12 September 2026, Mumbai
Upon arriving in Mumbai from Ahmedabad, Hazar Imam was greeted by Jayakumar Rawal, Maharashtra’s Honourable Minister for Protocol; and Rajesh Gawande, Maharashtra’s Secretary for Protocol. Several local government officials and leaders of the Jamat also welcomed Mawlana Hazar Imam.
Also welcoming Hazar Imam shortly after his arrival was a delegation from His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra community.
Additional photos at The.Ismaili
Mawlana Hazar Imam met with senior Jamati and AKDN leaders from across India, and thanked them for their dedication in serving the Jamat and wider society. Asif Porbanderwala, President of the Ismaili Council for India, welcomed Hazar Imam to the gathering and spoke of the privilege of service and the learnings that come with it. “Over the years we have come to understand that an institution is much more than a structure, a programme, or a system,” he said. “Its true strength lies in its people, the values it upholds, the trust it earns, and most importantly its ability to improve the quality of life of the Jamat.”
“Our promise,” he added, “is to leave every institution stronger than [when] we found it, so that those who follow can go further than we did.”
Hazar Imam spoke of his admiration for the leaders and volunteers who continue a time-honoured tradition in the Jamat’s history. “I would start by expressing my deep gratitude for the work that you provide for the welfare of the community, for the sacrifices that you make in family time and the time you take off work,” Hazar Imam said. “It’s one of the cornerstones of our community and it’s one of the blessings we have… Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Photo: IPL / Aadil Hooda
Additional photos at The.Ismaili
On Sunday, 13 September, Mawlana Hazar Imam granted didar for Jamat of Western India. Hazar Imam granted a second didar on the morning of Monday, 14 September before travelling to Hyderabad.
Earlier in the day, Mawlana Hazar Imam visited Darkhana in Mumbai, one of the oldest Jamatkhana buildings still in existence in the world today. It was established in 1848 and became the first Jamatkhana ever designated as a Darkhana. It was given this status by Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah in 1870.
The takht-nishini of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah was held at Darkhana on 1 September 1885, and the takht that our 48th Imam sat on that day is still there today.
Additional photos at The.Ismaili and Aga Khan Development Network
Also see Aga Khan V concludes first official visit to India
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