The Ismaili Jubilee Games’ Lantern is Welcomed to the Ismaili Centre and the Children’s Soccer Camp in Burnaby

BY ABDULMALIK MERCHANT
Publisher-editor, Simergphotos and Simerg

A boy proudly holds the Ismaili Jubilee Games lantern on Sunday, June 19, 2016, at the annual soccer camp which is being attended by 198 young Ismaili girls and boys in Burnaby, British Columbia. The highly successful camp is being held over two-weekends, June 18/19 and June 25/26, 2016, and supported voluntarily by Ismaili soccer players and athletes. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with photos of Ismaili children welcoming the Jubilee Games lantern (fanous) on Sunday June 19, 2016, at their soccer camp which is being held over two weekends, June 18/19 and June 25/26, in Burnaby, British Columbia. The editor attended the event and was gratified to see 198 young children participate in the  2016 annual camp, which is being supported voluntarily by passionate and dedicated Ismaili soccer players and athletes. The goal of the camp is to instill a love of soccer among children, to bring the children and their families together so that new and permanent friendships are built to enhance unity within the community, and to improve soccer skills of children who play “the beautiful game” in their schools and local communities.

Amyn Bhulji, iconic Ismaili sportsman, soccer player and coach, lifts a young girl for her to touch the  Ismaili Jubilee Games fanous (lantern) at the soccer camp organized for young Ismaili children at the Burnaby Lake West Complex on Sunday June 19th, 2016. Like the Olympic Flame, this fanous will be the unifying symbol for the weeklong second International Ismaili Jubilee Games, which will get underway in Dubai on July 22, 2016.  Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

The Ismaili soccer camp photos are in Part II of this post.

(I) THE LANTERN IS SHOWCASED AT THE ISMAILI CENTRE IN BURNABY, CANADA

The Ismaili Jubilee Games’ lantern, known as the Fanous, was welcomed at the historic Ismaili Centre in Burnaby, in the Province of British Columbia (BC), on June 17, 2016, in a beautiful ceremony at dusk, after the completion of the Friday religious ceremonies. The perimeter of the magnificent Ismaili Centre courtyard formed the short relay route, as some of the competing athletes carried  the lantern to the centre of the courtyard, where the Mukhi of the Darkhana jamatkhana then, in a symbolic gesture on behalf of all the Ismailis of Canada, placed  the lantern on top of a special platform. Hundreds of jamati members later took to the stage to take photographs with the lantern so that they could have keepsake memories for a cherished historical moment in their lives.

Young Ismaili girls and boys carry the Ismaili Flag with pride during the Golden Jubilee Games held in Kenya to commemorate the 50th Imamat anniversary of His Highness the Aga Khan. Photo: The Ismali/Moez Visram (Hakim Sons)

The inaugural Jubilee Games were held in 2008 in Kenya as an international Ismaili celebration to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan. This year’s Jubilee Games in Dubai beginning on July 22, 2016, are being held in advance of the 2017 Diamond Jubilee celebration of His Highness the Aga Khan, Mawlana Hazar Imam, which will commence on July 11, 2017. It is Mawlana Hazar Imam’s wish that international sporting festivals should become a regular feature in the Jamat’s calendar. The number of athletes for the 2016 Games is expected to double from 2008, from just over 1,200 to more than 2000. Canada will be represented by more than 500 athletes, with the BC Province providing 79 outstanding individuals in numerous sporting events.

The lantern roadshow, after its debut at the Darkhana jamatkhana and Ismaili Centre on June 17, was welcomed at the Burnaby Lake jamatkhana on June 18, and will reach the following jamatkhanas over the next few days: Headquarters (Sunday, June 19), Richmond (June 20), Tri-City (June 21), Fraser Valley (June 22) and Downtown (June 23).

Approximately seventy nine Ismaili athletes from the Province of British Columbia (BC) will be representing Team Canada at the Ismaili Jubilee Games to be held in Dubai in July 2016 out of a Canadian contingency of around 500 athletes. Here, a small group of BC athletes get a picture taken before they join a short relay to welcome the lantern to the Ismaili Centre in Burnaby on June 17, 2016. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

The beautiful and scenic courtyard of the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby, was filled to capacity as Jamati members welcomed the Ismaili Jubilee Games Lantern in an emotional and touching ceremony on Friday, June 17, 2016. The lantern, known as the fanous, will make its way to Dubai which is the host city for the International Ismaili Jubilee Games to be held in July. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

Jamati member enjoy the magnificent courtyard of the Burnaby Ismaili Centre before the official ceremony to welcome the Ismaili Jubilee Games lantern, the fanous, gets underway. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

Jamati members relax and enjoy the magnificent surroundings of the courtyard of the Burnaby Ismaili Centre before the official ceremony to welcome the Ismaili Jubilee Games lantern, the fanous, gets underway. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

Master of Ceremonies gets the lantern welcoming event underway at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby,  on Friday June 17, 2016. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

An Ismaili athlete from BC carries the lantern in a short relay around the courtyard of the Ismaili Centre in Burnaby. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

At front row are members of the Mawji family with their inspiring son, at right, who was accorded special honour and recognition for his outstanding performance and participation  as a special Olympian over the past several years. See also next photo, below. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

Photo: Mr. Mawjee carrying the fanous during its final stage before it was passed over to the Ismaili leadership. Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

A large gathering at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby, watches the welcome ceremony for the fanous (lantern) on the jumbotron. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

The President of the Aga Khan Ismaili Council for British Columbia delivers his remarks, with the fanous to his right. Photo: Nazir Nenshi. Copyright.

Malik Talib, the President of the Aga Khan Ismaili Council for Canada, is seen delivering his remarks in a  pre-recorded video message. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright

Seventy-nine athletes from British Columbia will be representing Team Canada at the Ismaili Jubilee Games in Dubai in July. Each athlete was individually recognized and introduced to the crowd, and was greeted on the stage by the President of the Aga Khan Council for British Columbia. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg.

Proudly, with the fanous. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg.

A British Columbian athlete who will be participating in the Jubilee Games for the second time. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg.

A dream for a better world from a well-wisher. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg

The base of the fanous has five interlaced crescents of equal dimensions which represent the meeting of Ismaili athletes from throughout the world at the Jubilee Games to be held in Dubai in July 2016. Photo: Simerg Collection. Copyright.

A moment to cherish for the beautiful and marvellous Ismaili volunteers. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg

A child’s hope and wish from the heart. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg.

Beautiful centrepieces! Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

Friends pose for a photo. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg.

Mansoor Walji family. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg.

At the conclusion of the evening’s welcoming ceremony for the lantern and recognition for the BC athletes who will be representing Canada, the jamat was treated to light refreshments. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg

Dreams and…words of encouragement. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg.

A soothing evening. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

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(II). ISMAILI CHILDREN WELCOME THE JUBILEE GAMES LANTERN AT THEIR SOCCER CAMP

Some of the 198 Ismaili boys and girls from British Columbia who are participating in a 2-weekend soccer camp at the Burnaby Lake West Complex. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg.Copyright

A group of Ismaili children at the soccer camp. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

A boy gets a close look at the fanous. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

A moment to cherish for a young Ismaili girl at the soccer camp as she holds the Jubilee Games lantern. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

A moment to cherish for yet another young Ismaili girl at the soccer camp as she holds the Jubilee Games lantern. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

The fanous was passed around from one child to the next by children attending the soccer camp. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

Almost every child at the soccer camp got to touch the lantern. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg

The lantern making its rounds through circles formed by Ismaili children at the soccer camp. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

Smiles, pride and happiness all-around. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

An Ismaili athlete holds the lantern at the Ismaili children’s annual soccer camp. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

Families and children took opportunities to have photographs taken with the Ismaili Jubilee Games lantern, which became the centre stage attraction at the children’s soccer camp on Sunday, June 19, 2016. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg .Copyright.

Families and children took opportunities to have photographs taken with the Ismaili Jubilee Games lantern, which became the centre stage attraction at the children’s soccer camp on Sunday, June 19, 2016. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

Families and children took opportunities to have photographs taken with the Ismaili Jubilee Games lantern, which became the centre stage attraction at the children’s soccer camp on Sunday, June 19, 2016. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

British Columbian Ismaili athletes, some of whom will be attending the Jubilee games in Dubai, pictured with the fanous on June 19, 2016, at the annual children soccer camp.Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg.Copyright.

The Kamadiasaheb of Burnaby Lake Jamatkhana delivers final remarks at the fanous welcoming event at the Ismaili soccer camp with inspiring prayers for athletes who will be participating at the Jubilee Games in Dubai. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright.

Date posted: Sunday, June 19, 2016.
Last updated: June 20, 2016.

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