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 Nazrana (Offerings) during the Imamat of Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah - Vazir U Kan Gyi (1870-1960) of Burma had reverently offered Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah to let him bear his whole expenses as a nazrana during his visit to Burma between January 20, 1951 and January 26, 1951 |
By Mumtaz Ali Tajddin S. Ali
Present Living Imam, Shah Karim al-Hussaini
Under the glorious leadership of Mawlana Hazar Imam, the Ismailis have accelerated their economy to great extent, which paved a way for a large number of social projects more than expectation, and for its materialization, it was not required to the Imam to be weighed against the precious materials during his Silver Jubilee in 1982. Hence, the silver jubilee of Hazar Imam was marked with implementation of mass projects of health, education and other social projects in the world by generous nazrana of the followers.
Silver Jubilee
Sunday, July 11, 1982 was one such day that will remain forever in the memories of those who came from far and wide: from the remotest areas of the globe to Aiglemont, to convey the felicitations and express the happiness of millions of the Ismailis to their Imam.
The scene was picturesque, the atmosphere was charged and the exuberance and boundless. Dewan Sir Eboo Pirbhai (1905-1990), Chairman of the World Leaders’ Forum had an honour to address on behalf of the world jamats. Referring to the future, the Imam said, “We must continue to build and on solid foundations. Let us strengthen today’s fabric of institutions and programs so as to have them contribute the full impact of their potential on our quality of life.” Hazar Imam referred to issues which will have to be addressed in the future and said this should be done with “faith and courage, guided by the true spirit and meaning of Islam – to the precepts of which we should demonstrate our attachment in every facet of our lives.”
In another occasion, the Imam also said, “President Ashiqali announced a donation by the jamat of Pakistan of a Chair, at the Aga Khan University, and I want to express to you all, the whole of my jamat of Pakistan, my deepest gratitude to this magnificient nazrana.” (Karachi, 13th November, 1985)
In the message to the Canadian jamat on 24th June, 1997, the Imam said, “On the occasion of Milad an-Nabi, I am happy to inform my jamat of the decisions that I have taken for the utilisation of the most generous nazrana which my jamat offered me in commemoration of the 40th year of my Imamat in 1997.”
Golden Jubilee
The 11th July, 2007 historically marked an inauguration of the Golden Jubilee of Mawlana Hazar Imam. This was the glorious historical era when the Ismailis were scattered all over the world, not confined to East Africa and British India. The splendor, magnificence and the fidelity with which the Ismaili world celebrates the Golden Jubilee of their beloved 49th Hazar Imam was unparallel.
Eji Sami maro evo chh’e, jey kenu na rakh’e bhar,
Ek va’r sami’ne a’ali’e, to sami a’alay so’so va’r. (ginan)
“My Lord is such that he does not keep anyone’s load (upon him). Once you give (anything) to the Lord, he will recompense (its) hundred hundredfold (rewards).”
Header image: Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, is presented with a Nazrana (gift) by the Mir on behalf of the Hunza Jamat. Photo: Abdul M. Ismaily.
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 Nazrana (Offerings) Of Time & Knowledge - Early Islamic examples relating to NAZRANA OF TIME & KNOWLEDGE |
Mumtaz Ali Tajddin S. Ali has authored several articles and books, including Encyclopedia of Ismailism, 101 Ismaili Heroes and Ismailis through History. For several decades, he has been involved with Ismaili Tarqiah and Religious Education Board (ITREB) in Pakistan as an Honorary Missionary and lecturer of religious education classes on history, ginans and other educational topics.
Karachi: April, 2017
Ismailimail 