“DOORS” – A Photographic Tribute to Late Shiraz Bandali of Edmonton, Canada
Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT
Publisher/Editor Simergphotos, Barakah and Simerg
Sometime before his untimely death at the age of 56, my friend Shiraz Bandali of Edmonton, Canada, sent me a collection of several beautiful photos of “DOORS” that he had taken during his 2010 family trip to Morocco, Spain and Portugal. Alas, the task of identifying the exact location of each door could not be completed. Shiraz, who was born in Kampala, Uganda, on May 19, 1959, passed away in Edmonton on January 11, 2016. He is deeply missed by his family and friends in Edmonton and around the world.
His parents, the Late Anwar Bandali and Dolly Bandali, became our family friends when my own parents, Alwaez Jehangir (d. May 2018) and Alwaeza Maleksultan Merchant (d. January 2021), first visited Edmonton in 1974/75 as part of a year long Waez tour to newly established Jamats in Europe, the UK and North America. The Bandali family showed immense warmth to them, and when my parents took up positions with the Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board for the UK in 1975 (then known as the Ismailia Association), my dad stayed in constant touch with Anwar Bhai.
When I myself moved to Edmonton in 1980, Anwar Bhai and his family, and especially his son Shiraz, were among those family friends who helped me settle down in a new country. I constantly remember Shiraz and his family, and the photos Shiraz sent me never escaped my mind. But they were in my old notebook that crashed a few years ago. However, I was able to backup most of my material including Shiraz’s photos into my external drive. I have now been able to retrieve the backup from storage, and it is with a deep sense of personal satisfaction and happiness that I am able to present Shiraz’s “DOORS” for the first time ever, as they have not been shown before to the public at large. I acknowledge with deep gratitude his family’s cooperation and support on the publication of this post.
Family members and friends leave behind wonderful memories, and I take this opportunity to share photos of “DOORS” as an everlasting memory of Shiraz’s contribution to this website as well as his personal friendship.
I pray that both Shiraz and his late dad Anwar Bhai may rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
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“DOORS” BY LATE SHIRAZ BANDALI: PHOTOS TAKEN IN MOROCCO, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL
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Date posted: April 2, 2021.
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Born in Kampala, Uganda, on May 19, 1959, Shiraz Bandali and his parents were forced to leave Uganda following Idi Amin’s Asian expulsion decree in August 1972. The family first settled in Toronto, Canada, before making Edmonton their permanent home a few years later. Shiraz qualified as CPA, CMA and spent his professional life working for the Canadian Federal Government in Edmonton. Within the Ismaili community, Shiraz served in numerous council committees and task forces and was even able to serve his community with his passion for photography. He passed away at the age of 56. Shiraz, a loving husband, father, son, grandfather, brother, uncle and son-in law is deeply missed.
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Shriaz was, without a doubt, one of the most respected individuals that I have ever met in my entire life. He was the ultimate professional at work, a loving family man and one who still found a way to volunteer endless hours, upon hours, for his fellow man. Despite the years, he continues to be greatly missed. I say this with the ultimate conviction, Shiraz truly made this world a better place.
Very nice pictures. May his soul rest in eternal peace Ameen
Salim Kanji: Amazing doors – wish I knew the story behind each door. Absolutely beautiful.
Nazlin Virji: Beautiful👍
Abdul Khakoo: Inna Illahi wa Inna Illayhi Raji’oun. May Shiraz’s soul rest in eternal peace, Ameen.
Very nice pictures. I recognize some doors at Alhambra, remnants of the Moorish Empire of Al Andalusia which lasted up until the Spanish Inquisition in the 16th century. It has lasting impact up until now.
Awesome collection – we still miss Shiraz and dad, Anwar – two beautifully wise souls
Amazing photographs
Beautiful images …so tragic he died at 56.
Beautiful Photography of “DOORS” of Morocco, Spain and Portugal. We miss you Shilu. Rest in Peace.
What an eye and what a mind!
Wow, so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful pictures of the doors taken by a warm loving and a kind person who has left a beautiful legacy behind. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Tahera Virji.
Excellent photographs. Allah rest his soul in eternal peace. Ameen and Mushkil Asaan for family
May his soul rest in eternal peace 🙏
A marvellous collection, and what an idea to have taken photos of doors! I am pleased that you were able to post Shiraz’s photos, and to pay him a tribute with his photos. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his family always find strength to face his absence from this world. Ameen.
Beautiful photographs, a great feast to the eyes and very inspiring wanting me to visit each place.
Sad to learn about his demise at such a young age. May Mawla rest his soul in eternal peace, and give the family the strength to bear his loss. Aameen.
What lovely memories to leave behind forever. It’s motivating me to go visit these places.
May Shiraz’s soul rest in peace. 🙏🏼 Ameen
Wow what a magnificent photographic essay, a blessing you could retrieve this treasure trove! Bless you!!
I have no recollection of Shiraz or his parents, from back on the day era, I’m a Kampala guy too.
Heartfelt prayers for the departed souls & Mawlana Hazar Imam bless the family with immense Barakat in both domains. His Will in the occurrence of the cycle of life can not be be thwarted nor ever be questioned.
Shukhar that Allah blessed us with their good deeds, that are partly immortalised via these photographs…
Thank you.
Shiraz was a true gentleman and scholar. I remember him and the interactions with my wife when he was in the settlement Committee Chair. My wife Khatoon had set up evening classes for Afghan students which he backed her unreservedly. Several other chairs came after him but not of the same caliber. Alas Khatoon too has passed away. The legacy was one day an Afghan parent saw me at a mall and hugged me saying my child is admitted to U of A. To which I replied not me it was my wife.
The best I presume are wanted up there too.
Nur Murji