On a Perfect Valentine’s Day, the Aga Khan Park, the Ismaili Jamatkhana Dome and the Aga Khan Museum Come Even Closer to My Heart
By MALIK MERCHANT
Publisher/Editor Simerg, Barakah and Simergphotos
I couldn’t have asked for a better and happier February 14, 2021. I woke up very early to complete an exclusive photo piece of Mawlana Hazar Imam His Highness the Aga Khan’s historic visit to Pemba on November 18, 1957. Looking out of the atrium windows across my living room facing North-West, I knew the sun was rising on the South-East side. It was -9°C and there was absolutely no wind. I had been cooped up inside for the past few days and wanted some fresh air. I brewed Colombian Supremo Coffee that I had purchased a week earlier at St. Lawrence Market, filled a huge steel mug that keeps beverages boiling hot for about an hour, and headed to a nearby What a Bagel which was spewing out fresh hot bagels the minute I arrived there. “Give me a really hot one,” I said, and asked the ever-smiling server to make me a vegetarian sandwich. “Not toasted,” I reminded her, as many who come to the shop insist on having their order toasted, even if they are fresh from the oven.
I jumped into my car, turned it on with a low heat setting and enjoyed the bagel and coffee. What next? A visit to my Valentine, and I am sure that makes my readers curious. A meeting, maybe, at the Aga Khan Park?
Who might that “lucky” Valentine be? In the absence of my lovely daughter who is several hundred kilometres away and my beloved mother who was thousands of kilometres away and only passed away three weeks ago, my constant and beloved companions have been the Ismaili Centre with its unique Jamatkhana dome, the Aga Khan Museum and the Aga Khan Park. It is in these places that I have experienced much needed happiness and inspiration. I have adored being there. Can one make non-human object(s) around you as your Valentine for February 14th? Not by the definition of Valentine’s, but I contrived one just for myself!
I cannot thank anyone but Mawlana Hazar Imam for his vision in conceiving and building three extraordinary spaces for the enjoyment of people in Toronto and everyone around the world. I am one of the lucky ones, who gets to visit the grounds as and when I like. February 14, 2021 was a very special day. There was beautiful light snow on the ground, the sky was blue and sunny, it wasn’t cold and the flags stood still in the absence of any windshield factor!
I FaceTimed my daughter Nurin to show her the beautiful environment that I surrounded me. My face, she could see, had lit up.
After spending a good measure of my morning at the Aga Khan Park, I returned home to the Pemba photo essay. The remainder of the day was set aside for the Pemba post, while many others would be enjoying their Valentine’s day with their partners in creative settings necessitated by Covid-19.
Date posted: February 14, 2021.
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Nice blog.
Ya ali Madad Mr. Malik
Thank you very much for sharing
Only You, Malikbhai, could contrive to catch and immortalize the’ Meeraj’ (esoteric Meeting) of the ever Blue sunny sky and the Pristine pure white snow on the grounds of Agakhan Museum, Agakhan Park and the Ismaili Headquarters Jamat Khana in Toronto.
The meeting of Beauty and Purity, on this Valentine’s day in 2021!. Reminds me of the Verse of Ginan – Dhan Dhan – ‘Parane aapano Parthami Raajo Vishav Kunwaariji……Hetno (7)
Looking at the photographs, I feel that Time has Stood Still for me as Peace and Tranquility invades my Being…….
May Mowla, in HIS Ultimate Mercy give us all the opportunity to experience these Glimpses of HIS Wonders!!!
Layla Moledina.
Vancouver
Ya Ali Madad Malik. The description of your trip of love was so vivid it was like I was right there with you. The photographs are breathtaking.
Anything connected to our Mawla like the Jamatkhana or Aga Khan Park would be the best place to turn to, whether it’s your happiness or your grief.
May Mawla give you strength to overcome your loss. Ameen 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Spectacular pictures, thank you!
LOVED your photographs – great job, my friend. Keep on clicking.
Excellent bit of writing…it felt like the reader was with you…the mood is captured and the photos bring it to reality. Readers will appreciate this inspiring post.
Nice!
Thank you for sharing. Beautiful.
Very beautiful!
An excellent and gorgeous presentation covering all the beautiful places around the Aga Khan Park – the Aga Khan Museum as well as the Jamatkhana dome. Keep up the great effort.
Wow! You have taken amazing pictures.
What a moving and touching tribute especially on such a special day as Valentine’s day… The day of love. I am well aware that you are still grieving the loss of your mother as it has only been a couple of weeks…but what a strong and powerful effort you have made to surround yourself with the love of such an awe inspiring environment as this. Your photos are breathtaking and will permanently leave an impact on us on this very special Valentine’s day that we might not have otherwise had.
I just want to thank you for your dedication and your contributions to preserving so much of the history and heritage of our community.. May Mawlana Hazar Imam continue to bless you with prosperity abundance and above all good health…Ameen.
Your pictures are absolutely breathtaking you are such an amazing photographer and how you capture these moments is indeed a gift as well as a skill that you have honed after many years of being a photographer. Not to mention your writing I visualized this whole visit in my mind from beginning to end in such clear detail because of the way you so eloquently described it.
Though all the pictures stand out in my mind there is one that has made a peculiar impact on me because of the lone cloud that is reflected in the dome of the building because to me it looks like a murid in humble prostration while reciting prayers. (Sajood) I don’t know if it is just my eyes but it looks like a body slightly raised at the knees with the hands down getting ready to prostrate before God. Very powerful indeed.
Ya Ali Madad Malik
Happy Valentine’s Day…a little late..but better late than never. It is approximately 11pm and 2am in Toronto so you must be sound asleep after a beautiful day with your Valentine ❤.
Amazing pictures of your Valentine. I have been there just a few times and would love to visit as soon as Travel is permitted.
Take Care & Stay Safe & Well.
Ameen 🤲
Ya Ali Madad Malik,
Thank you so much for those amazing and inspiring photos of the Aga Khan Museum, Aga Khan Park and the Ismaili Centre Dome as well as your detailed comments. Looking forward for Pemba Photo essay. Thank you again for your excellent work and stay safe and healthy!