Spectacular Photos: The Lit-Up Dome of the Toronto Headquarters Jamatkhana, and the Aga Khan Museum’s Unique Garden Party

Big Heech Sculture Aga Khan Museum Simerg Malik Merchant
The Big Heech Sculpture at the Aga Khan Museum, as an indigo coloured light is projected on the museum wall. The sculpture is the work of acclaimed Iranian-Canadian artist, Parviz Tanavoli. On the panel explaining the sculpture Parviz notes, “Heech has multiple layers of meaning — in Persian Sufism it has a great meaning: God created the universe out of nothing, so if the universe is made of nothing, then nothingness is everywhere, in every part of the universe, in all creatures. That’s one way of looking at it, and the other way is that as a physical shape it has an appealing volume to me; it has a head, eyes, and a very beautiful body. So, from both angles, it was a perfect word for me to choose and work on.” Photo: © Malik Merchant / Simerg.

By MALIK MERCHANT
Publisher-Editor Simergphotos,  Simerg, and Barakah

The Aga Khan Park and Aga Khan Museum were colourful, elegant and spectacular on the night of Friday, August 14, 2020. The Ismaili Jamatkhana was absolutely inspiring. For the first time in months, the Jamatkhana’s glass dome was lit up, announcing its reopening on Monday August 17, 2020, approximately 156 days after Jamatkhana closures were announced across Canada on March 13, 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Excellent programming by Ismaili Institutions in Canada as well as around the world kept everyone informed, educated, entertained and rejuvenated. The Talika blessings from Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, on five separate occasions — 63rd Imamat Day, Eid ul-Fitr, Covid-19 Guidance, Blessings in light of Covid-19 and Navroz — kept us strong and courageous, and filled our spirits and hearts with his light, and gave us hope.

Garden Party Aga Khan Museum and Aga Khan Park Simerg and Simergphotos Malik Merchant
A view of the lighted front wall of the Aga Khan Museum from the Ismaili Centre during the Garden Party held on August 14, 2020. Photo: © Malik Merchant / Simerg.

My last night’s (August 14) walkabout to the Aga Khan Park surprised me when I reached the site. I wasn’t planning to go. It was already past 8 PM. But something was urging me to go!

The museum parking lot was packed with cars, and my thought as I crossed Wynford Drive to enter the Park was that I had misread the opening of the Jamatkhana by three days! As I walked around the Park and reached the Museum wall on the south side, I realized there was something spectacular taking place at the Aga Khan Park, just outside Aga Khan Museum. Little did I know — because I haven’t been reading things lately — that there was a Garden Party underway. What a setting! The pictures on this page tell it all! And when I looked across the Park, I saw the Toronto Headquarters Jamatkhana dome in full glow! What a spectacular sight after 5 months of an unlit dome!

Ismaili Jamatkhana lit-up dome, simerg
A view of the lit glass dome of the Ismaili Jamatkhana on Wynford Drive in Toronto. The lights have come on again with the Jamatkhana scheduled to reopen on Monday August 17, 2020 after more than 150 days of closure due to Covid-19. The trees are reflected in a pond, one of 5, at the Aga Khan Park that lies in between the Jamatkhana and the Aga Khan Museum (not shown). Photo: © Malik Merchant / Simerg.

Can you imagine, as an Ismaili, how happy and proud you feel when you see the lighted dome from the Don Valley Parkway — the ever busy gateway to downtown Toronto from Highway 401, which is the busiest highway in North America! Here are a selection of photos from that pre-ordained walk that I made to my favourite destination in Toronto! Sometimes, when you relent to pressures that come from within you, and you follow your instincts gratefully they turn out to be among the best moments in life. Last night was one such day!

Garden Party Aga Khan Museum and lit up dome of Ismaili Centre, Simerg
One of several private tents that were available for rent during the Aga Khan Museum’s Garden Party held on the evening of August 14, 2020. In background is the lit-up glass dome of the Ismaili Jamatkhana on Wynford Drive in Toronto. The lights have come on again with the Jamatkhana scheduled to reopen on Monday August 17, 2020 after more than 150 days of closure due to Covid-19. Photo: © Malik Merchant / Simerg.
Ismaili Jamatkhana dome Torontp, Malik Merchant Simerg
A view of the lit glass dome of the Ismaili Jamatkhana on Wynford Drive in Toronto. The lights have come on again with the Jamatkhana scheduled to reopen on Monday August 17, 2020 after more than 150 days of closure due to Covid-19. In background. at right, is the front wall of the Aga Khan Museum, spectacularly lit up by lights projected on it during the museum’s Garden Party held on Friday August 14, 2020. Photo: © Malik Merchant / Simerg.
Aga Khan Museum Garden Party
A beautiful projection of lights on the front wall of the Aga Khan Museum located on Wynford Drive in Toronto. The museum is reflected on a pond, one of 5 in the Aga Khan Park, which separates the museum from the Ismaili Centre (not shown). In view, just behind the pond, are some of the private tents that were available for rent during the Aga Khan Museum’s Garden Party held on the evening of August 14, 2020. Photo: © Malik Merchant / Simerg.
Big Heech Aga Khan Museum Simerg
Shades of Big Heech Sculpture at the Aga Khan Museum as coloured lights are projected on the museum wall. The sculpture is the work of acclaimed Iranian-Canadian artist, Parviz Tanavoli. On the panel explaining the sculpture Parviz notes, “Heech has multiple layers of meaning — in Persian Sufism it has a great meaning: God created the universe out of nothing, so if the universe is made of nothing, then nothingness is everywhere, in every part of the universe, in all creatures. That’s one way of looking at it, and the other way is that as a physical shape it has an appealing volume to me; it has a head, eyes, and a very beautiful body. So, from both angles, it was a perfect word for me to choose and work on.” Photo: Malik Merchant / Simerg.
Ismaili Jamatkhana dome
A beautiful view of one of several private tents that were available for rent during the Aga Khan Museum’s Garden Party held on the evening of August 14, 2020. In background is a spectacular view of the lit-up glass dome of the Ismaili Jamatkhana on Wynford Drive in Toronto. The lights have come on again with the Jamatkhana scheduled to reopen on Monday August 17, 2020 after more than 150 days of closure due to Covid-19. Photo: © Malik Merchant / Simerg.
Downtown Toronto from Aga Khan Park Phot by Malik Merchant Simerg/
A view of downtown Toronto from the Aga Khan Park. The tall CN Tower can be seen in the distant just to the right of the centre of the picture. Photo: © Malik Merchant / Simerg.
Ismaili Jamatkhana Mihrab Lit Up dome Simerg photo Malik Merchant
A view of the lit glass dome of the Ismaili Jamatkhana on Wynford Drive in Toronto, with the mihrab, dark grey block, facing Mecca, the direction of prayer for Muslims. The lights have come on again with the Jamatkhana scheduled to reopen on Monday August 17, 2020 after more than 150 days of closure due to Covid-19. Photo: © Malik Merchant / Simerg.
Ismaili Jamatkhana glass dome, Simerg
A view of the lit glass dome of the Ismaili Jamatkhana on Wynford Drive in Toronto. The lights have come on again with the Jamatkhana scheduled to reopen on Monday August 17, 2020 after more than 150 days of closure due to Covid-19. Photo: © Malik Merchant / Simerg.
Ismaili Jamatkhana dome Tooronto Simerg
A view of the lit glass dome of the Ismaili Jamatkhana on Wynford Drive in Toronto. The lights have come on again with the Jamatkhana scheduled to reopen on Monday August 17, 2020 after more than 150 days of closure due to Covid-19. The dome is reflected in a pond, one of 5, at the Aga Khan Park that lies in between the Jamatkhana and the Aga Khan Museum. In front of the Jamatkhana building are a series of tents that were available for rent during the Aga Khan Museum’s Garden Party held on the evening of August 14, 2020. Photo: © Malik Merchant / Simerg.
Ismaili Jamatkhana glass dome, simerg.
A view of the lit glass dome of the Ismaili Jamatkhana on Wynford Drive in Toronto. The lights have come on again with the Jamatkhana scheduled to reopen on Monday August 17, 2020 after more than 150 days of closure due to Covid-19. The dome is reflected in a pond, one of 5, at the Aga Khan Park that lies in between the Jamatkhana and the Aga Khan Museum (not shown). Photo: © Malik Merchant / Simerg.

Date posted: August 15, 2020.

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Category : Aga Khan Museum, Aga Khan Park, Ismaili Jamatkhanas, Nature and Space, Travel Essays
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