Compiled and prepared by ABDULMALIK MERCHANT
(Editor Barakah, Simerg and Simergphotos)
A colourful post celebrating the Aga Khan’s recent visit to India became extremely popular with readers on this blog. The colours of India are truly vibrant, and as the visit progressed we were particularly delighted by the beauty and variety of flower bouquets that were presented to Mawlana Hazar Imam. In one instance, in a video that we watched, Hazar Imam already had 2 bouquets in his arms, when a 3rd one was about to be presented! Someone then stepped in at the right moment, and gathered the first 2 bouquets!
We searched about the significance of flowers as a welcome gesture in Indian culture, and one website offered the following explanation:
“A flower not only symbolizes freshness but is also a gesture of goodwill. It symbolizes the sweet and enduring memories of the visit between the host and the guest that stay with them for several days. Offering fresh fragrant flowers or flower garlands (malas or haras) is part of welcome. It is a gesture of good will and honour.” — excerpt from legacyofwisdom.blogspot.com.
So enjoy these photos of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, being presented with flowers since the commencement of his Diamond Jubilee, either on his arrival or departure at various locations around the world. Watching photos of children presenting flowers in Uganda, Tanzania, Pakistan and, most recently, Kenya has been a SPECIAL joy!
FLOWERS FOR MAWLANA HAZAR IMAM
UGANDA
October 2017: Mawlana Hazar Imam is presented a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival in Uganda. Photo: The.Ismaili Rafiq Hakim.
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TANZANIA
October 2017: Mawlana Hazar Imam greeted upon his arrival by Junior Volunteers in the Ismaili Volunteers Corps from Tanzania. Photo: The Ismaili/Zahur Ramji.
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PAKISTAN
December 2017: Young children waiting to present bouquets to Mawlana Hazar Imam Photo: The Ismaili/Akbar Hakim.
Mawlana Hazar Imam in conversation with Pakistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Khawaja Asif, State Minister for Capital Administration & Development Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Mayor of Islamabad Sheikh Ansar Aziz, while two young children shown in the previous photo prepare to greet him and Princess Zahra with flower bouquets. Photo: The Ismaili.
December 2017: A young boy presents a bouquet to Mawlana Hazar Imam inside the airport terminal building in Islamabad. Photo: The Ismaili (from video).
December 2017: Mawlana Hazar Imam receives a bouquet of flowers upon arrival at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the official residence of the President of Pakistan, who is seen at extreme right. Photo: The Ismaili/Akbar Hakim.
December 2017: Princess Zahra is presented with a bouquet of flowers upon arrival at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. Photo: The Ismaili/ Akbar Hakim.
December 2017: Mawlana Hazar Imam is presented with a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival at the Gilgit airport Kamran Baig.
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INDIA
February 2018: Mawlana Hazar Imam meets with Shri. Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Photo: AKDN/Nazim Lokhandwala.
February 2018: President of the Ismaili Council for Western India Aslam Lilani and his wife welcome Mawlana Hazar Imam with a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival in Mumbai. Photo: AKDN/Aziz Ajaney.
February 2018: Wow! Dr Shailendra Kumar Joshi, Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana, welcomes Mawlana Hazar Imam. Photo: AKDN/Jalaluddin Bhanvadiya.
February 2018: Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana Shri Mohammed Mahmood Ali, presents Mawlana Hazar Imam with a bouquet. Photo: AKDN/Jalaluddin Bhanvadiya.
February 2018: Mawlana Hazar Imam is greeted by Jamati leaders upon his arrival in Hyderabad during his Diamond Jubilee visit to India. Photo: AKDN/Nuruddin Sarfani.
February 2018: Mawlana Hazar Imam is greeted by Deputy Chief Minister Mr Mohammed Mahmood Ali upon his arrival in Hyderabad, as Telangana Chief Secretary Dr Shailendra Kumar Joshi (right) looks on. Photo: AKDN/Nuruddin Sarfani.
February 2018: Prof. Ram Shinde, Minister for Water Conservation and Protocol, Government of Maharashtra, wishes bon voyage to Mawlana Hazar Imam. Photo: AKDN/Shamsh Maredia.
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USA
March 2018: Beautiful flower arrangements around Mawlana Hazar Imam as he receives a state welcome in Atlanta, Georgia to commence his Diamond Jubilee visit to the USA. Photo: The Ismaili/Zain Hansraj.
Mawlana Hazar Imam walks by beautiful flower arrangements upon his arrival at Houston where he was met at the airport by officials of the Texas Government. The flower arrangements in Houston appear to be similar to the one shown in the previous photo in Atlanta. Photo: The Ismaili/Farid Mithani.
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KENYA
Upon arriving in Nairobi on Thursday April 12, 2018, His Highness the Aga Khan is presented with a bouquet of flowers by a young member of the Ismaili Volunteer Corps. Photo: The Ismaili/Hussein Jiva.
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REFLECTION AS MAWLANA HAZAR IMAM GRACES JAMATS WORLD WIDE WITH DIDAR AND FARMANS
Sami ke gale me haar hai, heera manek jaddi ya,
Jis re bhave tan ku dete hai,
Saheb hai dil daariya…(ginan)
Mawlana Hazar Imam during his visit to London in 1979. Photo: Jehangir Merchant Collection.
Translation:
The beloved has a necklace of diamonds and pearls,
He showers these on whosoever he chooses
The beloved’s generosity knows no bounds.
Date posted: March 18, 2018.
Last updated: April 12, 2018 (Kenya arrival)
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Note: This website, Barakah, is a special project by http://www.Simerg.com and is dedicated to the textual and visual celebration of His Highness the Aga Khan as he celebrates his Diamond Jubilee or 60 years of Imamat.
Nothing but the best of flowers for our beloved Imam. Flowers when presented to someone special are silent but their silence itself speaks volumes for those who understand this beautiful creation of ALLAH.
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Ismailis all over the world are anxiously looking forward for July 11, 2018 when Mawlana Hazaar Imam will visit Lisbon, Portugal, which will be culmination of Diamond Jubilee Celebration.
Barakah should check and inform readers well in time whether Ismailis from different parts of the world will be allowed to travel and participate in Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Lisbon.
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Beautiful photographs of Mowlana Hazar Imam showing flowers presented to him during his visit to India and other parts of the world on various occasions during his Diamond Jubilee celebration – by Ismailis and non-Ismailis alike. This shows the respect that non-Ismailis hold for Hazar Imam as well as love that Ismailis have for their Imam. This post is particularly refreshing.
Barakah is bringing us great moments of joy and we rejoice at seeing these photos. Thank you Barakah.
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