The Holy Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan's Birthday Celebrations - Khushiali Mubarak! Salgirah Mubarak! (Birthday Blessings!)
Why
The birthday of the Imam of the Time of the Shia Ismaili Muslims is celebrated to honor his service to God in spreading peace and understanding amongst his community and the peoples of the world. This tradition has continued for over 1400 years since the time of Hazrat Ali (a.s. on whom be peace) the first Imam appointed by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s. - peace be upon him)
When
His birthday anniversary is on December 13th every year
Where
Celebrations take place in over 50 countries around the world where Ismailis live. Recently, Prime Minister Harper of Canada and his Cabinet honored His Highness the Aga Khan by issuing Governmental greetings to the Imam and applauded his humanitarian efforts in bringing hope to the underprivileged in the world and in spreading knowledge amongst people of different backgrounds and promoting pluralism
History
Birthdays
of the Ahl-e-Bayt (the Prophet's family) and the Imams and certain
important dates of the year were celebrated. Imam took part in the celebrations
of the festivals. Local festivals of secular origin, like the "Flooding
of the Nile" and "Navroz" (beginning of spring) were also encouraged by
the Imam. Imam
al-Muiz would hold huge receptions at his palace; processions were
taken through the town and the whole town was illuminated."
The above (taken
from the History of the Imams page) is a description of the traditional
celebration of the birthday of the Imam of the time (Hazar Imam) the progeny
of Prophet Muhammad (sas). We are all very happy at the occasion of the
birthday of Mowlana Karim Al-Husaini Hazar Imam (as), the 49th descendant,
on December the 13th. The world is celebrating the birthday of this Noble
Spirit, Ameen.
"I was pleased to read recently the University’s own description of its continuing international goals: increasing joint programmes, encouraging semesters abroad and broadening exchange programmes, building international community service and internship opportunities, and creating new academic programmes with a global perspective.
Mowlana Hazar Imam is going on 73 years! Alhamdulillah! He continues to make a positive impact upon communities around the world by bringing about understanding amongst peoples, social, economic and eductional change. The community is rejoicing everywhere on this auspicious occasion.
Please do take a few minutes and review the pages I have created on his past birthday anniversaries. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Links below.
"He it is Who sent His Apostle with guidance and the religion of truth, that He might cause it to prevail over all religions." [9.33]
"The essence (batin) of Ismailism remains unchanged but the external aspect (zahir) changes. The Nizari Ismailies believe that the first man who existed on earth was an Imam and the last will also be an Imam...These two are in essence the same, the archetype of the Spirit that pervades the whole of Creation. As Imam Ali is reported to have stated in the Sermon of the Great Declaration (khutbat al-bayan): "I am the First and the Last." All Imams are thus understood in Ismaili doctrine to be one of the same essence transmitting
the Sophia Perennis (Eternal Wisdom) to the seekers of enlightenment from generation to generation until the end of time."
- Diana Steigerwald, (The Multiple Facets of Ismailism, Sacred Web, Volume 9, pp. 87, July 2002)
Quran
Sura 4:174, 175
Yaa- 'ayyu-hannasu qad
O mankind! Verily
Jaa- 'akum
There hath come to you
Bur-hanum
A convincing proof
Mir Rabbikum
From your Lord:
Wa 'anzalnaa 'ilaykum
For We have sent unto you
Nuram mubiinaa
A light (that is) manifest.
Fa- 'ammal'lazina 'aamanu
Then those who believe
Bil-laahi wa' -tasamu
In God, and hold fast
Bihi fasa-yud-khiluhum fi
To Him, - soon will he
Rahmatim-minhu
Admit them to Mercy
Wa Fazlin
And Grace from Himself,
Wa yah-dihim 'ilayhi
And guide them to Himself
Siraatam Mustaqima.
By a straight path.
"In Islam, the Holy Koran says that man is God’s noblest creation to whom He has entrusted the stewardship of all that is on earth. Each generation must leave for its successors an enhanced and sustainable social and physical environment. I am sure every responsible citizen in every part of the world would share this aspiration." - from Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Ninth Award Cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture at the AKDN site
How can we as his Murids, do more for our world and for our spiritual uplift?
"With respect to relations between the Western and Islamic worlds, are we not seeing a conflict of stereotypes and prejudices, exacerbated by a good measure of ignorance about Islam? There are, of course, some differences, but if superficiality and trivialisation can be set aside, and be replaced by the will to go deeper to seek a solid foundation for mutual understanding and respect, it can be found in the common heritage of the Abrahamic faiths and the ethical principles that they share."-- His Highness the Aga Khan, speaking at the presentation ceremony for The Aga Khan Award for Architecture on 6 November 2001.
Islam has the answer to the world's problems by following the true teachings of Islam, i.e. equality of all humans (isn't this why the Christian and Jewish faiths flourished when Islam was ruling the world?), by bringing the quest for material goods in real perspective i.e. not giving up our spiritual practices in the pursuit of material happiness. All of us should be the ambassadors of Islam and show the world that the "terrorist" label is not one that belongs to Islam. Let us do our part in educating everyone about what it means to be a Muslim, this year and every year. Inshallah!
Birthday Greetings to His Highness The Aga Khan from Prime Minister of Canada The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper Download pdf file
