By Yasmin Pyarali Karim
July 11, 1936-February 4, 2025
Most esteemed, noble, Imam of the atomic age, a direct descendant of holy Prophet Muhammad (a.s.).
Our beloved Imam Mawlana Shah Karim, the “Imam of the New Age,” as mentioned in the will of our beloved 48th Imam Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah, is the noblest and most loving as the superlative degree of Karim is al-Akram. He is Wadud, He who loves abundantly, 11:90; 85:14, 3:31; 42:23.
History has never before witnessed a more esteemed, noble, generous and greatest Imam at the dawn of this new cycle of Qiyamat from the progeny of holy Prophet Muhammad.
“Light upon Light” 24:35
I believe Mawlana Shah Karim has created a universal green lung with his love and wisdom, that continues to refresh, heal, enlighten all and has carried humanity beyond atomic sciences into space with a “cosmopolitan ethic”.
“A cosmopolitan ethic is one that will honour both our common humanity and our distinctive Identities — each reinforcing the other as part of the same high moral calling.”
Samuel L. and Elizabeth Jodidi Lecture at Harvard University, November 12, 2015
Mawlana Shah Karim has transformed lives by building bridges of knowledge and civil society, teaching pluralism, fostering growth, and promoting the dignity of life as “enlightened self-fulfillment.”
Pluralism = one community ummat-i wahidah = monoreality 2:213
“Islam’s basic principle can only be defined as monorealism and not monotheism” Memoirs
“The importance of contributing one’s individual energies on a voluntary basis to improving the lives of others. This is not a matter of philanthropy, but rather of self-fulfillment — “enlightened self-fulfillment.”
Address to both Houses of the Parliament of Canada in the House of Commons Chamber, February 27, 2014
Mawlana Shah Karim’s generosity, forgiveness, honourable great deeds, intellectual, spiritual and moral light has touched every single soul in the world of humanity, directly or indirectly, with love, hope, and inspiration.
“The replacement of fear by hope is probably the single most powerful trampoline of progress.”
Acceptance, “Tolerance” award at the Tutzing Evangelical Academy, May 20, 2006
Mawlana Shah Karim, the Soul of all our souls, has strongly united us, his spiritual children from diverse cultures, into one global Jama’at. He has given us the opportunity to contribute through the Time and Knowledge Nazrana and has propelled us to new heights of spiritual and intellectual illumination.
“Instability is infectious, but so is hope. And that it is why it is so important for us
to carry the torch of hope as we seek to share the gift of pluralism.”
Acceptance, North-South Prize award, Senate Hall, Parliament, Portugal, June 12, 2014
His role as the Ismaili Imam is a spiritual one and all his work has a spiritual value which is not understood and seen through the limiting lens of philanthropy.
“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”.
Acceptance, “Tolerance” award at the Tutzing Evangelical Academy, May 20, 2006
Mawlana Shah Karim has pioneered programs to “improve the quality of life” and worked tirelessly to reduce world poverty. He has introduced the concept of pluralism and guided us out of the darkness of ignorance and arrogance, fostering well-wishing and goodwill worldwide, regardless of culture, faith, or belief.
In the introduction of the book Where Hope takes Root, The Right Honourable Adriennee
Clarkson said:
“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 last 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 creative freedom expression. Pluralism is as important as human rights in ensuring peace, democracy, and a better quality of life.”
Our beloved Imam Mawlana Shah Karim’s abundant love for all humanity continues to remind us that practicing pluralism is essential for achieving world peace. He spreads the fragrance of Divine humility and gives hope for a better quality of life for all.
Diwan-i Nasiri
“Keep reciting the verse of “Abundant Good” 2:269 again and again
So that yearning for the Qur’an may be firm in your heart.
It is a hospital for all from the world of Divinity
It is a treasure trove of God for all from the world of Majesty”
Prof. ‘Allamah Nasir al_din Nasir Hunzai
Ismailimail 