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Mowlana Hazar Imam’s 79th Birthday — Khushiali Mubarak! Salgirah Mubarak! (Birthday Blessings!) — December 13, 2015
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His Highness the Aga Khan Mowlana Hazar Imam – Spiritual Leader of Shia Ismaili Muslims
Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali!Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali!Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali!Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali!Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali!
The first Imam Hazrat Ali was appointed as as his successor by Prophet Muhammad at Ghadir e Khumm when he declared:
He of whomever I am the Master-Lord Mowla, Ali is his Master-Lord Mowla! Imam Ali plays a pivotal role in the spiritual lives of his followers as do his successors and we are blessed to be led by the 49th Imam!
Video and Audio Files of this declaration:
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.

 

Event

The Shia Imam’s Birthday – Decendant of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
What 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. 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 among people of different backgrounds and promoting pluralism. On November 4, 2011, Illinois State Governor Patrick “Pat” Quinn, praised the Imam and his work when signing an Agreement of Cooperation between the State of Illinois and the Ismaili Imamat. Please watch this wonderful video.
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.
More Info Please visit his past birthday celebrations every year listed on links below

Our Beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

‘You will see your Lord as you see the moon on the night when it is full.’

The night in which the Messenger was born is
Without doubt similar to the Night of Might, Sura 97
— Malikite mufti of Algiers, Ibn ‘Ammar, who states, the birthday, Maulid, has given the Prophet to the whole world, but the Night of Might, lailat al-qadr, was meant especially for him, that is, to the night in which the Quran was revealed for the first time, which is called in Sura 97 “better than a thousand months.”

‘Gazing upon Ali is an act of worship (al-nazar ila Ali ibada).’

‘May God have mercy on ‘Ali. O God, make the truth revolve around Ali wherever he turns (adiri‘l-haqq ma‘ahu haythu dara).’

‘I am the city of knowledge and ‘Ali is its gate; so whoever desires knowledge, let him enter the gate.’ (Ana Madinatul ilm wa Ali Babuha)

– All above are sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him!) (read the many more of his hadiths in honor of Imam Hazrat Ali!)

Masha’Allah! How lucky are we to be able to gaze upon him! To be in his community and to be able to contemplate him and have his Didaar! Alhamduli’Llah!

“And peace on him on the day he was born, and on the day he dies, and on the day he is raised to life” Holy Quran 19:15

“Whenever virtue subsides and immorality prevails, then I body Myself forth. For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the establishment of Dharma (righteousness), I come into being, in every age.” – Bhagavad Gita

“And strive hard in (the way of) Allah, (such) a striving as is due to Him; He has chosen you and has not laid upon you any hardship in religion; the faith of your father Ibrahim; He named you Muslims before and in this, that the Apostle may be a bearer of witness to you, and you may be bearers of witness to the people; therefore keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate and hold fast by Allah; He is your Guardian; how excellent the Guardian and how excellent the Helper!” Quran 22:78

He it is Who sent His Apostle with the guidance and the true religion that He may make it prevail over all the religions; and God is enough for a witness.” Quran 48.28

“Surely God has bought of the believers their persons and their property for this, that they shall have the garden; they fight in God’s way, so they slay and are slain; a promise which is binding on Him in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) and the Quran; and who is more faithful to his covenant than God? Rejoice therefore in the pledge which you have made; and that is the mighty achievement.” Quran 9.111

Mubarak everyone! As Ismailis, we are truly fortunate to be blessed by this Grace and rejoice in the bargain we have made. Mashallah!

∞

One of the central elements of the Islamic faith is the inseparable nature of faith and world. [Din and Dunya] The two are so deeply intertwined that one cannot imagine their separation. They constitute a “Way of Life.” The role and responsibility of an Imam, therefore, is both to interpret the faith to the community, and also to do all within his means to improve the quality, and security, of their daily lives. I am fascinated and somewhat frustrated when representatives of the Western world — especially the Western media — try to describe the work of our Aga Khan Development Network in fields like education, health, the economy, media, and the building of social infrastructure. Reflecting a certain historical tendency of the West to separate the secular from the religious, they often describe it either as philanthropy or entrepreneurship. What is not understood is that this work is for us a part of our institutional responsibility — it flows from the mandate of the office of Imam to improve the quality of worldly life for the concerned communities.

Our spiritual understandings, like those of your Academy, are rooted, of course, in ancient teachings. In the case of Islam, there are two touchstones which I have long treasured and sought to apply. The first affirms the unity of the human race, as expressed in the Holy Qur’an where God, as revealed through the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him, says the following:

O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord, Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from the twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women.            — Quran 4:1

This remarkable verse speaks both of the inherent diversity of mankind — the “multitude” — and of the unity of mankind — the “single soul created by a single Creator” — a spiritual legacy which distinguishes the human race from all other forms of life.

— His Highness the Aga Khan’s Acceptance Speech – Tutzing Evangelical Academy’s ‘Tolerance’ Award – Tutzing, Germany May 20, 2006 – this is an amazing speech, read full version here

In the Holy Quran, God outlines that everyone who strives for virtue and right action will be led back to Him through their faith as our primordial nature, the Fitra, is to seek a way back to our origin, to merge into God, we have been hard-wired to know God, a veritable theme in the Quran.

“Truly those who believe, and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabeans (the Persians), whoever believes in God and the Last Day and is virtuous, surely their reward is with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them, neither shall they grieve.” Quran 2:62

Even though Islam is being maligned post-9/11, it is very clear from the verse above that the same God, the Almighty, is the originator of Islam, as of the all the great religions. In the Quran we are exhorted to follow our faith and way as the right path to Him. As Ismailis, we follow the Holy Prophet Muhammad and his progeny. See what Allah says in the Quran:

For each (religion), We have appointed from you a Law and a Way shiraatan wa minhajan. Had God willed, He could have made you one community. But that He might try you by that which He hath given you [you are born into a faith]. So vie with one another in good works. Unto God you will all return, and He will inform you of that wherein you differed.” Quran 5:48

Unto each community We have given sacred rites mansakan which they are to perform; so let them not dispute with thee about the matter, but summon them unto thy Lord.” Quran 22:67

The Ismailis do not proselytize as every religion has its own rites and rituals to be pursued by the adherants, seeking their way back to God. The pluralism and multiple cultures were ordained by Providence, so we would know one another as the Holy Quran says:

“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most pious.” Quran 49:13

In the Holy Quran, God outlines that everyone who strives for virtue and right action will be led back to Him through their faith as our primordial nature, the Fitra, is to seek a way back to our origin, to merge into God, we have been hard-wired to know God, a veritable theme in the Quran.

“Truly those who believe, and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabeans (the Persians), whoever believes in God and the Last Day and is virtuous, surely their reward is with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them, neither shall they grieve.” Quran 2:62

The Ismailis follow the esoteric practice of Islam, of piety and virtuous action, that has survived from the time of Prophet Muhammad and Imam Ali; all Sufi orders descend from him and strive to please God. Our present living Imam, Mowlana Hazar Imam, has been a champion of “vying with one another in good works” as is evident in all his works for his community and for the wider population. Always promoting pluralism, recently opening the Global Centre for Pluralism, and leaders the world over are realizing and praising his active humanitarian endeavors. And now the Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum is open to bring about even more understanding amongst peoples!

According to Sura Fatiha, the first chapter of the Quran, we are to follow the straight path and ask to be guided to the straight path!

“And strive hard in (the way of) Allah, (such) a striving as is due to Him; He has chosen you and has not laid upon you any hardship in religion; the faith of your father Ibrahim; He named you Muslims before and in this [the Holy Quran], that the Apostle may be a bearer of witness to you, and you may be bearers of witness to the people; therefore keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate and hold fast by Allah; He is your Guardian; how excellent the Guardian and how excellent the Helper!” Quran 22:78

With such a wonderful Guide, what are we to do and how are we to respond? The Imam tells us religion means not only faith but also good works! So for his 78th birthday, can we reflect and put our life in the right order, to follow his guidance and with faith commit to virtuous action? Then we can truly celebrate as you can see the special verse in the Quran referring to us: Mubarak!

“They are not all alike. Of the People of the Book, there is a staunch community who recite the revelations of God in the watches of the night, falling prostrate.” Quran 3:113

How can we as his Murids (the faithful believers), do more for our world and for our spiritual uplift?

With such a wonderful Guide, what are we to do and how are we to respond? The Imam tells us religion means not only faith but also good works! So for his 79th birthday, can we reflect and put our life in the right order, to follow his guidance and with faith commit to virtuous action? Then we can truly celebrate as you can see the special verse in the Quran referring to us: Mubarak!

“They are not all alike. Of the People of the Book, there is a staunch community who recite the revelations of God in the watches of the night, falling prostrate.” Quran 3:113

Meet you at dawn! Grace

“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)

“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

More guidance! Aren’t we truly blessed! Alhamduli’Llah!

“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.

“As we work towards that vision of the future we will remember the Surah of Light from the Quran. It tells us that the oil of the blessed olive tree lights the lamp of understanding, a light that belongs neither to the East nor West. We are to give this light to all. In that spirit, all that we learn will belong to the world and that too is part of the vision I share with you.”Speech by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan to the Asia Society, New York, September 25, 1979

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, its generosity, its piety and ethical values, wishing upon their neighbors what they wish upon themselves, the principle of unity where the all the peoples of the world are created by the one God and we are to all spread the message of peace and tolerance to all, this year and every year. Let this birthday anniversary of our Holy Imam remind us of our duty to mankind! Rejoice!

The following is a contribution from my friend, the author of the Ismaili Encyclopedia. Blessings!

SALGIRAH OF HAZAR IMAM

By Mumtaz Ali Tajddin S. Ali

The Persian word sal means anniversary and girah means knot, thus salgirah refers to an anniversary added on to a string kept for the purpose. Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah said, “Life is a great and noble calling, not a mean and a grovelling thing to be shuffled through as best as we can but a lofty and exalted destiny.” Hence, the day of birth, for every soul, is of supreme importance. Nations celebrate birthdays of their leaders and their own anniversaries of independence; families and groups celebrate birthdays of their beloved ones, relatives, friends and heroes. The Ismailis do not celebrate the birthday of their Present Imam in the same manner. The significance of Imam’s birthday far outshines that of the birthday of any other leader or hero. To Ismailis, this is a unique and privileged occasion, and indeed a reminder of the Living Evidence of God. The Imam’s birthday is an event of happiness for him as well as for his followers. The rejoicing is born out of the fact of spiritual and moral strength of the followers who are in constant remembrance of and submission to God.

Every Salgirah of the Imam reminds the Ismailis the words the Imam spoke, “What can the jamat do to make Imam happy on his birthday?” So in fact, the Imam’s birthday is a stock taking day for the jamat to search their souls and think deeply, have they made Imam happy or not, if not, what can they do to make him happy? The Imam had made several farmans to the jamats and indicated how the jamat can make him happy. His foremost emphasis is on cooperation, brotherhood and understanding. There are so many avenues through which one can serve Imam and gain happiness for himself also. To work sincerely, to give in charity, to have a merciful heart, to look after the welfare of the less fortunate, the sick and the poor, is a form of worship. To be mindful of each other’s difficulties and extend help and understanding is also worship. It is such a noble work that raises man to a higher level, makes him a better human being, and better human being will make a better jamat, a better society. It would be presumptuous to believe that everyone can change overnight. However, exercise of will and determination can certainly raise the level of thinking and attitude. — End

Statement by Liberal Party of Canada Leader Justin Trudeau on his meeting with His Highness the Aga Khan

AgaKhan and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife - Amaana.orgThe Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and his wife, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, meet with his Highness the Aga Khan at the new Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa.

May 28, 2015

DELTA, BC – The Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement about his meeting with His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims:

“It was a great honour and privilege to once again meet with His Highness the Aga Khan and other Ismaili community leaders last night at the new Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa.

“For more than 50 years, the Aga Khan has been a global humanitarian leader, working tirelessly to reduce poverty, promote pluralism, and improve health and education outcomes in developing countries. He remains a beacon of acceptance and compassion, and an inspiration to both his community and the world.

“Canada’s strong and long-standing relationship with His Highness reflects the importance of the Ismaili community, and the immense contributions it makes to our rich and diverse national fabric.”

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Aga Khan Mowlana Hazar Imam’s 79th Birthday Salgirah 2015

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