A Special Visit to the Canadian Rockies on the Aga Khan’s 87th Birthday, December 13, 2023

Close-up of Castle Mountain from the Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta, December 13, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

By MALIK MERCHANT

Not far from where I live, I get a view of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta; the mountain range in the Kananaskis is around 75 kms away. On December 13, 2023, the skies in Calgary were sunny in the morning with some cloud cover and it was [+] 12C. I could see the mountains clearly. I felt happy, as I was among millions of Ismaili Muslims celebrating the 87th birthday of our 49th Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan. We affectionately and respectfully address him as Mawlana Hazar Imam (our lord, the present living Imam). The Ismaili Imamat is hereditary; 1,400 years ago the Aga Khan’s ancestor, Hazrat Ali (peace be upon him), the first Imam, was appointed by Divine Commandment, to continue the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him and his progeny) within the Muslim community.

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Salgirah Mubarak Aga Khan birthday greeting calligraphy
Salgirah Mubarak artwork celebrating Mawlana Hazar Imam His Highness the Aga Khan’s 87th birthday is based on a heptagonal (7-sided polygon) geometry. The centre contains “Shah Karim Imam-e-Zaman” in cursive script. Calligraphy and design by Karim Ismail, Toronto.

I thought of my late dad, Jehangir, who would have turned 95 were he alive today. Then, because I like music, Taylor Swift, Time magazine’s 2023 person of the year, came into my mind as her birthday is also on December 13. She is now 34.

The Aga Khan has said to his followers on many an occasion that he is always with us. One remark that struck me the most on the morning of his birthday, as I was watched the mountains, was from his Golden Jubilee visit to France when he said that no ocean, no desert, no mountain, can separate his Jamat (community) from him. This was the inspiration behind me making this specific trip to the mountains. I had to be back in time for the evening religious ceremonies in my Jamatkhana, so my time was tight but I made the most of it. For the first time ever — that I can remember — I drove without ever turning on the radio or listening to the music stored in my USB key. I also had my mobile on silent. However, whenever I stopped on the road I would quickly send pictures on my iPhone to my friends.

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The Bow Valley Parkway or Hwy 1A
Driving through the Bow Valley Parkway, northbound, towards Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, December 13, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

I accumulated dozens of messages from all over the world wishing me Salgirah Mubarak. I was overjoyed, knowing that the pictures I was taking were specifically taken for the birthday of His Highness. It was my personal celebration of my Imam’s birthday, whom I thought of throughout the day. I also thought of my late parents, my daughter, my family members and friends around the world.

Please enjoy the photographs, and I once again wish everyone Salgirah Mubarak.

Pilot Mountain
Spectacular sky colour at right of Pilot Mountain, 2,935 m (9,629 ft) on Hwy 1 between Banff and Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, December 13, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Ukrainian Memorial Bow Valley Parkway, Hwy 1a
A memorial to Ukrainians who were interned in Canada during WWI; Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta, December 13, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Bow River, Hwy 1a, Bow Valley Parkway, Simerg
A view of the partially snow-covered Bow River from Storm Mountain lookout, Banff National Park, Alberta, December 13, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Banff National Park, simergphotos, Malik merchant
A close-up of some peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park, Alberta, December 13, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Cloud covering at lower elevations of the Canadian Rockies, Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta, December 13, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Storm Mountain lookout
A view of the forest around the Bow River from Storm Mountain lookout on the Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta, December 13, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Storm Mountain Lookout, Bow Valley Parkway, Simerg Photos, Malik Merchant
Looking south, in the direction of Banff, from Storm Mountain lookout point on the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A). Much of the Bow River in this section is covered with snow, Banff National Park, Alberta, December 13, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Hwy 1 Hwy 1a bridge
An automobile bridge across the Bow River on road connecting Hwy 1 with Hwy 1A (or the Bow Valley Parkway), Banff National Park, Alberta, December 13, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Castle Mountain, Banff National Park, Bow River Simerg Photos
A view of Castle Mountain from Bow River, just below the auto bridge shown in the previous photo, Banff National Park, Alberta, December 13, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Storm Mountain lookout point, Banff National Park
Looking north, in the direction of Lake Louise, from Storm Mountain lookout point on the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), with views of the CN Railway track at right and the snow-covered Bow River at left, Banff National Park, Alberta, December 13, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Bow River from Storm Mountain viewpoint, Hwy 1a Malik Merchant simergphotos
Bow River close-up from Storm Mountain lookout, Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta, December 13, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

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Rundle Mountain
The iconic Mount Rundle, 2,948 m (9,672 ft), at sunset, Banff National Park, Alberta, December 13, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

Date posted: December 14, 2023.

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