LISBON: Ismaili Muslims from around the world pledged allegiance to their 50th hereditary Hazar Imam, Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, during his Takht-Nishini (ceremonial enthronement) held in Lisbon on Tuesday.
The Takht-Nishini is a formal ceremony where the new Imam is officially presented with the robe of Imamat, a copy of the Holy Quran, a sword, and other items of religious significance, symbolising his spiritual and temporal leadership.
After the Takht-Nishini ceremony, the Imam is formally and globally recognised as the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community while his Murid pledge their total submission and allegiance to their new spiritual leader.
In his address to his followers, Shah Rahim al-Hussaini emphasized faith, inclusivity, and social responsibility.
The new Imam also urged his Murids to care for the elderly and differently-abled people, underlining a commitment to compassion, sympathy and community welfare.
He also called for a shift from mere obedience to what he termed “engaged citizenship”— a phrase he used twice, signaling its significance in his vision.
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