Photo Essay: A Glimpse of the 56th Imamat Day Celebrations at the Toronto International Centre
Text and photos by Malik Merchant
Thousands of Ismailis gathered at the Toronto International Centre on Sunday June 30, 2013 to celebrate His Highness the Aga Khan’s ascension to the throne of Imamat.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, as His Highness is affectionately known to his Ismaili followers, is the direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s) and became 49th hereditary Ismaili Imam on July 11, 1957 at the age of 20, upon the demise of his grandfather, His Highness the Aga Khan, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah, who ruled the community for a record of 72 years. The first Imam was Hazrat Ali (a.s), who is regarded by all Shia Muslims as Prophet Muhammad’s successor, following the historical designation made by the Prophet at Ghadir-Khumm when he was returning from his Last Pilgrimage (hajjatul-wida) in the year 632 AC.
Ismailis celebrate the Ghadir-Khumm anniversary, known as ‘Id-e-Ghadir, as well as the Imamat Day of the Imam who is in office.
The following is a small collection of photos captured at the Toronto International Centre.
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All the spaces around the International Centre Buildings were packed with cars. Volunteers did a magnificent job of directing drivers around the various buildings
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Numerous halls catered for young and adults alike. Activities and exhibits were plentiful, so was the food
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Smiles – Rafika and her husband Nizar with his arm around his mother
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Plenty of chairs to rest, and enjoy the food in comfort
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A beautiful family, originally from Tajikistan
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Floor…ultimate comfort, with so much space around
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A truly well-organized event where queues for food and refreshments were kept to a minimum despite a large turn-out
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A section of the ITREB literature area…it was a very busy place..
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Literary encounters…from architecture to spirituality
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Meetings of friends…some after a long time
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The seniors’ eating area
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Amazing…total silver…a must take photo
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Two among thousands…the volunteers who make these events possible and enjoyable.
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The magnificent and colourful Mehndi tent
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Done!
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Artistic talent…and a happy Jamati member
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Numerous artists to meet the crowds intense interest for a temporary tattoo
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Others await their turn outside the tent
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Rasoda
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Rasada dance to the tune…too fast for a simple camera!
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Rasoda – panoramic view
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The Jamati institution display…another favourite among the crowd. Excellent panels, thorough explanations by members on duty, and informative brochures
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Institutional displays
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A rewarding day
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Date posted: Tuesday, July 2, 2013.
Date updated: Tuesday, July 2, 2013 (more photos added)
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There were some pictures taken of our most senior and vulnerable murids. These are not included. Farida Visram.
I welcome other photographers who were present at the Toronto International Centre to submit their photos for inclusion in this piece. Please email them to simerg@aol.com. Appropriate credits will be given.
What a surprise to see Nizar & Rafika in your snap shots. As I write this, the couple is in Miami. Nizar reminded me that his Mom who also is in the picture worked for my brother in Nakuru, Kenya, some 45 years ago. Now this is what you call a small world.
Malik, as always you have captured the ‘essence’ of the event with superb photos and captions. Yes, it was good to meet with old friends and remember past times. It was also a good opportunity to meet and make new friends whose friendship we will treasure for years to come.
Absolutely fantastic.
It looks likes there were no youngsters or children in the Hall. I am not accusing the reporter, I was not there. May be it shows us a very sad reality that they do not not participate in the festivity. I hope I am wrong.
There were children and youngsters, and my photos do not reflect the presence of children in particular. It would be interesting to know the participation of the youth for an event such as this and I hope statistics will be made available in due course. I was less focused on taking photos at the Toronto International Centre than I was recently at the World Partnership Walk in Kitchener where youngsters made such a big impact. Hopefully our institutions will make many more photos of this as well as other Imamat Day events around the world available through the official community website and the Al-Akhbar newsletters. Indeed, they should be posted as soon as the event has taken place!
I appreciate your observation, and will seek to include all age groups in the future.
Oh No! there was a seperate Hall for the kids, with games and play area, clowns and face painting; the reporter probably didn’t make it to that area.
Beautiful pictures and good memories of 56th Imamat Day celebrations of our Mowla.