Exclusive: Beautiful photographs of Eid ul-Fitr celebrations at the Montreal Headquarters Jamatkhana

By MUSLIM HARJI

The gaiety of the beautiful Eid ul-Fitr celebrations on Friday, April 21, 2023, at Montreal’s Headquarters Jamatkhana has resulted in this spontaneous piece while I was applying some final touches to the second post of my special series on Cairo that commenced on this website earlier this week with Street Foods of Cairo. The editor happily accommodated my request when I excitedly called him up to tell him about the colourful and joyful photographs I had taken during the festive Muslim festival at the end of Ramadhan.

Several hours earlier, on the evening of Thursday, April 20, 2023, Ismailis around Canada and in many other parts of the world had observed the Chandraat Majlis, a special gathering held monthly on the night of the new moon. The Chandraat was originally established by the 48th Ismaili Imam, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah (d. 1957), His Highness the Aga Khan III, and the tradition continues to this day with the recitations of Salwaat and the Tasbi of Bibi Fatima, which according to numerous traditions, was a set of prayers that the Prophet Muhammad (salla’l-lahu alayhi wa-aal-hi wa-sallam) had taught to his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatimat-az-Zahra Khātun-i-Jannat (alayha-s-salam).

The late Imam had sent a message of blessings to the Ismailis that the night of Chandraat would bring with it spiritual peace and happiness. Ismailis treat this blessing of the late Imam with profound reflection, and seek to find that blessing of peace and happiness from the Imam-of-the-Time.

The two Chandraats, 4 weeks apart, to commence and end the month of Ramadhan are very meaningful. The first Chnadraat sets the tone for the month ahead — of solemn reflection, special prayers and fasting as well as the observation of the Night of Power (or Laylat al-Qadr), the night on which the Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation. Then, after a month of fasting, the second Chandraat brings with it the most joyous of all Islamic festivals — the Eid ul-Fitr.

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And I have to say, the Montreal Ismailis at the Headquarters Jamatkhana celebrated the 2023 Eid ul-Fitr in style — it was one of the most colourful celebrations I have seen in a long time, especially after 3 years of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Of course, during the Eid prayers, we were reminded of the difficulties the Jamats and humanity at large face in numerous countries of confilct and political unrest. Special prayers were offered for peace, the Jamats’ strength and resilience as well as for the souls of all deceased members of our families.

Here then are the photographs of the joyous Eid ul-Fir festivity at the Headquarters Jamatkhana. Enjoy and share your feedback at the end of the article.

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Date posted: April 22, 2023.

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Photographer Muslim Harji and his wife Nevin live happily in Montreal, where, over the last 40 years, they have raised two children and run a successful business. Upon retirement in 2004, Muslim and Nevin truly started to explore the world. All told, together and individually, they have visited more than 45 countries around the globe, experiencing the beauty of the Middle East, the exoticism of Asia and the wonders of South America. Kayaking the Magellan Straights, exploring Palmyra by camel, hiking up to Alamut Fort in Iran or travelling by overnight train in India, Nevin and Muslim have always favoured unique ways of experiencing the countries they visit and plan to continue fostering their love for travelling the world.

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