“Every year, the AKDN touches the lives of over 7.5 million Kenyans directly and 4 million indirectly. The visit to Kenya marks the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee— 60 years since his accession to his role of spiritual leadership, and is part of a year-long celebration which commenced on July 11, 2017. The Diamond Jubilee celebrations represent both a recognition of the Aga Khan’s work over the last 60 years and an opportunity to launch new initiatives” — Excerpts from Daily Nation report, Friday, April 13, 2018.
Prepared and compiled by ABDULMALIK MERCHANT
with special coverage by ZAFEERA KASAAM and TAZMINA KASSAM
The purpose of this post is to provide external links as well as special reports and photos prepared for Barakah on Mawlana Hazar Imam’s current Diamond Jubilee visit to Kenya.
Mawlana Hazar Imam waves to members and leaders of the Jamat upon his arrival in Nairobi. Walking with him are President Nawaaz Gulam of the Aga Khan Council for Kenya (left) and Monica Juma, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, with Azim Lakhani, the Diplomatic Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network in Kenya following immediately behind. Photo: The Ismaili/Hussein Jiva.
Most recently, we provided coverage of His Highness the Aga Khan’s visits to the USA and India, and in an earlier must read post Barakah covered his travels to 7 countries that he undertook between July 11, 2017 to January 31, 2018 clocking at least 80,000 kms.
Barakah: Coverage of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee Visit to Kenya
Aga Khan Departs Kenya
Nawaaz Gulam, President of the Aga Khan Ismaili Council for Kenya, bids farewell to Mawlana Hazar Imam. Photo: Zafrani Mansurali.
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Mawlana Hazar Imam grants Darbar
Mawlana Hazar Imam addresses the Jamat during the Diamond Jubilee Darbar in Nairobi. Photo: The Ismaili/Aziz Islamshah.
- Exclusive article in Barakah: An inspiring and moving account of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Diamond Jubilee Darbar in Nairobi
- Report and photos in The Ismaili: Mawlana Hazar Imam grants Darbar before departing Kenya (includes departure photos)
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Aga Khan meets President Uhuru Kenyatta
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MEDIA REPORTS
![KFKP6584[1]](https://barakahweb.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/kfkp65841.jpg?w=1200)
His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta meets with His Highness the Aga Khan at the State House in Nairobi.
- State House Communique on the official visit to Kenya by His Highness the Aga Khan – Hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims during his Diamond Jubilee Nairobi 13th April, 2018
- Report and photos in The Ismaili: President Kenyatta welcomes Mawlana Hazar Imam at the State House
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Aga Khan Arrives
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, arrived in Nairobi on Thursday April 12, 2018 to commence his Diamond Jubilee visit. He plane landed at 5:27 PM local time.
His Highness the Aga Khan waves to his well-wishers from his car after his arrival at Nairobi airport.
MEDIA REPORTS
An image from a special multi-sheet coverage in the Daily Nation for His Highness the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee visit to Kenya.
- Report and photos in the Daily Nation: The Aga Khan visits Kenya as he marks his Diamond Jubilee
- Report and photos in Citizen: Aga Khan arrives in Nairobi for Diamond Jubilee
- Report and photos in The Ismaili: Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in 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, via Facebook.
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AGA KHAN LANDS: VIDEO BY ZAFEERA KASSAM
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RELATED PHOTOGRAPHS
A billboard at a school in Nairobi welcoming His Highness the Aga Khan to Kenya for his Diamond Jubilee.
A jubilant crowd waves the flags of Kenya, the Ismaili Imamat and the Diamond Jubilee as they prepare welcome His Highness the Aga Khan to Kenya.
A group photo of Ismaili volunteers who served at the Nairobi airport in various capacities, including receiving visitors from abroad.
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His Highness the Aga Khan in Kenya: Pre-Arrival
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE AGA KHAN COUNCIL FOR KENYA
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EXCITEMENT BEFORE VISIT
Girls celebrate His Highness the Aga Khan’s forthcoming visit to Kenya by having their hands decorated with Henna (Mehndi). Photo: Zafeera Kassam.
Banners in Nairobi welcoming His Highness the Aga Khan to Kenya for his Diamond Jubilee visit.
Banners in Nairobi welcoming His Highness the Aga Khan to Kenya for his Diamond Jubilee visit.
Illuminations for the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee visit to Kenya.
Illuminations for the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee visit to Kenya.
Illuminations for the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee visit to Kenya.
Volunteers register members of the Jamat visiting from outside Kenya for the Diamond Jubilee of the Aga Khan’s visit.
For Kenya’s National Jubilee Arts Festival to commemorate the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee, the Saadhri (reed mat) was selected as its branding symbol.
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Date posted: April 11, 2018
Last updated: April 18, 2018.
Note: An earlier version of this post included Zafeera Kassam’s wonderful poem “Someone is Coming.” This poem has now been moved to Expressions for the Diamond Jubilee of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan: Calligraphy; Ya Mawla you are there; Someone is coming; and Darbar 2018
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Mumbarakis to the Jamat of Kenya as well as all those who joined from other African countries for the Diamond Jubilee Darbar held in Nairobi. As a former resident of Nairobi in the 1960’s and early 1970’s, I found the write ups and photos very interesting.
I remember many of the Nairobi Mulaqats of those times – 1964, 1966, 1967, 1972 and 1973 – to this day. It is interesting to note that while things have changed, one picture in the collection brought back memories of something that has not changed – the rain water ditch, along either Limuru Road or 5th Parklands Ave, remains the same – I used to walk by it almost everyday on my way to the Aga Khan Primary School!!.
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Dear Murids of Imam-e-Zaman:
Mubarak, mubarak, mubarak and barakat. Ameen.
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Enjoyed the heart-warming and soul uplifting poem by the Professeur Kassam on the Monumental, Historical and Sentimental Re-Visit of our Hazar Imam to “Karibu Kenya”- Mashallah! Hope you will enlighten us with more of your prose ingenuity!
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One of the best illuminations I’ve ever seen. The zest with which Ismailis work to prepare. decorate and welcome Jamats in and outside Kenya leaves nothing more to say. Mawlana Hazar Imam is one person for whom everyone comes alive with speed.
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Ya Ali Madad
I am so glad I have subscribed to Barakah! Thank you for such beautiful photos and best coverage of the Diamond Jubilee. Congratulations to all Kenyans too!
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