Photo Essay: Working Behind the Scenes – The Exceptional Work of Ismaili Volunteers During a Jamati Feast (‘Jaman’)
PHOTOS BY MUSLIM HARJI
Photographer Muslim Harji, centre.
Editor’s note: During cultural or religious celebrations such as the Iranian New Year (Navroz) on March 21, Mawlana Hazar Imam’s accession to the throne of Imamat on July 11 (Imamat Day) and his birthday on December 13 (Salgirah), several Ismaili Jamats around the world gather to celebrate with traditional dancing, and enjoy a feast prepared and served by badged and non-badged volunteers of the jamat, which include members of the randhan (food and entertainment) committees.
Muslim Harji of Montreal, who has contributed so many other fine photo essays for this blog, captures striking ‘behind the scenes’ portraits of Ismaili volunteers working selflessly for the enjoyment of the jamat at large. We thank Harji for this exceptional series of photos taken in Montreal and Ottawa, two Canadian cities which are approximately 180 kilometres apart.
Montreal – senior volunteers discarding the garlic skin. Garlic is a tasty additive to any meal and has a reputation for its medicinal benefits. Photo: Muslim Harji
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Without potatoes, a curry, biryani or pilau is incomplete. Seniors peeling potatoes. Photo: Muslim Harji
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And who is winning the potato peeling race? Photo: Muslim Harji.
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And a grinder on full blast. Plenty to do. Photo: Muslim Harji
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Happy faces, with ovens on the go to serve thousands. Photo: Muslim Harji
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Just a moment, some more of the spicy kind, green chillies! Photo: Muslim Harji
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For even taste! Photo: Muslim Harji
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Mixing the rice for all-round perfection. Photo: Muslim Harji
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Katchumber/salad for pilau and biryani. Photo: Muslim Harji
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With joy and happiness, filling up the serving plates. Hot food all the time! Photo: Muslim Harji
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Food about to be served. Photo: Muslim Harji
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Jamati members enjoy the food. Photo: Muslim Harji
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Line-up for chai and juice. Photo: Muslim Harji
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Junior Ismaili volunteers take on the tasks. Photo: Muslim Harji
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Youth at work – yes, we finished it all! Washing time! Photo: Muslim Harji
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High power spray. Photo: Muslim Harji
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DJ music for modern and traditional dancing to follow! Photo: Muslim Harji
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OUTDOOR IMAMAT DAY PICNIC IN OTTAWA, CANADA’S CAPITAL
Hot Ismaili style bhajias, which is served with chai, being prepared for early-birds to the Ottawa Imamat Day picnic held annually at Stanley Olde Maple Farm. Photo: Muslim Harji
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Beef ribs for lunch. Photo: Muslim Harji
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…and some more. Photo: Muslim Harji
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Pizza, an option. Photo: Muslim Harji
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Favourites — beef, chicken and corn! Volunteers always have their meals last after fully satisfying the jamat. Photo: Muslim Harji
Date posted: Monday, March 30, 2015.
Last updated: April 3, 2015.
Copyright: Muslim Harji, Montreal, PQ, Canada. 2015.
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Profile of Muslim Harji at Contributors.
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Absolutely beautiful, and delicious pictures.
This trip must have been a great experience.
THE FOOD 👌
It gives me great happiness and pride to see these wonderful pictures of old and young Jamati members enjoying the festivities. However, our jamat in Syria (and other parts of the world) is suffering, and we need to cut back on these festivities. It appears that for this reason the jamati event at the Excel centre in London was cancelled. Rajabali and Amirbanu Nanji of London
(originally from Uganda)
We are blessed to be Ismailis. There is no other community in the world who is so happy as we are. All year around, we got so many festivals, religious and social, when we meet with our brothers ans sisters from every corner of the world. We always enjoy all these festivals and FOOD also. My many thanks to all the volunteers young and old who make our all the programmes perfect in everyway.
Photography “par excellence “
Amazing work by the Volunteers …so proud of our young ..youth and older volunteers. We are blessed 🙂
Excellent pictures Muslim ..proud of you too 🙂
Rashida
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