A website dedicated to photographs and videos from Canada and around the world with an emphasis on nature, wildlife, food, travel and sport as well as art, architecture and culture. In culture, the focus will be on projects related to the work of His Highness the Aga Khan, his Ismaili Muslim community and Islam in general.
Beautiful Daytime Moon Photos at Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 3 Unique Projects — the Aga Khan Park, Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum
The moon was beginning to set on March 3, 2021 on one of the clearest and nicest blue skies I have seen in Toronto — I must admit I have seen many such beautiful sunny days recently. I was driving north on the Don Valley Parkway after completing a very early morning errand in downtown Toronto. The moon was bright enough and looked beautiful, and my thoughts immediately turned to Aga Khan Park, as I approached the Eglington Avenue Exit. It was close to 8:00 AM, so I “must grab my coffee first,” so to speak — more psychological than anything, because as soon as I reached the Park I forgot both the coffee and a freshly baked bagel because that could wait, the setting moon wasn’t going to wait, and the brightness of the sun might just diminish its visibility. The few crows that were around caw-cawing made it feel like spring was in the air, and when I looked at the bare branches I sensed they wanted their leaves to bud. A beautiful jet flew thousands of feet above the Jamatkhana dome.
For those who don’t know, the fact is that the moon is up in the daytime as often as at night time. I could see the moon because it was bright enough, and far enough away from the sun to be seen. I caught these photos before 8:45 am, at which time the sun took over over and completely subdued the moon.
I have put out so many posts of the Aga Khan Park that readers might think I am crazy; yes crazily in love with the Aga Khan Museum, the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Park. That is why I visit these beautiful spaces built by Mawlana Hazar Imam His Highness the Aga Khan. Please enjoy this selection of photos that I captured with my iPhone on March 3, and with Nikon P510 and Olympus E-M10 cameras on March 3-5, 2021.
What we dedicate today is what we identify as an Ismaili Centre — a building that is focused around our Jamatkhana…As we inaugurate this building, we also have the opportunity to contemplate what it represents: the inspiring traditions of the past, the stirring challenges of the future, and the continuing search for peace through prayer — His Highness the Aga Khan, September 12, 2014.
….Soaring above it all is the great crystalline dome that you have observed, through which light from the prayer hall will provide a glowing beacon, symbolising the spirit of enlightenment that will always be at the heart of the Centre’s life — His Highness the Aga Khan, September 12, 2014.
At left, the social hall section of the Ismaili Centre that exits to a large terrace where refreshments are often served on festive days. Children take advantage of the vast cemented surface to try out their bicycles. To the right is the dome of the Ismaili Jamatkhana. Note the stairwell leading to the Ismaili Centre’s rooftop terrace, at left of the trees. See close-up photo, below. March 3, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
The Younger Generation’s Vision for the Ismaili Centre
When our planning for the Toronto Ismaili Centre started in 1996, we decided to ask the younger generation of Ismailis about their vision for this building. What did they want it to represent? How did they see it functioning? In response, young people from the ages of 18 to 27 generously shared their aspirations with us. They told us that they wanted a building that would be forward looking, while also being anchored in traditional community values. They also wanted a building in which they could strengthen their personal relationships — a place where they could not only unite in prayer, but could also develop new life-shaping associations — amongst themselves and with other Canadians. — His Highness the Aga Khan, September 12, 2014.
Stairwell leading to the rooftop terrace of the Ismaili Centre, with a close-up view of the Jamatkhana dome under sunny blue skies on March 3, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
The religious leadership of the Ismaili Imam goes back to the origins of Shia Islam when the Prophet Muhammad appointed his son-in-law, Ali, to continue his teachings within the Muslim community. The leadership is hereditary, handed down by Ali’s descendants, and the Ismailis are the only Shia Muslims to have a living Imam, namely myself. — His Highness the Aga Khan in interview with Politique Internationale (read article)
Date posted: March 4, 2021. Last updated: March 5, 2021 (new photos and quotes added).
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Dear Malik, Thank you very much for sharing these amazing photos of our three glorious Institutions in Toronto. The new photos from the Eglington train line are very impressive, Keep up the wonderful work.
This is an amazing post also. I just shared this with my 1500 + friends on the Facebook with the following remarks:
“An amazing post of this morning on the above subject in the simergphotos.com.
Malik Merchant deserves every one’s commendation and praise for such a lovely post.
This has certainly made my day. Malik – keep up the great work.
Kamrudin A. Rashid – March 4, 2021.”
Sincerest best wishes for continuation of such lovely posts.
Ya Ali Madad Malik
WOW Thank You for taking such amazing and very touching photos. Thank You for your time. We are truly BLESSED and SHUKR that Our Beloved Mawlana Hazar Imam chose Toronto for all these three elegant projects. No where in the Entire Global World You can see or witness AN ISMAILI CENTRE HIGH PROFILE JAMATKHANA ( ICT ), AGA KHAN MUSEUM, and AGA KHAN PARK.
Again Shukr Allalhamdullah. Wishing ALL Navroz Mumbarak. MAY the New Year BRING immense happiness, Health and Barakat Ameen.
Ya Ali Madad Malikbhai. Thank you very much for posting this amazing photos of our beautiful Jamat Khana, Ismaili Center, Museum, Park and now Subway station, which we are blessed with and are proud of. Inshallah soon we all will be able to enjoy all these projects which we are blessed with. Ameen
Wishing you and your Family Navroz Mubarak. Mowla bless us all with good health, spiritual and worldly happiness, peace and immense Barakat.
Thank you so much for sharing such captivating pictures of nature at its best.
Be safe
Dear Malik, Thank you very much for sharing these amazing photos of our three glorious Institutions in Toronto. The new photos from the Eglington train line are very impressive, Keep up the wonderful work.
Navruz Mubarak to you and your Family!
This is an amazing post also. I just shared this with my 1500 + friends on the Facebook with the following remarks:
“An amazing post of this morning on the above subject in the simergphotos.com.
Malik Merchant deserves every one’s commendation and praise for such a lovely post.
This has certainly made my day. Malik – keep up the great work.
Kamrudin A. Rashid – March 4, 2021.”
Sincerest best wishes for continuation of such lovely posts.
Ya Ali Madad Malik
WOW Thank You for taking such amazing and very touching photos. Thank You for your time. We are truly BLESSED and SHUKR that Our Beloved Mawlana Hazar Imam chose Toronto for all these three elegant projects. No where in the Entire Global World You can see or witness AN ISMAILI CENTRE HIGH PROFILE JAMATKHANA ( ICT ), AGA KHAN MUSEUM, and AGA KHAN PARK.
Again Shukr Allalhamdullah. Wishing ALL Navroz Mumbarak. MAY the New Year BRING immense happiness, Health and Barakat Ameen.
Aziz Juma,
Ajax
Ya Ali Madad Malikbhai. Thank you very much for posting this amazing photos of our beautiful Jamat Khana, Ismaili Center, Museum, Park and now Subway station, which we are blessed with and are proud of. Inshallah soon we all will be able to enjoy all these projects which we are blessed with. Ameen
Wishing you and your Family Navroz Mubarak. Mowla bless us all with good health, spiritual and worldly happiness, peace and immense Barakat.
Mowla keep us all safe and protected. Ameen