Malik Merchant, with bear spray and binoculars around his neck, holds onto the Adirondack (or Muskoka) red chairs at the Muleshoe Day Use Area, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), June 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant Collection / Simergphotos.
Over the years, since settling in Alberta in 2022, there has not been an instance during my trips to its national and provincial parks — alone or with family members and friends — when I have not thought of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III and Mawlana Shah Karim Aga Khan IV’s reflections on God’s beautiful creations in the form of mountains. forests, lakes, rivers, and the wildlife that inhabits them. The appreciation and enjoyment of the glories of nature were among the principles that Aga Khan III mentioned for a happy, rich and meaningful life.
His successor, Mawlana Shah Karim, observed this while among his Ismaili followers in mountainous settings in Gorno-Badakhshan. He said: “The Qur’an refers very often to nature as a reflection of Allah’s power of creation, and it says, look at the mountains, look at the rivers, look at the trees, look at the flowers, as evidence of Allah’s love for the people whom He has created. Today, I look at this environment, and I say to you, I believe Allah is smiling upon you, and may His smile always be upon you.” – His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, Rushan, Badakhshan, May 27, 1995.
In a setting of spectacular natural beauty, Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, addresses a large audience in Ishkashim, Badakhshan, May 27, 1995 Photograph: The Ismaili.
Most recently, Mawlana Shah Karim’s successor, Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Rahim al Hussaini Aga Khan V, visited Northern Pakistan and blessed hundreds of thousands of his followers with a Didar (lit. a glimpse) in beautiful mountainous settings. Referring to nature, he said it is God’s gift and that we should give thanks to Allah for the mountains, the sky, and the water. He asked the Jamat to remember Allah’s glory and make gratitude our way of being.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, among his people in Taus, Gilgit-Baltistan, in the mountains of Northern Pakistan, May 2026. Photograph: The Ismaili. In his recommendation, he asked the gathering to show gratitude to Allah for the wonderful nature around them.
As Mawlana Hazar Imam prepares to visit Calgary and give Didar to his Prairies Jamat on Friday, July 24, 2026, I have gathered beautiful photos from across Alberta in honour of his visit. The mountains may not be as high as those of the Karakoram Range in Pakistan, but what is most gratifying is that they are accessible on foot, by bicycle, by car, and on tour buses. The Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper National Park is regarded as among the most stunning drives in the world.
If you live in or are visiting Alberta this summer, make it a priority to take your family to these stunning locations. Explore the trails—there are many that range from easy to moderate difficulty. As Hazar Imam has often reminded us since becoming our 50th Imam, we should honour our bodies, a gift from God, by keeping them active. Enjoy the photos, and take your family to the majestic scenery in Alberta and British Columbia.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, on stage at the Didar Garamchashma in Lower Chitral, May 2026. Photograph: IPL / Akbar Hakim.
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Nature scenes from Alberta
Mount Rundle from the Lower Bankhead lookout point on the Lake Minnewanka Loop Drive, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Bow Lake, Icefields Parkway, en route to Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Grizzly bear at Storm Mountain Day Use Area, Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Flowers, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Rock Glacier, Kananaskis Trail (Hwy 40), Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Elk, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Fishing by the rapids on the Kananaskis River near the Widdow Maker Trail, Kananaskis Trail, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Mount Inglismaldie, one of several mountains surrounding Lake Minnewanka, on Minnewanka Loop Drive, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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A deer shares the road with motorists and cyclists as it crosses the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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A view from Grizzly Creek showing cyclists and motorists sharing the paved Kananaskis Trail (Highway 40). This route begins at Highway 1 on the north side and traverses the Highwood Pass and Highwood Junction before connecting to Highway 541, which leads toward Longview, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Grizzly bear crossing in front of my car on Kananaskis Trail (Hwy 40), Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos. Note: Picture taken through the windshield.
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Burnt forests from the wildfires of 2017, Waterton Lakes National Park, May 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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The historic Prince of Wales Hotel, overlooking Upper Waterton Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada, May 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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The beautiful Lundbreck Falls, Alberta, Canada. Formed by the Crowsnest River, the Falls are a good reminder of Niagara Falls in Ontario, May 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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An osprey protecting her chicks near the Lundbreck Falls, Alberta, Canada, May 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Mountain bluebird at the Badlands Amphitheatre in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada, May 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Bighorn sheep grazing on the slopes of the Norquay Lookout Point, overlooking Vermilion Lakes, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, May 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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A lone bison grazes in the Bison Paddock surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery at Waterton Lakes National Park, May 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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The stone pillar in front of the worn-out wooden panels marks the Continental Divide on Hwy 93 South. To the left is Banff National Park, Alberta (water flows eastward to the Atlantic Ocean), and to the right is Kootenay National Park, British Columbia (water flows westward to the Pacific Ocean), July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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An eagle perched high on a tree is focused on the waters of Vermilion Lakes, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, during a mild winter spell, January 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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A view of the Fairmont Lake Louise from the flat 4km round-trip Lakeshore Trail, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, May 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Bighorn sheep, Kananaskis Trail (Hwy 40), June 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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A stunning view of Lower Kananaskis Lake, from the Interlakes area, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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A black bear makes its way through fallen trees along the Akamina Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada, May 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Canoes on Upper Kananaskis Lake, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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A canoeist makes the most of a beautiful day on Two Jack Lake, with Rundle Mountain as the backdrop, Minnewanka Loop Drive, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Mountain sheep, also known as Bighorn sheep, at Kings Creek, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis Trail (Hwy 40), Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Setting sun casts a glow over mountain peaks behind Johnson Lake, Minnewanka Loop Drive, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Visitors in awe as they overlook stunning Peyto Lake from the newly built viewpoint (2021) on the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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The stunning Peyto Lake in its entirety, as seen from the viewpoint along the Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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An educational panel explaining the stunning colour of Peyto Lake, July 2026. Click on image for enlargement.
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Castle Mountain from the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), just past Johnston Canyon travelling west towards Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Close-up of Castle Mountain from Storm Mountain Day Use Area, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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A beautiful view of a freight train passing by the Storm Mountain Day Use Area, Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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A view of Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Rainbow observed at Vermilion Lakes on a day of rain and sunshine, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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Black bear feeding on dandelion by the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, June 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos. Note: Picture taken from vehicle.
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Canadian geese on an icy block on Lake Louise, with spring ice melt underway, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, May 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
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A view of Three Sisters from the Alpine Hostel, Canmore, Alberta, Canada, July 2026. Photograph: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
