10 September 2026
In the evening on Thursday, 10 September, Mawlana Hazar Imam travelld from Delhi to Ahmedabad in Gujarat, where he was received by a delegation of Jamati leaders.
A large portion of the global Ismaili population traces its cultural and linguistic roots back to villages and towns in Gujarat. Between the 11th and 16th centuries, the Ismaili Imamat sent pirs to Gujarat and Sindh as religious teachers of what became known as the Satpanth (true path) tradition. Their teachings are largely preserved in the Ginans, a form of South Asian devotional poetry. Many Ismailis of these regions took on the name “Khoja,” derived from the Persian term of respect “khawaja.” Gujarati-speaking Khoja merchants would go on to carry the community outward through trade networks to other parts of South Asia, East Africa, and beyond.
Additional photos at The.Ismaili
11 September 2026, Ahmedabad
Mawlana Hazar Imam met with the Honourable Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devvrat. They discussed AKDN’s work to improve the quality of life in the state of Gujarat and beyond.
Photo: IPL / Sarfaraj Khorasi
Governor Devvrat has served in this role since 2019. His major contributions have included advances in environmental conservation, girl’s education, women’s empowerment, and natural farming in the state.
“Thank you for your warm welcome, for a fascinating discussion, and for the joint commitment to work together on several pressing issues of our time,” Hazar Imam wrote in the guest book.
Gujarat, situated along the western coast of India, has the country’s longest shoreline. It is the fifth largest state in the country, and ninth most populous, with a population of 60 million inhabitants. Jamati and Imamat institutions have made several investments here over the years, including forming farmer’s alliances, supporting efforts to fence agricultural land, and working with the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme to offer technical advice to farming communities. Their educational endeavours date back to 1905, when the first Aga Khan School was founded in Mundra.
Additional photos at The.Ismaili
On Friday, 11 September, Mawlana Hazar Imam granted didars for the Jamats of Northern and Eastern Gujarat and Southern Saurashtra. In the morning session, the Mukhi of Ahmedabad Headquarters Jamatkhana submitted bay‘a on behalf of the Northern and Eastern Gujarat Jamats. In the afternoon session, the Mukhi of Junagadh Headquarters Jamatkhana submitted bay‘a on behalf of the Southern Saurashtra Jamat. Following the third didar, Mawlana Hazar Imam departed for Mumbai.
Photos at The.Ismaili
Ismailimail 