Photographs and Stories of Travel and Special Events in Canada and Around the World
Ismailis at Multi Generational Care Centre first to experience the Fanoos in Calgary
The Fanoos, a luminous symbol of unity and cultural celebration, arrives as part of its global journey across 250+ cities for the Global Encounters Festival 2025. Rooted in tradition and reimagined as a beacon of hope, the Fanoos invites us to reflect on our shared humanity — Al-Akhbar Newsletter, Canada.
A beautiful photograph as MGH Care Centre — Generations — Jamatkhana leaders (R to L) Mukhi Bashir Somani, Mukhiani Yasmin Somani, Kamadiani Hamida Alibhai and Kamadia Allaudin Alibhai take a photo with the Fanoos, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
The Multi-Generational Care Centre in Calgary, a fantastic building with an interior full of inspirational artwork, hosted the arrival of the Fanoos (lantern) on Saturday, May 31, 2025. I was privileged to attend the event with many other members of the Ismaili community, from the very young to the seniors who live at the Care Centre and in the independent seniors building right across. Many were in wheelchairs and walkers, and their faces lit up as the Fanoos was passed around. Everyone was given an opportunity to hold it, even for a second or two. The sight of their joy was genuinely inspirational. Here is a selection of photos from the event in Calgary as the Fanoos makes its way across the provinces in Canada. Thank you, MGH residents, and everyone who attended the event, for making this morning’s event so beautiful. The youth, with their continuous chorus of hand-clapping, played a significant role in making the event even more exciting, thrilling and joyous.
Children sing devotional songs as MGH Care Centre residents await the arrival of the Fanoos, May 31. 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Calgary team members in front of a banner in the rotunda of the MGH Care Centre, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Fatima Shariff (right), Canada lead for Global Encounters, with the MGH Care Centre — Generations — Mukhi Bashir Somani, Mukhiani Yasmin Somani, Kamadia Allaudin Alibhai and Kamadiani Hamida Alibhai, as they hold the Fanoos before it is introduced to the seniors and residents of Multi Generational Housing (MGH) Care Centre, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Team Canada members from Calgary follow the MGH — Generations — Jamatkhana leadership into the social hall where MGH Care residents were introduced to the Fanoos, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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The MGH Jamatkhana leadership, with Team Canada, introduce the Fanoos to MGH Care residents and seniors, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Salimah Kassam, the event emcee, describes the significance of the Fanoos and the upcoming Global Encounters in Dubai, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Fatima Shariff introduces two Calgary youth who will be representing Canada in the Global Encounters Games in July in Dubai, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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MGH Care Centre resident was among many who were given the opportunity to hold the Fanoos, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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The Fanoos was passed from one resident to the next in an orderly fashion, lighting the faces of everyone who lives in the MGH Care Centre and attended the event, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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MGH Care Centre resident was among many who were given the opportunity to hold the Fanoos, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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MGH Care Centre resident was among many who were given the opportunity to hold the Fanoos, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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MGH Care Centre resident was among many who were given the opportunity to hold the Fanoos, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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A view of the main hall at the MGH Care Centre that leads to an accompanying hallway where residents gather for an opportunity to hold the Fanoos, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant/ Simergphotos.
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A view of the main hall at the MGH Care Centre where residents gathered for an opportunity to hold the Fanoos, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant/ Simergphotos.
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Shokur Karimi and his family were among many who took the opportunity to take photos alongside the Fanoos, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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The Mukhi, Kamadia, Mukhiani and Kamadiani of Generations Jamatkhana with residents of the Ismaili seniors building, which is across from the MGH Care Centre, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Malik Merchant, editor and publisher of Simergphotos, Barakah and Simerg, and author of this piece, holds the Fanoos in the company of the Mukhi, Kamadia, Mukhiani and Kamadiani of MGH Care Centre — Generations — Jamatkhana, May 31, 2025. Photograph: Simergphotos.
Date posted: May 31, 2025.
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One thought on “Ismailis at Multi Generational Care Centre first to experience the Fanoos in Calgary”
B. Lakhani on said:
Your pictures and descriptions are great. I always read Simergphotos. May Almighty Mowla keep you safe, happy and give you lots of love, peace, happinessand prosperity …………Ameen Bahadurali Lakhani
Your pictures and descriptions are great. I always read Simergphotos. May Almighty Mowla keep you safe, happy and give you lots of love, peace, happinessand prosperity …………Ameen Bahadurali Lakhani