Introduced by ABDULMALIK MERCHANT
(Publisher/Editor Barakah, Simerg and Simergphotos; all .com)

During one of my recent visits to Vancouver, I was very pleased to personally meet with Mr. Ahamed Ismail, with whom I had been communicating via email for a number of years. He graciously treated me to a wonderful buffet lunch at an Indian restaurant close to the Ismaili Centre on Canada Way. He then deeply touched me when he presented me with his personal copy of a 1977-1978 Commemorative Issue celebrating sixty years of Ismaili education in Kenya, published by His Highness the Aga Khan Education Department for Kenya.

Parting with rare books and magazines or even lending them to others is something I would normally not do, and I also advise my friends not to lend their rare literature. Mr. Ismail, however, gifted me the magazine because he was confident I would treat it with care and that I would use some material from it for the benefit of readers of Barakah. I am now delighted to fulfill his wish, but first I want to introduce Ahamed Ismail to readers through a memorable  event that took place in his life in 1957 when he was a young student. His account originally appeared in Simerg a few years ago. Mr. Ismail wrote:

Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit and the iconic teacher Karim Master

“I arrived in Dar es Salaam for further studies from the small town of Musoma in 1956. Karim Master was the head teacher of religious studies, and I soon came to know him.

“I found that he took a keen interest in every student. He expected us to learn our history well, and recite the Dua, Ginans and the Eid Namaz in the best possible manner.

“Though strict, he was extremely kind hearted and fair. He greatly helped and encouraged me to sing Ginans and learn their meanings.

“Within a short period after my arrival, he taught and prepared me to recite the Eid Namaz in Dar es Salaam’s Darkhana Jamatkhana in 1956.

Continue reading after photo

“In late 1950’s, Mawlana Hazar Imam, as I recollect, visited Dar es Salaam twice. The first visit was for the ceremonial installation (or the Takhtnashini) as our 49th Imam in 1957, and the later visit was for numerous other events, including the opening of the newly built Aga Khan Primary School.

“In preparation for the opening of the school, Karim Master chose me to recite verses from the Holy Qur’an in the presence of our beloved Imam. Karim Master selected Sura Fateha and Sura Ikhlas. He would call me into his office every day for almost two weeks, and ensured that my recitation was perfect for the big day.

“On the day of the opening of the Aga Khan Primary School, I went straight from my class to the site in my secondary school uniform – I was then in Grade 10. The opening was attended by numerous dignitaries including the Education Administrator, (Vazir) Alnoor Kassum, and the Liwali (Governor) of Dar es Salaam.

“The recital went really well and at its conclusion I was glad to learn that someone had taken photos of Mawlana Hazar Imam with me.

“I give my humble shukrana to Mawlana Hazar Imam for this wonderful blessing. I owe this unique lifetime opportunity to one of the greatest and finest human beings I have known in my life – the iconic Karim Master who inspired my religious outlook and understanding.”

On a personal note, adding to Ismail’s reflection about Karim Master, the late teacher was a dear and beloved friend of my parents – my late dad Jehangir who passed away last May, and my mother Maleksultan. Karim Master taught at the Aga Khan Boys Secondary School while my parents taught at the Aga Khan Girls Secondary School. Teaching religious education with Karim Master at the Aga Khan Boys was the late Amirali Jinnah. 

The commemorative special issue that Ahamed Ismail presented me is dedicated to our beloved 48th and 49th Imams and begins with the following words in its opening pages.

To Our Beloved Imams Mowlana Sultan Mohamed Shah His Highness the Aga Khan III and Mowlana Shah Karim al-Husayni His Highness the Aga Khan through whose benevolence and guidance has been realised all that we see reflected in the pages which follow.

The magazine was edited by Izzat Muneyb, who passed away suddenly a few years ago. I fondly remember Izzat for the wonderful pieces she wrote for this blog’s sister website Simerg. The 254 page glossy magazine that she edited is rich in articles and photos.

I offer my sincere thanks to Ahamed Ismail, without whose generosity this post would not have materialized.

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Mawlana Hazar Imam’s pleasure at 100% pass achievement of students

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The Two Worlds

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Date posted: February 16, 2019.

Before departing this website, may we suggest that you visit Barakah’s Table of Contents for links to more than 140 pieces dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam and his family.

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