Simergphotos showcases stunning photographs of the seven Ismaili Centers, captured by architectural photographer Salina Kassam. Her work, printed on cotton paper, is included in the permanent art collection at the new Ismaili Center in Houston, which was inaugurated by His Highness the Aga Khan and Mayor John Whitmire on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
A big surprise awaits Malik Merchant as he discovers a Lodge in Longview, Alberta, that offers an extraordinary and unique stay! Read his glamping story, and enjoy all that the province of Alberta provides to its residents and visitors from around the world.
Malik Merchant captures the beautiful spirit of the World Partnership Walk held for residents of Generations Calgary. He was fascinated by the enthusiasm of the walkers, most of whom were on wheelchairs and walked with the aid of walkers.
It was an amazing and inspiring day at the MGH Care Centre in Calgary, as the Fanoos was introduced to the residents and seniors living in Multigenerational Housing in the Skyview Ranch neighbourhood.
Based on recommendations, Malik Merchant visits the tiny Quarry Lake near Canmore. He is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, reflected in the lake’s calm waters. A rare blue heron shows up at the lake to wish him a happy birthday!
The theme for the 2023 Global Ismaili CIVIC weekend was Environmental Stewardship. From clean energy to conservation, Ismaili Muslims engaged on the ground in efforts to help save and protect our precious planet. In Calgary, a group of Ismaili Civic Day volunteers helped to remove 115 invasive plants from Weaselhead Park. Simergphotos presents story and photographs of a successful day!
After months of pondering, Malik Merchant makes his way to Drumheller and is thrilled with his outddor experience at the Badlands Amphitheatre and driving through the Dinosaur Trail!
Malik Merchant attends Calgary’s 26th Ismaili Stampede Breakfast and is totally surprised with the presence of so many political heavyweights. Read his story and photographs.
Malik Merchant’s photographs of nature and wildlife at Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, are as stunning as they are inspiring. See them and share them and if you visit Canada take a few days to visit this incredible National Park.
An informative photo essay by Malik Mirza on the mausoleum of Pir Shams in Multan, Pakistan. A MUST READ AND SHARE.
Amazing photography by youth for you to see at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto until September 15, 2019. These are wonderful photos that display the vision of the youth who participated in a photography workshop during the summer. If you are in Toronto, you must visit this exhibition. It will inspire everyone!
Editor’s note: Inspired by the message of His Highness the Aga Khan on the important role that individuals can play to drive progress and positive change, a team of dedicated Ismaili educators established… Continue reading
BY RAHIM KHOJA Head banners forming the Brazilian flag in the Pelourinho district in Salvador, Bahia.Photo: Rahim Khoja Ten years ago I was travelling to Portugal and when I arrived, the Euro Cup… Continue reading
THE AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY When the Charter of the University was first granted in 1983, His Highness the Aga Khan concluded his speech on the occasion with the words, “In everything we do… Continue reading
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s) received his first revelation from Allah through Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) in the Hira cave which is on Jabl al Nur (Mount of Light) shown in this photo. The peak is visible… Continue reading
Compiled by Malik Merchant (Publisher-Editor, Simergphotos) A UNIQUE PORTRAIT OF MAWLANA HAZAR IMAM, HIS HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN THE WILL OF IMAM MAWLANA SULTAN MAHOMED SHAH, THE 48TH IMAM Ever since the time… Continue reading
Introduced by Malik Merchant Publisher-Editor, Simergphotos.com and Simerg.com After viewing a collection of Muslim Harjis’s photos of India’s street foods, I was not surprised to read in Via Rail’s latest issue of Destinations magazine that Vikram Vij, the… Continue reading
Compiled by Malik Merchant, Editor Customs of welcoming a new baby vary around the world. This photo essay looks at the cultural traditions around birth in a rural community in Indonesia (pink shade, map below), the… Continue reading
Compiled by Malik Merchant Editor, Simergphotos.com and Simerg.com THE EVERLIVING DIVINE INSTITUTION OF IMAMAT INTRODUCTION: Clause G of the “Preamble of the Ismaili Constitution” ordained on December 13, 1986 by the 49th and… Continue reading
By Malik Merchant, Editor One would think that Gerald Ferreira of 3d Car Shows would only focus on cars. Only my love for cars and what Ferreira’s website represents would take me there, but yesterday I… Continue reading
TANZANIA’S NGORONGORO CRATER, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK AND OLDUVAI GORGE Images clickable for enlargement Three striking and important areas of Tanzania in eastern Africa are shown in this color-coded shaded relief image from the Shuttle… Continue reading
BY ELIA BADRUDIN Salaam , al Salaam, O salaam to all of humanity, Peace al Salamiyeh , KNOW that Peace will be again. the heavens will smile on you again. all humanity which… Continue reading
BY KHIZAR HAYAT “…Indeed, the scout movement has forever embodied amongst the noblest of human aspirations amongst the most admirable of the qualities of the human heart – courage with self-sacrifice, independence with… Continue reading
AN INTRODUCTION TO NAAD-E-ALI* By HUSSEIN RASHID Who is the Ali, the universal hero of Islam? The last of those who are known as the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the greatness of Imam Ali (a.s)… Continue reading
Editor’s note: During the short 4 month period since its launch in September 2012, Simergphotos has published over twenty remarkable photo stories as well as historical images. A few of the published photo essays have been… Continue reading
Compiled by Malik Merchant, Editor (On some browsers, please refresh page if only thumbnails appear) I. 1885: Enthronement at Age Seven as 48th Ismaili Imam November 2, 2015, marks the 138th birth anniversary of… Continue reading
PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY (President from 1961 – 1963) ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ A MEMORANDUM PREPARED FOR PRESIDENT KENNEDY PRIOR TO HIS MEETING WITH HIS HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN ~~~~ ~~~~ WATCH A SHORT… Continue reading
BY SHARIFFA KESHAVJEE When I was a little girl, one of my favourite pastimes was to be in the presence of adult company. As the youngest in the family I was too often… Continue reading
By MALIK MIRZA THE JOURNEY BEGINS While I was on a training assignment related to micro-finance in Bahawalpur, a thought came across my mind: Why not visit the mausoleums of our ancient Pirs,… Continue reading
By Malik Merchant “…Your gift of this unique volume, which was prepared by your father, Alwaez Karim Pirani, and which contains articles and drawings by numerous Ismaili individuals as well as messages of… Continue reading
