Dushanbe’s Ismaili Centre Through the Lens of Muslim Harji

Editor’s note: Muslim Harji’s series on Central Asia continues with a superb collection of photos of Dushanbe’s Ismaili Centre, which was inaugurated on October 12, 2009 by His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, President of… 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

An Anthology of the Silk Road Through the Lens of Muslim Harji and Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival

Editor’s note: In this third part of a special photo series, Muslim Harji of Montreal focuses on Uzbekistan, with some stunning photos of Islamic buildings in the Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara,… Continue reading

An Ismaili Wedding in the Pamirs Through My Lens by Muslim Harji

Editor’s note: Our remarkable series of portraits from Badakhshan through the lens of (Montreal’s) Muslim Harji continues with this Part II exclusively dedicated to an Ismaili wedding in a small village in the Pamirs that… Continue reading

The Ismailis of Badakhshan Through My Lens by Muslim Harji

The First Part in a Special Series on Badakhshan and Central Asia STORY AND PHOTOS BY MUSLIM HARJI (Special to Simerg and Simergphotos) An eighteen hour ride from Dushanbe to Khorog needs a… Continue reading

For 2015 Ottawa Doors Open, Simerg Visits 2 Muslim Centres, the Algerian Embassy and the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat

BY ABDULMALIK J. MERCHANT A fortnight ago, during the weekend of May 23-24th, 2015, the city of Toronto hosted its 16th Annual Doors Open allowing thousands of Toronto residents and visitors to explore… 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

Photo Essay: Working Behind the Scenes – The Exceptional Work of Ismaili Volunteers During a Jamati Feast (‘Jaman’)

PHOTOS BY MUSLIM HARJI Photographer Muslim Harji, centre. Editor’s note: During cultural or religious celebrations such as the Iranian New Year (Navroz) on March 21, Mawlana Hazar Imam’s accession to the throne of Imamat on July… Continue reading

Exclusive Photo Essay: 2015 Navroz Celebrations in Montreal

Photo: Muslim Harji Editor’s note: Montreal, Quebec, has by far the largest population of Ismailis from Afghanistan of any city in the Western world. Numbering in their thousands, one is often left wondering on major… Continue reading

Islam and the Muslim World: An Interesting Collection of Prints, Photographs and Images at the US Library of Congress

I. THE ROTUNDA: GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS TO CIVILIZATION ~~~~~~~~ II. PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS His Highness the Aga Khan ~~~~~~~~ Kedive of Egypt ~~~~~~~~ British Propaganda ~~~~~~~~ A Tajik Wedding Ritual ~~~~~~~~ Gracious Uzbek Lady… 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: Two Great Canadian Prime Ministers, Mackenzie King and Lester B. Pearson, Feature in Simerg’s Peep into Gatineau Park’s Autumn Foliage

By Malik Merchant Pink Lake, Gatineau Park. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simerg A city with almost a million people has a magnificent nature park in its vicinity with some of the most spectacular foliage that… Continue reading

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

Photo Essay: Stunning Photos of North America’s First Ismaili Centre and Jamatkhana as the Second Ismaili Centre in Toronto is Set for an Official Opening Ceremony on September 12, 2014

Editor’s note: Mohib Ebrahim, the founding publisher and editor of Nanowisdoms, recently visited the first North American purpose built high profile Ismaili Centre and Jamatkhana located in Burnaby, British Columbia, and came away… Continue reading

My 2014 World Cup Adventure in Brazil – A Dream Come True!

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

Two Unique 1957 Portraits of His Highness the Aga Khan by Photographer Sarfraz Sadaruddin

Editor’s note: Allison Wallace of Australia recently shared with us photos of His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to the Aga Khan Primary School, Nairobi, (see link at bottom of this page), which… Continue reading

(Irresistible) Street Foods of South East Asia Through My Lens by Muslim Harji

Editor’s note: Intrepid globetrotter Muslim Harji of Montreal had a trip of a lifetime when he recently visited Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). Earlier we published a photo essay about… Continue reading

My Late Mother, Jean Kirk, and Her Special Collection of Rare Photos of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Visits to the Aga Khan Primary School in Nairobi

Special to Simerg By ALLISON WALLACEPerth, Australia Introduction My mother, Jean Kirk, was born in London in 1928 and died in Tasmania in early January 2014. She lived in London until 1956 when… Continue reading

Photo Essay: The Ismaili Jamatkhana in Myanmar, With Notes on the Community’s Patriotic Spirit

Editor’s note: This post is an amalgamation of selected photos of the Ismaili jamatkhana in Rangoon taken by Muslim Harji of Montreal Canada during his recent visit to Burma (now Myanmar) with photos and text produced in an… Continue reading

A Very Beautiful Photo Book by Prince Hussain Aga Khan at a Very Special Price: The Hardback Edition of “Animal Voyage”

Note: Please refresh page if your browser displays overlapping photos/text. “Animal Voyage” by Prince Hussain Aga Khan, originally available as a paperback, has been re-introduced as a hardback edition. Both Simergphotos.com and its… Continue reading

“Ba Shokouh” – The Magnificent Ismaili Centre in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

PHOTOS AND TEXT BY FNDA ARCHITECTURE INC. Special to Simergphotos and Simerg Note: Please refresh page if your browser displays overlapping photos/text. THE FOUNDATION CEREMONY August 30, 2003 “Today’s ceremony represents a milestone in the… Continue reading

His Highness the Aga Khan’s Historic Visit to the Parliament of Canada: A Collection of Photos and Speech Excerpts

“As we all know, Canada is home to a well-established and fast-growing Ismaili community. His Highness has therefore become an increasingly frequent visitor, and always a welcome one.” — Prime Minister Stephen Harper… Continue reading

Historical Images: H. H. The Aga Khan Primary School Nairobi – A Rare Image of a 1963 Prize Giving Programme

We were informed by Ms. Allison Wallace of Australia  that her mother, Mrs. Jean Kirk, who was the principal of the Aga Khan Primary School in Nairobi during 1963 passed away recently. Allison’s note to… Continue reading

Historical Images: The 48th Ismaili Imam’s “Never-to-be-Forgotten” Message to Ismaili Youth

“KEEP CLEAN SOUL IN A CLEAN BODY” Transcript (unedited) “To My Spiritual children taking part in The Rally Blessings and Welcome – I am sorry my health does not permit me to be with… Continue reading

Photo Essay: Ismailis in China

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE PUBLISHER Thursday, May 15, 2014 The rich history and literary traditions of the Ismaili community in China have been inadequately studied in modern times, and so it was a… Continue reading

Photo Essay: The Robben Island Prison Through My Lens by Muslim and Ayesha Harji

Editor’s note: As we have seen in earlier posts, Muslim Harji’s journeys have taken him far and wide around the world. His photos of Jesusalem, Iran, the Street Foods of India, the Dubai Ismaili… Continue reading

The Magnificent Aga Khan University, its Symbolic Logo and the Elegant Jamiapoash Worn by His Highness the Aga Khan for the University’s Convocation

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

Glimpses from the 2013 Aga Khan University Convocation, with a Summary of Seven Key Themes in His Highness the Aga Khan’s Address

Compiled and Prepared by Abdulmalik Merchant (Publisher-Editor, Simergphotos and Simerg) 1. SUCCESS STORY: THE CONSTITUENTS WHO MAKE IT HAPPEN “I am delighted, first of all, to extend my warmest congratulations to our graduands and to… Continue reading

Photos from Karim Master’s Original Copy of “Fidai” Magazine Published in 1936 to Commemorate the Golden Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan

INTRODUCED BY ABDULMALIK MERCHANT Publisher-Editor Simergphotos and Simerg NOTE TO ALL READERS: On some browsers, some images may appear as thumb-nails. To resolve this, please refresh page. Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga… Continue reading

Stunning 360° Panoramas Featuring the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat Building by Martin Bloomfield

Introduced by Malik Merchant Publisher-Editor, Simergphotos and Simerg Born in Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom, Martin Bloomfield, a designer photographer and an expert in 3D animation has travelled the world over, and now lives with his family in Dar-es-Salaam,… Continue reading

Photo Essay: Celebrating Sussex Drive, His Highness the Aga Khan and, Five Years on, the Crystalline Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat Building

Compiled and prepared by Malik Merchant Editor, Simergphotos INTRODUCTION: Sussex Drive with some other connecting streets in the National Capital Region, makes up what is known as the Confederation Boulevard or the “ceremonial and discovery route”.  In… Continue reading

Photo Essay: Remembering President John F. Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963)

On November 22, 1963, when he was hardly past his first thousand days in office, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was killed by an assassin’s bullets as his motorcade wound through Dallas, Texas. Kennedy was… Continue reading

Photo Essay: Chitral Through the Lens of an Eye Surgeon

INTRODUCTION Armed with a special magnifying lens, some surgical equipment and plenty of courage and faith, Badrudin Kurwa set out on a mission to restore sight to people blinded by cataracts in a remote corner… Continue reading

Exclusive: Architect’s Statement and Photos of the Fabulous New Ottawa Jamatkhana

Editor’s note:  A month ago, the day following the opening of the new Ottawa Jamatkhana located at 3225 Conroy Road, K1G 3N4, on Friday July 19, 2013, we published a photo essay – please click Ismaili Muslims… Continue reading

Historical Images: The Cave of Hira, the Place of the First Revelation of the Holy Qur’an

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

Photo Essay: Ismaili Muslims Open a Beautiful New Jamatkhana in Canada’s Capital

BY MALIK MERCHANT Publisher-Editor, http://www.simergphotos.com and http://www.simerg.com Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is a niche wherein is a lamp — the lamp is in… Continue reading

For 56th Imamat Anniversary, Magnificent and Unique Historical Portraits of His Highness the Aga Khan

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

Photo Essay: A Glimpse of the 56th Imamat Day Celebrations at the Toronto International Centre

Text and photos by Malik Merchant Thousands of Ismailis gathered at the Toronto International Centre on Sunday June 30, 2013 to celebrate His Highness the Aga Khan’s ascension to the throne of Imamat. Mawlana Hazar… Continue reading

Happy Canada Day 2013: The Celebration of Literacy at Rideau Hall; and His Highness the Aga Khan’s Fondness for Canada

THE LAUNCH OF STORYTIME AT RIDEAU HALL A traditional custom around Canada Day is the launch of Storytime at Rideau Hall, the residence of the Governor General of Canada, which is located just across… Continue reading

Photo Essay: A 9 Year Old Ismaili Boy’s First Steps of Becoming an Astronaut

Qayl’s Inspiring Encounters with Great Astronauts Qayl Azeem Maherali pictured as an astronaut when he was 6. Photo: Qayl’s Collection © Copyright. The picture above was taken three years ago. I am 9… Continue reading

Historical Photo Essay: The Ismaili Connection with the Town of Amir Pir in Sindh, Pakistan

Text by: Gulshan Chunara Photos by: Salina Hasan The Pivotal Role of the 46th Ismaili Imam, Shah Hasan Ali Shah, Aga Khan I This vintage engraving depicts the portrait of Aga Khan I… Continue reading

Photo Essay: The Aga Khan Foundation World Partnership Walk in Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada, on June 9 2013

Neighbouring Cities Show Passion and Enthusiasm for Improving Humanity From a distant, Waterloo Square, 75 King Street  in Waterloo, Canada, site of the World Partnership Walk for the past 3 years. Several hundred people from the… Continue reading