Category Archive: His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan

Cairo’s Al-Azhar Park through the lens of Muslim Harji

In this special and exclusive second part of a 4-part series on Cairo and Egypt, Muslim Harji presents a selection of beautiful pictures of the Al-Azhar Park, originally a dumpsite for centuries until the vision of His Highness the Aga Khan transformed it to “Cairo’s green lung.”

Photos and Videos: Alberta’s Glenbow Ranch and Big Hill Springs Provincial Parks, and a Grizzly in Kananaskis Country

Malik Merchant continues to explore towns and wilderness areas close to Calgary, and is awed by the scenery and wildlife at two provincial parks as well as on the main corridor of Kananaskis Country, where he encounters a grizzly bear. He takes home with him photos and videos of the bear as birthday gifts to him!

Photo of the Day Inspired by a 1995 Quote of Mawlana Hazar Imam: On Land, in Water and in the Sky from Niagara Falls to Toronto’s 3 Aga Khan Projects

Animals, birds, people, flowers and trees as well as man made objects — they are all represented in this Photo of the Day feature in Simergphotos brought to you from Niagara Falls, Aga Khan Park and areas along the way

Mawlana Hazar Imam His Highness the Aga Khan, Made Navroz March 21, 2021, the Most Joyous Navroz in My Life, and I Will Tell You Why

Malik Merchant reflects on the Navroz 2021 Talika Mubarak of Mawlana Hazar Imam, and explains why March 21, 2021 was the most joyous day in his life

Beautiful Daytime Moon Photos at Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 3 Unique Projects — the Aga Khan Park, Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum

Exceptional photos of daytime moon on a clear bright sunny day at Toronto’s Aga Khan Park, the Ismaili Centre, and the Aga Khan Museum.

On a Perfect Valentine’s Day, the Aga Khan Park, the Ismaili Jamatkhana Dome and the Aga Khan Museum Come Even Closer to My Heart

By MALIK MERCHANTPublisher/Editor Simerg, Barakah and Simergphotos I couldn’t have asked for a better and happier February 14, 2021. I woke up very early to complete an exclusive photo piece of Mawlana Hazar Imam His Highness the… Continue reading

From Dawn to Dusk: Splendid Photos of Aga Khan Park, Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum in Mid-Winter! But Where is the Snow After THAT White Xmas?

Malik Merchant visits the Aga Khan Park in mid-January and comes away with an amazing and beautiful collection of photos taken from dawn to dusk.

Alone at Aga Khan Park on a Beautiful Full Moon Night

Malik Merchant spent the whole night at the Aga Khan Park enjoying the sight of the Full Moon on July 5, 2020. Here is his story and photos.

An inspiring walk through the Aga Khan Park in Toronto, in the midst of Covid-19 physical distancing

Story by MALIK MERCHANT Publisher-Editor Simergphotos,  Simerg, and Barakah with photographs by the author and SHAFIN JAMAL  A close-up of a tulip at the Aga Khan Park, Toronto. The tulip is seasonal, and blooms in… Continue reading

Iconic Photos: 50th Anniversary of Man’s First Landing on the Moon, and the Aga Khan Museum’s Festival on July 20-21, 2019 to Celebrate the Historic Moment

Every reader will be gripped and inspired by the iconic images and text that have been painstakingly gathered from NASA’s archives of Apollo 11’s voyage and landing of man on the moon on July 20, 1969. A must read and share post!

Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre Draw Thousands during Doors Open Event Held in Toronto on May 25-26, 2019

More than 8,000 visitors attended the Doors Open event at the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre on May 25-26, 2019. This post captures the event through a selection of photographs.

4 rare photos of His Highness the Aga Khan at Dar es Salaam’s Aga Khan Boys Secondary School

Introduced by ABDULMALIK MERCHANT This is a collection of 4 rare pictures from Dar es Salaam that (Alwaez) Ali Rajabali shared with me during my visit to Vancouver. They should be of immense… Continue reading

Spain’s architectural masterpieces: The Al Hambra Palace in Granada and the Great Mosque in Cordoba through the Lens of Muslim Harji

The Magnificent Alhambra Palace and the Mosque of Cordoba Through the Lens of Muslim Harji.

In photos: “Life of Jehangir” – Ismaili missionary, teacher and writer who rendered long and dedicated services to the Jamat and the Imam-of-the-Time

In Photos: “Life of Jehangir” – Ismaili Missionary, Teacher and Writer who rendered long and dedicated services to the Jamat and the Imam of the Time.

Photos from our 2017 posts: From the site of the 48th Ismaili Imam’s Bagamoyo landing to the Diamond Jubilee visits of the 49th Imam His Highness the Aga Khan

A collection of photos from posts published in Simerg, Barakah and Simergphotos during 2017.

Ismaili Jamat in Moscow Celebrates Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 80th Birthday with A Wonderful Cultural Show – Must See

Ismaili youth performing at Moscow concert against  a backdrop photo of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Tajikistan. Introduced by Abdulmalik Merchant The Luzhniki Sports Arena became the venue on December 11, 2016, for… Continue reading

33 Awesome Photos that Summarize Our 2016 Posts: From Historical Visits and Landmark Ceremonies of His Highness the Aga Khan to Fantastic Travelogues and Photo Essays

PREPARED BY ABDULMALIK MERCHANT (Publisher/editor — Simergphotos, simerg and barakah) (The photos on this page are representative of some thirty photo pieces that we published in 2016. The photos are not shown in… Continue reading

“Horses” by Gulgee: An Exceptional Gift to His Highness the Aga Khan for His Landmark 80th Birthday

Ismail Gulgee Ismail Gulgee (1926 – 2007) COMPILED AND ADAPTED BY ABDULMALIK MERCHANT Editor/publisher, http://www.simergphotos.com Ismail Gulgee was born in Peshawar, Pakistan, in 1926. Since his childhood, Gulgee’s heart was in the visual arts. He dabbled in… Continue reading

PBS Religion and Ethics Newsweekly 10 Minute Segment on His Highness the Aga Khan and Extended Interview Worth Revisits

Introduced by Abdulmalik Merchant WATCH 2 VERY INTERESTING VIDEOS IN WIDE FORMAT AND READ TRANSCRIPT With an Advisory Aboard consisting of distinguished educators and scholars representing different faiths, the Religion & Ethic Newsweekly… Continue reading

Special Coverage – with an Exclusive Transcript – of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Visit to the UAE for the 2016 Aga Khan Award for Architecture Ceremony

I. A Photo Summary of the Six Winning Projects BAIT UR ROUF MOSQUE, DHAKA, BANGLADESH Architect: Marina Tabassum A REFUGE FOR SPIRITUALITY IN URBAN DHAKA, SELECTED FOR ITS BEAUTIFUL USE OF NATURAL LIGHT.… Continue reading

Letters and Photographs of His Highness the Aga Khan from the Family Archives of the Late Mr. Frank Pattrick

ELECTRONIC IMAGES AND PHOTOGRAPHS CONTRIBUTED BY MS. LINDA BAXTER Mr. Frank Pattrick (d. 1991) with his wife Mrs. Doris Pattrick (d. 2002). Mr. Pattrick worked for His Highness the Aga Khan in Kenya… Continue reading

The Ismaili Jubilee Games’ Lantern is Welcomed to the Ismaili Centre and the Children’s Soccer Camp in Burnaby

BY ABDULMALIK MERCHANT Publisher-editor, Simergphotos and Simerg A boy proudly holds the Ismaili Jubilee Games lantern on Sunday, June 19, 2016, at the annual soccer camp which is being attended by 198 young… Continue reading

Photographs of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan at Parliament Hill by Jean-Marc Carisse

Photographs: Jean-Marc Carisse Text compilation: Abdulmalik Merchant, Editor, Simerg/Simergphotos His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, was warmly received by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau… Continue reading

Ismaili History in the Making: 49th Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, Visits Portugal and Introduces the First Five Senior Officials of the Imamat to Country’s President

Portugal’s President Marcelo Nuno Duarte Rebelo de Sousa receives Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, at the Palácio de Belém on May 11, 2016, during an official 2-day visit to the… Continue reading

A Former Standard 3 Ismaili Student of Aga Khan Primary School, Nairobi, Shares Memorable Photos of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 1966 Visit to School

INTRODUCED BY ABDULMALIK MERCHANT Publisher-Editor of Simerg, Simergphotos and Ismailitica Juby Sprake (maiden name Juby Alibhai) of Vancouver, British Columbia, was recently introduced to this photo blog. To our delight, within days of… Continue reading

Egyptian President Sisi’s Memorial Photo with African Heads of State and His Highness the Aga Khan

Please click on photo for enlargement Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C) takes a memorial photo with other heads of state and government and the participating delegations during the Africa 2016 Business for… Continue reading

Exclusive: Photos of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Visit to Pakistan by the Late Abdul M. Ismaily (“Papa Jaan”)

Editor’s Note: Our multi-part series of photos of His Highness the Aga Khan, Mawlana Hazar Imam, taken by the late Rai Abdul M. Ismaily (1926-1981), lovingly known as “Papa Jaan,” continues with this… Continue reading

Photos of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Visits to East Africa by Azhar Chaudhry

Editor’s Notes: Following the recent publication of historical photos taken by “Papa Jaan” in Hunza and Uganda during the early 1960’s, we are pleased to publish an important collection of photographs of His… Continue reading

Exclusive: Photos of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Visit to Uganda by the Late Abdul M. Ismaily (“Papa Jaan”)

Editor’s Note: Our multi-part series of photos of His Highness the Aga Khan, Mawlana Hazar Imam, taken by the late Abdul M. Ismaily, lovingly known as “Papa Jaan,” continues with this post containing… Continue reading

Exclusive: Photos of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 1960 Visit to Hunza by the Late Abdul M. Ismaily (“Papa Jaan”)

Editor’s note: The following exclusive photos of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Hunza were captured in 1960 by the late Abdul M. Ismaily, lovingly known as “Papa Jaan” by his family and friends,… Continue reading

Photos of Visits by Mawlana Hazar Imam and Prince Aly Khan to Mozambique in the late 1950’s

Date posted:  February 6, 2016. ________________ We welcome feedback/letters from our readers on the essay. Please use the Comments box which appears below. Your feedback may be edited for length and brevity, and… Continue reading

Photo Essay: Tajikistan Landscapes Through the Lens of Muslim Harji

A map of Tajikistan with surrounding countries. Among the places Muslim Harji visited with his wife, Nevin, during his adventurous and heart warming trip to Tajikistan were Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital, and the autonomous… Continue reading

A Historic Handshake Between Two Faith Leaders, His Highness the Aga Khan and Pope Benedict XVI

COMPILED AND PREPARED BY ABDULMALIK MERCHANT (Publisher-Editor http://www.simerg.com and http://www.simergphotos.com) As part of his famous Apostolic Journey to France in 2008, Pope Benedict XVI, on September 13, paid a visit to the “Institut De… Continue reading

A Memorable Photo Essay: The Travels and Accomplishments of His Highness the Aga Khan in 2015: (II) Canada, India and Greece

PREPARED AND COMPILED BY ABDULMALIK MERCHANT (Publisher-Editor, http://www.Simergphotos.com and http://www.Simerg.com) A beautiful panoramic photo of the Aga Khan Museum (left) and the Ismaili Centre (right), connected by  the all-season Aga Khan Park. The Museum… Continue reading

The 2015 Travels and Accomplishments of a Global Humanitarian and Spiritual Leader, His Highness the Aga Khan

GLIMPSES OF THE 49TH ISMAILI IMAM’S WORK From the Aga Khan University Convocations in East Africa to the Signing of Agreement to Establish the Seat of the Imamat in Portugal to the Opening of… Continue reading

His Highness the Aga Khan and the Ismailis

“Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Karim al Hussaini, His Highness Prince Aga Khan, in direct lineal descent from the Holy Prophet (s.a.s.) through Hazrat Mawlana Ali (a.s.) and Hazrat Bibi Fatima (a.s), is the… Continue reading

“Victorious Trudeau,” His Highness the Aga Khan and Yasmin Ratansi – Exclusive Photos By Jean-Marc Carisse

BY ABDULMALIK MERCHANT (Publisher-Editor Simergphotos and Simerg) “Victorious Trudeau” Justin Trudeau with wife Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau just as results from polling stations across the country confirmed a Liberal majority government. Photo: Jean-Marc Carisse. Copyright.… Continue reading

Photo Essay: The Beauty and Glory of Autumn Foliage in Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada’s Capital Region

BY MALIK MERCHANT (Publisher-Editor Simerg and Simergphotos) I couldn’t live (leave) without them — the blog(s) and the car! Each year, in October, I make it a point to visit Gatineau Park to… Continue reading

Prayer Houses of Badakhshan, Tajikistan, Through the Lens of Muslim Harji

Editor’s note: Montreal’s Muslim Harji, pictured above with Ismaili students in Khorogh, continues his special series on Central Asia with this special feature on Ismaili prayer houses in Badakhshan. Thousands of readers have… Continue reading

A Unique Video of the Signing Ceremony Establishing “Seat of the Ismaili Imamat” in Portugal

Editor’s note: We are pleased to offer our readers a link to an extraordinary footage shown on Portuguese Cable News Channel, SIC Noticias, of the signing ceremony that took place in Lisbon establishing… Continue reading

Photo Essay: Fabulous Photos of the Aga Khan Park and the Inauguration Ceremony

THE PATRON AND BUILDER Please click on photo(s) for enlargement THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY WITH PHOTOS OF THE AGA KHAN PARK ~~~~~~ COMPLETION AND CONNECTION “The Aga Khan Park now connects those buildings [the Aga… Continue reading

Photo Essay With Interview: Aga Khan Foundation’s Unique Global Development Exhibition on 18 Wheels

By Abdulmalik J. Merchant Publisher-Editor, Simergphotos and Simerg Development is ultimately about people, about enabling them to participate fully in the process and to make informed choices and decisions on their futures. –… Continue reading

Image of the Year: “The Ismaili Imamat is Unique”, Mawlana Hazar Imam Our Guide, Hope and Inspiration

Please click on http://www.simergphotos.com for wonderful photo essays

New Delhi’s Spectacular Islamic Heritage Through a Canadian Lens

Editor’s note: Intrepid traveller Muslim Harji never fails to have a trip of a lifetime wherever he goes. New Delhi, the Indian capital was no exception judging by the pictures that he has captured, which cover the… Continue reading

Simergphotos: Celebrating Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 78th Salgirah (Birthday) With a Rich Collection of Photos and Quotes

Compiled and Prepared by Malik Merchant Editor, Simergphotos and Simerg The images and quotes published below represent: Mawlana Hazar Imam’s family; the Imam’s affection and love for all his murids; the breadth and… Continue reading

A Collection of 48 (Plus 1) Memorable Images from the Life of the 48th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, His Highness the Aga Khan III

An exceptional collection of historical photographs of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah spanning 71 years of his Imamat

Photo Essay: The Ismaili Centre – “Peace Through Prayer” and “A Splendid Reality”

Editor’s note: Almost four weeks ago, on Friday September 12, 2014, the Prime Minister of Canada and His Highness the Aga Khan performed the official opening of the Ismaili Centre in Toronto. Simerg… Continue reading

Photos and Videos: Simerg Captures the Spirit of the Jamat on the Opening Day of the Ismaili Centre in Toronto, Canada

Jamat and Volunteers Speak from the Heart on this Auspicious and Historical Day BY MALIK MERCHANT Editor, Simerg and Simergphotos Happy Ismaili youth pictured at the Park at 10:30 pm after completing their… Continue reading

September 18, 2014: Opening Day of the Majestic new Aga Khan Museum

BY MALIK MERCHANT Editor, Simerg and Simergphotos Tanzanian Altaf Hirani (centre) with friends I was hoping to be at the new Aga Khan Museum in Toronto well before it opened to the public… Continue reading

September 12, 2014: The Official Opening of the Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum, a Reporter’s Glimpse

BY MALIK MERCHANT Editor, http://www.simergphotos.com Members of the media gathered at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre where they were briefed about the sequence of events for the official opening of the Ismaili Centre… Continue reading