008. The Aga Khan is visiting Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle

1 hour ago

TORONTO — Canadian Ismaili Muslims are marking a half-century of leadership of the Aga Khan, as the spiritual leader to millions around the globe embarks on an eight-day visit across the country to mark the milestone.

The Aga Khan, imam to 15 million Ismaili Muslims, including between 80,000 to 100,000 in Canada, will meet with government leaders and dignitaries as he commemorates the occasion of his Golden Jubilee.

The Aga Khan met Wednesday with Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean at Rideau Hall. He is slated to next visit Toronto to meet Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.

He will head west next week, first to Calgary to meet with Alberta Lt.-Gov. Norman Kwong and officials from the University of Alberta, followed by a stop in Vancouver to meet British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell and Burnaby, B.C., Mayor Derek Corrigan, whose city is home to a sizable Ismaili community.

The Aga Khan will also meet and address gatherings of the Ismaili community to discuss the nature of the work he is doing with Canada, how the community has evolved and where he sees it going, said Amir Karim, a Montreal volunteer with the Aga Khan Council for Canada.

"He will give guidance on and direction on how we should practise our faith, how we should live, and how we should basically understand what's going on around the world from a broader perspective, whether it's economic, social, and some of major trends that we're seeing at the moment."

Born in Switzerland and now residing in France, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan became the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims - generally known as the Ismailis - in 1957 at age 20 following his grandfather's death.

Beyond his role as spiritual leader, he is known for his work helping to improve the lives of those in developing nations through the Aga Khan Development Network, which he founded more than 40 years ago.

The network has forged a long-standing relationship with Canada, which has seen AKDN, particularly through Aga Khan Foundation Canada, a charitable organization, collaborate with universities, government departments, civil society organizations and the private sector in providing various resources to help developing nations.

One such example involves Hamilton's McMaster University, which worked with the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan to bring the first international standard school of nursing to that part of the world, said Khalil Shariff, CEO of Aga Khan Foundation Canada.

The Aga Khan will preside over the signing of a memorandum of understanding between McMaster and AKU during his visit to Toronto.

In October 2006, the Aga Khan and Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the Imam and Ottawa would each contribute $30 million to a new Global Centre for Pluralism, a think-tank and research facility to be housed in the old Canadian War Museum.

"I think he understands that all the work he does in international development and addressing the great issues of our day as part of the mandate of his office," Shariff said.

"He has often said that he has to be concerned not only with the spiritual welfare of the Ismaili community but also about the quality of their lives and the quality of the lives of the people among who they live globally, and so this has led him to be concerned with the great questions of peace and development in our times."

The migration of Ismaili Muslims to Canada included two big waves of settlement: the first, in the 1970s, saw the expulsion of Ismailis from east African nations; the second, in the early 1990s, saw many Ismaili refugees arrive in Canada from Afghanistan, Karim said.

During both waves, the Aga Khan was instrumental in ensuring the community being displaced was able to resettle promptly and effectively and that Canada would welcome them, he said.

"For community members here who have made Canada their home, who have prospered here, who live here, who have settled here permanently, this is a period for them to express their gratitude and their love for their imam or their spiritual leader, for all the guidance and direction he's been giving them, including bringing the community here," Karim said.

The Aga Khan is slated to return to Ottawa on Dec. 6 for the official inauguration of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat building, which will house the offices of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada and be involved in working with the Canadian government on efforts to assist developing nations in Asia and Africa.

The commemoration of his Golden Jubilee officially ends Dec. 13.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadi ... gAsVDOd1jA

Aga Khan on eight-day visit to Canada
November 20th, 2008 - 1:43 pm ICT by IANS -

Toronto, Nov 20 (IANS) The Aga Khan, the spiritual head of Shia Ismaili Muslims, is on a eight-day official visit to Canada to meet his followers and the country's leaders to discuss collaboration for work in developing countries.The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), founded by him, is the world's largest non-governmental organisation (NGO), spending about $500 million a year on poverty alleviation and education development programmes in developing countries.

The Aga Khan or Maulana Hazar Imam, as he is known among his followers, was officially received when landed in the capital, Ottawa Tuesday.

Among those who received him at the airport were Canada's transport minister John Baird, immigration minister Jason Kenney, Senator Mobina Jaffer and MPs Justin Trudeau and Yasmin Rattansi.

During his visit, the imam of the world's Ismaili Muslims will also visit Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary to address his followers and meet premiers of various provinces.

The Aga Khan's visit to Canada marks the golden jubilee of his imamhood of his estimated 15 to 30 million followers worldwide.

He had succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah, in 1957 while he was still a 20-year-old student at Harvard University.

The 75,000-strong Ismaili community in Canada wields an influence which is way beyond its numbers.

Most Ismailis - who have come mostly from Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya - have established themselves in businesses and professions like law, medicine, and politics.

Rahim Jaffer, a Ugandan-born Ismaili, was elected as Canada's first Muslim MP in 1997.

Mobina Jaffer, who also came from Uganda with her family, is Canada's first senator of South Asian origin, nominated to the Canadian Upper House in 2001.

An Ismaili of Gujarati origin, she is also a very successful lawyer in Vancouver.

-----------------

Aga Khan to address Ismaili community here
Don Cayo, Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The Aga Khan is both a major spiritual leader and the head of a $500-million-US-a-year development agency, and his eight-day visit to Canada, which began Tuesday, reflects both roles.

As Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, he will meet and address members of Canada's 75,000-strong Ismaili community in special events to mark his Golden Jubilee.

These events are being held in Ottawa, where his visit began on Tuesday, as well as Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, where the visit ends next Wednesday.

-----------------

The Aga Khan's eight-day visit to Canada started on Tuesday.

Chris Mikula, Canwest News Service, Files

As founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the world's largest non-governmental development agency, he also has a series of high-level meetings with Canadian leaders and institutions.

In addition to a formal welcome from Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean, he is to meet in Ottawa with senior government officials to discuss continued collaboration between Canada and the AKDN. Over 25 years the network, primarily through Aga Foundation Canada, has worked with Canadian universities and government departments as well as both private sector and civil society organizations to tackle challenges in the developing world.

In Toronto, the Aga Khan is to meet Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. He will also sign a memorandum of understanding between McMaster University and the Aga Khan University, which has campuses and programs in eight countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

In Calgary he will meet Alberta Lt.-Gov. Norman Kwong and officials from the University of Alberta.

In Vancouver he is to meet B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell and Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan.

The Aga Khan was a 20-year-old Harvard University student when he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah, in 1957. In the 50 years that followed, he has led his followers through some difficult times and has built the AKDN into a leading development organization.

Most of Canada's Ismaili Muslim families arrived here in the 1970s, a time of turmoil in the countries where they were born, particularly in East Africa.

Today, those countries they left are among the 25 worldwide that are the focus of AKDN-supported development initiatives.

dcayo@vancouversun.coms

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news ... 90ab6d9b4c

© The Vancouver Sun 2008

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada, welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan at Rideau Hall on 19 November 2008.

Aga Khan in Canada to celebrate 50 years of leadership of Ismailis
Ismailis from across globe pour into Canadian cities
By Salim Jiwa, Vancouver Province
Published: Tuesday, November 18

Thousands of Ismaili Muslims have begun a week of celebration to mark the arrival of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on an eight-day visit to Canada, during which he is to meet Canadian officials and his followers in major cities across Canada.

The Aga Khan is spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims who live in large numbers in countries as diverse as Canada, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and even remote corners of Tajikistan.

His arrival at Ottawa airport on Tuesday -- where he was greeted by John Baird. minister of transport and communities on behalf of the government -- prompted a jubilant gathering of Ismailis at the main mosque in Burnaby.
The Aga Khan leaves a ceremony at Rideau Hall after being presented with the Order of Canada, in Ottawa, June 6, 2005. View Larger Image View Larger Image
The Aga Khan leaves a ceremony at Rideau Hall after being presented with the Order of Canada, in Ottawa, June 6, 2005.
By Chris Wattieseen - Reuters

During the Golden Jubillee celebrations, the Aga Khan, known for his philanthropic work across the length and breadth of the globe -- in particular in poor countries in Africa and Asia -- has visited 35 countries.

The Aga Khan -- hailed as a modern Muslim leader -- has branded tensions between Islamic nations and the Western world in the wake of the 9/11 attacks as a "clash of ignorance" rather than a clash of civilizations. His main emphasis has been to stress the importance of pluralism among diverse cultures.

The Aga Khan Council for Canada said in a press release that the Aga Khan -- who received the Order of Canada in 2005 -- will meet with Governor General Michaelle Jean, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and with B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell. Rideau Hall press office said the meeting between the Aga Khan and the Governor General will take place on Wednesday afternoon.

Among the many discussions with officials will be the collaborative role of the Aga Khan Development Network and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada with Canadian development agencies in promoting development in poorer countries. The AKDN's annual budget for social development is US $500 million and is used according to the creed "compassion for the vulnerable in society."

The Aga Khan will be in Vancouver next Tuesday where he will celebrate 50 years of his Imamat with thousands of his followers.

sjiwa@theprovince.com
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/n ... d8e0ba2c15

© Vancouver Province 2008

-----------------------

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, officially welcomed 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.
Photo Information

Date: November 19, 2008
Photographer: MCpl Jean-François Néron, Rideau Hall
Photo Number: GG2008-0361-007



Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, officially welcomed 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.
Photo Information

Date: November 19, 2008
Photo Number: GG2008-0361-001



More on:

http://www.gg.ca/media/pho/index_e.asp? ... Sequence=5

The Aga Khan: faith and action


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... mment/home


ADRIENNE CLARKSON

Special to Globe and Mail Update

November 20, 2008 at 11:35 PM EST

My interest in His Highness the Aga Khan, and in his vision, dates back to 1957. Then, as a young university student, I read about Prince Karim, who had suddenly inherited his grandfather's mantle as the imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismailis. His grandfather had been a remarkable figure of worldwide renown. The young prince was still a student at Harvard, and I remember thinking, "How does he feel about inheriting this enormous responsibility as the leader of the Ismailis at the age of 20?"

In the early 1970s, I was well aware of the Ismailis who were fleeing East Africa and of our reception of thousands of them here in Canada. I was always grateful that our country, under the leadership of Pierre Trudeau, welcomed these people, who had found themselves in an extremely difficult and dangerous situation in the countries that they had called home.

When I became governor-general of Canada in 1999, I met a number of Ismailis in prominent positions in Ottawa and Toronto, and later in many other cities across Canada. But it was not until 2002 that I met His Highness, during one of his visits to Ottawa. Immediately, I was deeply impressed by this soft-spoken man who had given nearly five decades of his life to bettering society in very practical and meaningful ways. His contributions to education, health and cultural revitalization through architecture and town planning in the developing world were without equal. I was very happy to meet him several more times throughout my years in Ottawa and to participate in the Foundation Ceremony of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in June, 2005.

I remember the day of the ceremony well. Tents had been erected over the area where the guests were seated, and flowers had been planted to create a garden atmosphere and a sense of beauty and lightness. In my exchanges with His Highness that day, I felt very much that our country could not have a more useful or meaningful relationship. The Aga Khan understands profoundly what Canada is all about and what a diverse society can accomplish if it is built on awareness of difference and relaxed understanding.

The Aga Khan is not just a spiritual leader. As imam, he is responsible both for leading the interpretation of the faith and for helping to improve quality of life for all in the wider communities where Ismailis live. This dual obligation is often, I think, quite difficult to appreciate from the Christian viewpoint of the role that church leaders are expected to perform. In Islam, the worlds of faith and action, of ethical premise and society, are treated together. The Aga Khan sees his responsibilities as encompassing a strong commitment to the well-being and dignity of all human beings, regardless of faith, origin or gender.

The intersection of faith and society has led to initiatives that, over the past 50 years, have made a profound difference in the developing world. The Aga Khan Development Network has improved the lives of some of the world's poorest, most deprived and most diverse populations.

The Aga Khan realizes that no effective development can happen without the precondition of a healthy civil society. Only a strong civil society can help sustain real change for both rural populations, which are geographically isolated, and the urban poor, who are similarly marginalized from the social, economic and political life of their wider society.

The second precondition for successful development is something for which the Aga Khan and his development network are now increasingly well known: a commitment to pluralism. The efforts of the Imamat have had a pervasive effect, over the past decade particularly, in making the world understand how society must support people of different backgrounds and interests to organize themselves in diverse institutions for a variety of purposes - all in the context of a creative free expression. Pluralism is as important as human rights in ensuring peace, democracy and a better quality of life.

In his speeches, the Aga Khan points out how the rejection of pluralism has helped to incite hatred and conflict among many cultures, nations and religions. This has occurred in places as varied as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

These sad examples show us that pluralism is critical to peaceful, harmonious understanding. The Aga Khan understands, too, that pluralism does not happen by accident but is the product of enlightened education, moral and material investment by governments and the recognition by all of our common humanity.

As His Highness recognizes, Canada is very open to these ideas. Eighty per cent of Canadians believe it a good thing that we are a diverse population. In this, we may be unique in the world. It is a happy situation for us to have communities of people who are educated, are confident in their identity in Canada and feel assured of the depth of both their own traditions and those of the people who share their institutions and governmental structures.

In his public utterances, the Aga Khan shows great subtlety of mind. He has been the inspiring founder of universities and colleges, because education is one of the democratic pillars he recognizes. He exhorts people everywhere to train leaders and to shape institutions using the highest standards of excellence. His sensitivity to formal learning alerts us that education is not the promulgation of dogmatic commitment or ideological choices. Instead, as he emphasizes, scientific problem-solving must exist side by side with a continued openness to new questions.

Memorably, His Highness asserts that the deplorably fashionable phrase "clash of civilizations" is really a "clash of ignorance." This ignorance is both historical and current, and he is unequivocal in his belief that it could have been avoided through more dialogue and understanding between the Judeo-Christian and Muslim worlds.

I find His Highness's belief in what democracy can do to be most inspiring of all. He understands the need for us to be flexible in supporting the diverse institutions that make up democratic life. He is clear eyed and decisive about the breakdown in democratic institutions such as parliaments, which often lack an efficient structure and human capacities to grapple with complexity. Above all, he understands that democracy can only come about through education and awareness. Finally, His Highness identifies the need to strengthen public integrity as the sound foundation on which democracy can rest. It is not simply governments that make democracy work; the most successful democracies are those in which the non-governmental institutions of a diverse civil society play a vital role.

Again and again, the Aga Khan returns to the need for respect and co-operation between Islamic and Western peoples. The Koran tells us that mankind is a "single soul created by a single Creator" - something that differentiates humans from other forms of life. His Highness also speaks meaningfully about the need to maintain a profound humility before the Divine. With this kind of humility, we can turn away from dogma and approach each other as human beings, meeting on a field of respect without anger, without discrimination and without preconceptions.

Humility that will lead us away from self-righteousness and ready-made ideology and open us to genuine religious feeling, in its most positive form.

Adrienne Clarkson is a former governor-general of Canada. This is adapted from the introduction to Where Hope Takes Root, by His Highness the Aga Khan, and reprinted by the permission of Douglas & McIntyre.

Aga Khan attends the Cartier Racing Awards 2008, at the Grosvenor House Hotel on November 17, 2008 in London, England.

http://legacyeditorial.gettyimages.com/ ... &p=7&tag=1

TORONTO, Nov. 21 /CNW Telbec/ - McMaster University and Aga Khan
University will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Saturday, November 22, 2008, to deepen and extend a quarter-century partnership between the two institutions and relevant faculties.

His Highness the Aga Khan, Chancellor of Aga Khan University, and The
Honourable Beverly J. Oda, Canada's Minister for International Cooperation, will preside over the signing of the agreement. Mr. Firoz Rasul, President of Aga Khan University and Dr. Peter George, President of McMaster University will sign on behalf of their respective institutions.

The Ceremony will take place at: 10:00 AM EST at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto on the 19th floor.

Under the agreement, the two universities will establish a programme of
academic and scientific exchange in areas of interest and benefit to both
institutions, including health sciences, sciences, social sciences, business
and the humanities.

The collaboration between the two universities dates back to the 1980s,
when McMaster and AKU, with the support of the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA) and Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), joined in the creation of a high-quality school of nursing that would strengthen front-line health care in Pakistan and the region, while expanding professional opportunities for women.

AS RECEIVED
OTTAWA 18 NOV. 2008


YAM to all of you!



I just wanted to share with you all my wonderful memories and experience of welcoming Mowlana Hazer Imam yesterday to Ottawa.

The jamat was asked to arrive to Landsdown park Civic Centre (where we are having our off site JK for now) at 3:00pm. The evening before President Saheba had said that they were going to make a special request to President Manji that Hazer Imam's motorcade pass through the parking lot of Landsdown so that the jamat would be able to welcome. Approximately 700 jamati members, which consisted of the Ottawa Jamat, and members of Bellville, Kingston, Montreal and Toronto jamats gathered in the Civic Centre to patiently wait for news about Hazer Imam's arrival.


At 4:30pm the seniors were led out to their waiting area and the jamat was requested to start heading out to their waiting area. For those seniors who were less mobile and needed more assistance, the organizers had a bus ready for them to take them to their spot and when it was full, jamati members were asked to help drive seniors in their cars. The seniors were then allowed to wait in the bus until just a few minutes before the motorcade was going to pass. Chairs were als setup for them so they didn't have to stand.



Volunteers were lined up like a barracade to help the jamat get to there waiting positions as well. At approximatly 5:00pm, all the jamat and volunteers were in position, anxiously waiting for the motorcade to pass. Even though it was bitterly cold and the wind was blowing, everyone (all 700) were in great spirits and there was not one person that didn't have a smile on their face. The most interesting part about this was that the snow was falling, but nothing was landing on the people or the ground. The ground was dry! Between 5:00 and 5:20 updates on Hazer Imam's status were being relayed to the jamat who had by now formed on long line along the route that the motorcade would be travelling.



At 5:25 (i think, it was difficult to keep time) it was told to us that the motorcade would be arriving at any moment. Seniors were in their postitions and everyone had their My Flags and Canadian flags flying high! From the corner of our eyes we could see the police cars blocking the roads and then all of a sudden there was a police car entering the parking lot and behind it was Hazer Imam's car. His car slowed down to a complete stop at the entrance, at which point the lights were turned on in the car and window was rolled down. Hazer Imam's car then drove ever so slowly along the route. Hazer Imam waved to each and every murid and had a huge smile that could light up the room. He looked immensly happy! The jamat was cheering, tears were flowing and flags were flying high! Within what felt like 30 seconds, MHI's car drove along the route and then exited from the other end of the parking lot.



The jamat was cheering and huggin and Mumbaraki's were being conveyed to all. Volunteers quickly guided the jamat back into the halls where tears were freely flowing and sweets were being handed out. The feeling in the hall was so vibrante and was filled with so much happiness and excitment. The one thing that a lot of people were saying was that when the motorcade came into the parking lot, the weather was forgotten and everyone was feeling warm.



For me, it was an experince of a life time and memories that will last me forever. The smile on my face is still there and will be forever! I hope I was able to bring a smile on your face as well. You were all in my thoughts at all times.


Please feel free to share this with others!



Cheers,

AS RECEIVED


Hello All those could not make to come Toronto for Deedar

First Mubaraki to you all .

Hazar Imam arrived at Rogers Centre (Sky Dome) & 3. pm noon.
Jamat had gathered early morning.

It was Full Sky Dome wiith Happy Ismaili Murids from all over the World.
33 Countries Ismaili Murid came for Deedar
Approx 35 - 40 Thousand Saturday Deedar.

Hazar Imam was very happy, and entered with the GJ Robe.
Hazar Imam took about 15 minutes going round the jamat & blessing Khanavadan Khanavadan,
Then Mowla came to the Throne.
Then Ayaat was said, and Ginan recited Haith no Maravado.

Hazar imam's face was lit up with Noor, smiling looking all sides & smiling. There was Noor Noor every where.
Then Kasida was recited.

Chain, Thal Sufro etc was presented to Hazar Imam. Accepting all with Khanavadan.

Hazar imam came to the mike and was smiling, Hazar Imam said Today is Darbar GJ Day, a Day of Happiness, and I want you all to be happy smiling and laughing that is what is Darbar all about. Jamat laughed with Hazar Imam. Hazar Imam said I like to have fun and laugh with my Jamat, but first will talk about serious matters.

Said Economy is going to be bad, exercise caution in spending and be wise. when difficult time is over you can again enjoy what you were doing,but at this time havre to use your judgement.

Hazar Imam concerned about Poor countries, and would not like to see "My jamat poor".

THanked the Government of Canada & Provincial Government for their Support and Hospitality. then Hazar Imasm said when I was entering the Darbar the Ramp on the wall said "LOADING ZONE" now I donot load anything, and hazar Imam laughed & the Jamat Laughed too.

Hazar Imam said I am leaving with no Loading, jamat laughed with mowla.

Hazar Imam blessed the Jamat for Mushkilassan, happiness, unity in the family,barakat,and all your wishes fulfil blessings for Ruhani s. and said I want you to be very happy and have smiles on your face and laugh with joy.

Hazar Imam blessed Abe Safa,then The National Council President gave a speech and pledged Loyalty
to Hazar Imam on behalf of the Jamat.
President presented a gift (didnot get to know) and Vice President present a Tray which Hazar Imam took
some time reading and accepted the gifts (will let u know what it was )
The stage Darbar was beautiful Unique one then all other I have been.
Gold Screen, Gold Chair , White Carpet and White diff kinds of Flowers.
Liiking at the staduim, nobody woukd believe this is stadium where hokey is played.

it was transformed into a Palace.

Hazar Imam left darbar and again took round the whole staduim and blessed the Jamat Present.

Hazar Imam was greeted outside by Non Ismaili Spouses and Mowla took time talking to them and shaking hands and signig autographs. It was beautiful to see Hazar Imam taking so much interest talking to them.
well this is all I can rember now played rasda dandiya am tired,
Had Biriyani Samosas Icecream etc etc. lots and lots of food.
Remembered yiu all in my prayers during Deedar. Mubaraki to you
loves & Loves

LEFT Photo: 2008, November 22: CANADA VISIT - . The Aga Khan presided with Honourable Beverly J. Oda over the signing in Toronto of a Memorandum of Understanding 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. Mr Firoz Rasul and Dr Peter George signed on behalf of their respective institutions. (Photo: Heritage Staff)




Later that morning, The Aga Khan meet with The Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario. A special meeting was held in the afternoon at the Rogers Center with his community comprising of members from 33 countries. (Photo: Heritage Staff)

McMaster, Aga Khan continue partnership
Posted By THE CANADIAN PRESS



Officials with McMaster University and Pakistan's Aga Khan University will sign an agreement to continue their decades-long partnership today.

The collaboration between the two schools started shortly after the AKU was founded in the early 1980s.

In addition to exchanges of faculty and students, McMaster president Peter George said the two institutions collaborated on the construction of Aga Khan's nursing school in Pakistan in the 1980s.

The partnership also led to the creation of a woman and health leadership program in the 1990s.

"We have worked on expanding programs in a number of fields," he said, adding scientific exchanges in business and sciences will continue.

Aga Khan takes a personal interest in empowering women
Vancouver Sun
Published: Monday, November 24, 2008

There are Golden Jubilee flags flying high in our great city this week denoting the visit of the great spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslim Community, the Aga Khan.

The Aga Khan is a direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. In keeping with the Shia tradition of Islam, the mandate of the Imam extends to both spiritual and worldly matters.
Through the Aga Khan Development Network, a group of agencies provides catalysts for development through their mandates that range from health and education to architecture, microfinance, disaster reduction, rural development and the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalization of historic cities.

I personally owe him gratitude, as he has provided me with numerous tools to be able to elevate my standard of living. He has provided me with an excellent education. He built kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools in Kampala, Uganda, where I was able to learn English and obtain a solid education. He took such care of these initiatives; I know he personally supervised the selection of teachers sent to Uganda.

He has empowered Shia Ismaili Muslim women by providing them with a base level of education and then elevating them further by offering them access to university education. Today in his institutions women are appointed to senior positions and given great responsibilities. For the most part, Ismaili women have achieved equality because of his beliefs, vision and work.

In 1978 he guided us to make Canada our home.

I would like to thank and salute him for helping me to truly become a Canadian, and for the ability to reap all the benefits this life has provided.

Mobina Jaffer

Senator for British Columbia


© The Vancouver Sun 2008

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news ... 48bf97d30f

My account of the Deedar/Darbar experience.

Here you go Shehnaz. Please do share this with everytone you know. Also, please note that I have not bothered with spelling or grammar. I was just writing as things came to my mind.

----------------------------------
Toronto Darbar, Saturday, November 22nd. 3:00 pm. at Rogers' Centre (formerly Skydome). This stadium is used to play baseball and football (American football). Someone erroneously suggested it is meant for hockey. It is not.

The whole experience was EXTREMELY wonderful. The council made sure that everything was taken care of for ALL murids. They had luxury buses for people from Ottawa, Montreal and other jamats who were coming to Toronto. We left our home at about 9am and parked our car at the Exhibition Place parking. There were shuttle buses waiting to take us to the darbar site. Everyone in the bus was dressed so nicely and was happy and greeting each other.

Hazar Imam was supposed to arrive at 3pm. We got to the Rogers' Centre at about 10am and it was already 60% filled! We got a nice spot just a little to the right of the stage....so the entire stage was in front of us. There were 6 big screen projectors setup and many LCD television sets through the hall. Rogers' Centre isn't normally a very good place for an event like this but one thing I noticed was how intimate it was. Because of it's shape (circular), it felt very intimate. Unlike the Direct Energy Centre or Toronto International Centre which are retangular, this location seemed different in a very nice way. The stage was beautiful! It was large, simple yet very elegant. The volunteers were trying to get everyone to sit on the carpeted area (the playing field). However, there was just no more room, so they had to open up the 100 level seats for older people and people who came really late

The Intezar program was very nice with lots of appropriately selected ginans and zikar tasbihs. The Jamat was VERY WELL behaved. I compare this to the 2005 Deedar when I felt (and a lot of other people did too) that the Jamat wasn't very well behaved. I think the Waezeens prepared the jamat very well a few days in advance. The intezar program started at 12noon. One hour before HI was supposed to come, the entire Jamat was seated in its place with very little movement. About 10-15 minutes before the Imam's arrival, (apprx. 2:45 - 2:50) the Jamat was asked to sit quitely and await HI's arrival in the hall. There are accounts that there was 30000 - 40000 murids in the hall and IT WAS QUITE. This part was so amazing....there was "pin-drop" silence. We were told the Salwats will start as soon as HI enters the halll.

HI's motorcade arrived at about 2:52pm (as usual, panctual) and we could see this on the screens they had set-up. Then at about 3:07, HI entered the hall. Right away you could tell He was very happy. He was smiling and blessing the jamat. He continued His customary walk for about 10-13 minutes and arrived at the stage.

There were the following recitations:

Quran ayat + meaning
Ginan - Ya Ali Khoob Mijals
Qaseeda - Khushamdeed
Address and homage by the President of the Canadian council, Mohammed Manji, on behalf of all the countries represented at the Darbar (33 countries)

Then HI stood up and gave His firman. Here is the gist of the Firman. I was too 'involved' with the present moment to remember everything He said.

He started off by blessing the Jamat. I know that for a long time, HI stopped giving His 'Paternal, Maternal" blessings in His firmans. He used to do this long, long time ago. Also, I don't remember if He gave His 'Paternal, Maternal" blessings in any of the other GJ firmans....however, I could be wrong. But here, in Toronto, during the Saturday deedar, He gave His "....most affectionate, paternal, maternal loving blessings"....for various things. He thanked the gov. of Canada and Ontario. He specially blessed the volunteers for making the arrangements for the outside Jamats....outside of Toronto and the International jamat.

Right away, He said a Darbar is an occasion of happiness and of rejoicing and He said later on, at the end of the Firman, he was going to share some humour with us. He said that Islam is a faith of happiness and of joy....not just the serious things. And it makes Him happy to see the jamat smiling. So he said he was going to share some humour with us and said we should all (the jamat and the Imam) should laugh together. "But first", he said, "we should talk about some serious matters."

Then He talked about the economy. He said the future is "unpredictable". We need to be careful and not invest in assets that may not give us adequate returns. Then He said/asked what can be done during this "unpredictable times"? He asnwered by saying people should work together in their professional and business ventures. He said this will help us ride out the bad economic times as well as create a framework to work together even after the economy has steadied itself.

Then He talked about Din/Duniya. The need to have a balance between the two.

Then He talked about activites that are not in line with our ethical values and value system. He laughed and called these activities "frivolous activities". (frivolous = self-indulgently carefree; unconcerned about or lacking any serious purpose). Again, with a smile, he said "some activites are frivolous and some are simply frivolous and evil". Laughing, He said, "Give them up." Now, don't don't take His laughter at face value. It almost seemed like He was saying - give them up or there could be serious consequences - it was more like a sarcastic laughter. But the point He made was enormously clear!

The he taked about humour again and reminded us that He told us He will share some humour with us. He said that as he got off his car (at the Rogers' centre), he a writing in BIG, BLACK letters on one of the ramps in the belly of the Rogers' centre that said "Loading Ramp". The jamat laughed. The he said, this was fine, but he suspected that there might some clever person who will, when the Imam left the darbar, say "that the Imam left loaded". Of course the reference was to alcohol. Then a little later on, when he was talking about something serious, He started fumbling for words and then once he found the right ones, he paused and said "Now, don't let that confuse you with the Imam being loaded". Everyone laughed. Then He laughed and added "that will never happen". (hhhmmm...perhaps a message in the last statement?).

Finally, He once again reminded everyone that Islam is a religion of happiness and of rejoicing and that when He sees the jamat happy and united and smiling, it makes the Imam happy and he also reminded us that we all, at all times, in His thoughts, love and affection.

Then He sat down.

Then there were some ceremonies.....abe shafa, etc.

The Imam stood up again and gave another short firman. He talked about what His (and ours) goal was for GJ. He talked about the ultra poor, the aged and civil society.

Gave His blessings again and walked off the stage. He walked again for almost 15 minutes. There was a section where there the very sick people who were on stretchers (hospital beds). HI walked INSIDE that area and spent a few minutes with them, blessing them (not talking). Later on, when everything was done, I was walking by this section and saw an older gentleman, perhaps about 80 - 85. He was in bed, covered to his mid-section by the blanket. He looked fairly sick and had his eyes closed. There was some IVs attached to him and he was on the heart monitor. What amazed me to see was that he was in a suit! This is how we Ismailis come to see our Imam, even in this condition. And then there are some people in jamat khanas who have absolutely no idea what to wear in jk. They come dressed as though there were going to watch a James Bond movie. Now, there are always exceptions....people coming straight from work, etc. But over all, people need to know how to dress in jks. But any how.....back to the darbar.

Once the Imam left the hall, the jamat offered Shukrana tasbih and zikar tasbih. Again, everyone was seated and so well behaved. Then the external monitors showed the Imam, back into his suit, talking to the non-Ismailis spouses. He spent almost 30-40 minutes with them. Shaking hands, placing his hand on a baby, even signing an autograph! When we see things like this, and see the Imam so upclose and personal to non-Ismailis, we at times say "I wish the Imam was like this with us as well". But we should realize that our relationship with Him is at a totally different level. In the darbar hall, the Imam blessed us hundreds of times by saying "Khanavadan". Not once did He say this to the non-Ismailis. He even changed out of his "jaba" (robe) when He went to meet them.

Now, if anyone knows what he discussed with the non-Ismailis spouses, please share it with us. I am sure e-mail travels fast, far and wide. I would love to see what he had to say to them. I am not sure if the council is going to share this with us. Even if they do, it may just be after we have already heard it from other sources!

Finally He left the Rogers' Centre and the Jamat was then asked to take a break before the jamati ceremonies were to start.

Anyhow, I hope I have given you a gist of what happened that day. It was truly amazing and the voluteers did such an amazing job and worked so hard.

Today, He is in Calgary and tomorrow, He will be in Vancouver.

Once again, mubaraki to you Shehnaz and your family and to everyone who is reading this e-mail.

Golden Jubilee Darbar Toronto Canada Nov 22nd 2008 time 3pm
Venue Rogers centre, Toronto, Canada

It was a very big day in Canada.
Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Karim ‘s first Golden Jubilee Darbar in Canada
The city was beaming with some 50 thousand murids from all over the world.
The nature had decorated the city with white glistening snow flakes every where.
It was cold but not unusual for Toronto winter. it was really beautiful everywhere. Holiday lights were adding to the festivities.
There was no snow fall on the day of the darbar.sukhar1
No traffic jams or any difficulties encountered in commute.
Canada volunteers did remarkable.
The Rogers centre is a stadium in the heart of the city with capacity of about 40 thousand persons including the stepped sitting area. About 20 thousand for sitting on the floor level
Darbar stage was elegantly decorated with white flowers and golden jubilee décor.
Hazar Imam’s white and gold chair was in the middle of the stage .3 large screens were on either side of the stage.
The gates opened at 9 am. Intezaari program began at 12 noon
Everyone was seated by 2pm .Great discipline!
Hazar Imam arrived at seven minutes before 3 pm.
Monitor promptly showed the car and Hazar Imam stepping out of a black long car. my eyes were filled with tears as I watched Mawla stepped out with his Right arm held against his body as if hurting he came out with his legs first I felt he physically looked a bit tired. He was wearing a dark grey colored pinstrippped suit and light blue patterned tie. He was warmly received by the leadership.
He went to his private area to be dressed in GJ Attire.
He entered the hall from the back of the hall close to special needs area. He was showered with salvats by the jamat reciting in great harmony.
Mukhi kamadias were walking behind him at a small distance.
He went around all the red carpet area ,blessing the jamat softly in un audible words his right arm was on the side and his left arm folded at the level of the waist.
He walked for about 10 minutes to give deedar and then ascended the steps to sit on the takhat .
He invited Mukhikamadias and Mukhiani kamadianis to the stage who took their respective seats
I was very close to the big screen and could see each and every expression on Mawla’s face
He was out of breath from this walk and ascent on the stage he was catching up on the breath
It was five minutes before his breathing rate was normal
He smiled but I could sense some worries behind the smile.

Chain was garlanded by Mukhi saheb
Quranic ayat and the recitation was done
Followed by the ginan Ya Ali khub majalis.
They did wonderful!
Monitor was focusing Mawla and the reciters at a right pace
Mawla’s face was serious most of the time looking every where.
President Sahib made the loyalty address
Occasional nod and occasional smile during all of it.
Then Hazar imam got up to make Farman
Everyone said salvat
The Farman started with blessings for each and every murid present, their families and jamats and all the volunteers for a remarkable work.
Darbar is a time of happiness and laughter together, he said.
He said we will have humor and laugh to gather but now a small serious talk
He expressed his gratitude to the government of Canada.
He expressed his admiration for the enormous volunteer work and effort of all the murids who contributed to the effort of golden jubilee darbars, a remarkable work.

He right away came to the topic of economy - he said there is worldwide economic crisis.
Predictability is difficult and fragile
Live wisely and carefully on the presumption that future is unknown more than normally
The financial instability is also in the developing world as it is in developed world.
Do not engage in anything in frivolously.
Global financial world is in turmoil
Deep recession is going to affect everywhere.

Predictability is unknown during this time.
Live carefully live wisely.
Murids in same profession or similar businesses may come together and help each other
Families must come together and help each other
Make your value system stronger
The lifestyle adopted during the recessionary time can be beneficial to continue even after the crisis has dissolved
He said, “During last 50 years of my Imamat I have given much of my time in developing opportunities in the counties of your origin”

“Never have I said establish yourself in the East or the West.”
Volatility will not stop at the frontiers of industrialized world
There will be a process of slow down in many parts of the world
What can jamat and institution do in these current times for my spiritual children?
Live prudently.
reinforce the institutions of civil society
help each other come to gather in your business and profession to help each other
this process will give you a positive situation which will better protect you from recessionary forces
good progress in developing world requires good governance
When there is no good governance civil society is very important.


Hazar imam then expressed his admiration for time and knowledge nazrana across the world by the murids

This time and knowledge will support the institutions during these difficult times
In Canada there are jamats from various parts of the world especially jamats from central Asia has opportunities to benefit from pluralism in Canada and seek education and access to English language and in due course one day return to their countries to give benefit to their brothers and sisters
Value system in the West is different from the value system of Islam
Remain true to the ethics of Islam
Think as one family, help each other, be generous, be loyal, truthful, and protect your values it is of enormous importance.
Attend prayers regularly.
If the pressures of modern life do not permit attendance, take a tasbih call the names of Allah, Hazrat Ali or the names of Imams.
Faith must be a part of your everyday life.
From material life to spiritual life and then again back to materialism do not do that
Be regular in practice of your faith. If you have any frivolous habit gives it up.
If frivolous and evil habit give up both
Occasion of golden jubilee is a time of happiness and laughter
You can derive humor and laughter from children and in anything you see around”
He started smiling and gesturing happiness. then he said,:

“When I entered the darbar site I Passed the black board reading “LOADING RAMP”!
That means when I leave I will be “LOADED”?!
I would love to be loaded but it is never the case with the Imam.”
He laughed heartily and so did the jamat.
I did not get the joke but I just loved Mawla bapa laughing and that made me so happy I just laughed also so did everyone and the hall was filled happiness and smiles.
He said you should smile and find laughter in small things and keep yourself happy
Islam believes in happiness we can be happy and laugh and enjoy! And be immensely happy!
Then he gave blessings and said I pray for the fulfillment your wishes , Mushkil asan ,unity in the families and lots of khanavadans.
He sat down and then was presented with nazrana and mehmani
He rose once again thanked for the wonderful gifts and started talking some more Farman when
He reviewed the issues of the jamat during the golden jubilee year and work needs to be done.
1. Support the poor and very poor murids in eliminating poverty in industrialized and non industrialized counties ,it will take time to achieve the goal, but we have to do it.
I will take your time and knowledge but don’t compare it with” “ LOADED” he laughed some more. So did the jamat.
2.Life expectancy is getting longer working life is getting longer
Aged in the jamat should feel loved and given dignity
3. Certain jamats do not have constitutional bodies or Jamatkanas that work needs to be done
4 Strengthen the institutional capacities so we can harness the resources globally with implementing of “best practices”(utilizing time and knowledge)
I will be physically not present with you
But he wants a happy and united jamat.

He was then ready to leave ,walked some more everywhere he did not go before
Went to the hospital area and blessed everyone some more
He then left with the mukhikamadias to his private time
He came out again dressed in suit
He then went the area where non Ismaili spouses were standing he was very happy and enthusiastically talking to a number of spouses
Gave autographs saw the photos showed by some, shook hands with a number of them played with a few babies he looked as if just did not want to leave.
President Sahib and Shafiq Sachedina were patiently following him he talked almost 30 minutes with them
All the Ismailis in the hall were so jealous !
They would not be if they only knew the immense value of what they had just received was million times more precious than what others got!
Only khanavadan is the word others die for!
Hazar imam passed through “the loading ramp” on arrival but in fact we got loaded by his blessings and the pearls of his Farmans and guidance
Amazing darbar !
Amazing emotions !
Amazing everything!
He truly came to load the jamat spiritually!!
Unparallel event!
Mashalllah Canada jamat and volunteers did great!
Very many felicitations to both my nephews Amin and Nazim Jivani who worked day and night giving seva and were satisfied with Imam’s glimpse from far with tears filled eyes but got immense satisfaction that every jamati member had amazing experience.
They received Imam’s immense admiration and special blessings Ameeen
The celebrations followed.
Jk ceremonies were done.
Dinner was chicken biriyani ,samosas ,ice cream tea cookies and much more.
Played rasgarbas
Reached home at 230 am.
Sukhar Al hamadallah.

Dolly Chandani M.D.

www.goldennazrana.com

Excellent Didar o­n Sunday. MHI also spoke in fluent French during his Didar. The CN Tower - tallest Tower in Canada was lighted up in Green and Red colors ! Hope everyone noticed that. If not, there is a picture of the CN Tower in today's ( Nov 24th)  Toronto Star

alnoordharsee wrote:Excellent Didar o­n Sunday. MHI also spoke in fluent French during his Didar. The CN Tower - tallest Tower in Canada was lighted up in Green and Red colors ! Hope everyone noticed that. If not, there is a picture of the CN Tower in today's ( Nov 24th)  Toronto Star

Can you send the link of the picture of the CN Tower in today's Toronto Star?

Thanks