By MALIK MERCHANT
(Publisher-Editor, Barakah, Simerg and Simergphotos)

Prince Hussain, second son of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, married Ms Elizabeth Hoag in a private ceremony on September 29 2019, in Geneva, Switzerland. “This is a very happy occasion for us and I am delighted to welcome Elizabeth into our family,” said Mawlana Hazar Imam.

On Friday September 20, 2019, Mawlana Hazar Imam had announced the date of the Nikah in a special message to the world wide Jamat. Elizabeth adopted the name Fareen upon embracing Islam when she got engaged to the Prince last December. Fareen is a Persian that means “blessed”, “fortunate”, “great”, or “glorious”.

The Aga Khan Council for Canada in a very brief announcement read out in Jamatkhanas across the country last night (September 29) noted that the world wide Ismaili Jamat was represented at the traditional Muslim ceremony by the chairman of the Leaders’ Ismaili Forum, Mr. Mahmoud Eboo. The Chairman, accompanied by his wife, Karima, presented Prince Hussain and Princess Fareen with a Persian Qajar tile from the 19th century.

The announcement asked the Jamats to join for sherbet and cake upon the completion of the Jamatkhana ceremonies to celebrate the happy union.

Co-incidentally, September 29 also marked the beginning of the Muslim Muslim month of Safar. For Ismailis, the commencement of each new Muslim month is observed as Chandrat (Night of the New Moon) which brings with it peace and happiness in the heart. Attendance on Chandraat is usually much higher than on other days of the month. It is observed with recitation of Salwats and prayers praising and glorifying Allah.

Thus, with Prince Hussain’s marriage also taking place on Chandrat, the post Jamatkhana ceremonies were extraordinarily joyful. Most members present in the congregation stayed over in large numbers to partake of the sherbet and cake as well as other refreshments that were served in Jamatkhana social halls acrross the country.

We are delighted to bring to our readers photographs of happy Ismaili faces as they celebrated the Nikah of Prince Hussain and Princess Fareen.

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A Toast to Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Princess Fareen

TORONTO: HEADQUARTERS JAMATKHNA (ISMAILI CENTRE)

CALGARY: WESTWINDS JAMATKHANA

MONTREAL: HEADQUARTERS JAMATKHANA

Ismailis around the world rejoice with their beloved Imam and his family as well as the family of the bride, and wish Prince Hussain Aga Khan and his beloved bride, Princess Fareen, peace and happiness in their life together as well as good fortune in all their endeavours.

We also convey our heartiest felicitations to all our readers on this happy occasion and encourage readers to express their wishes and thoughts by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post. What follows is one such piece, which has been adapted by the editor from the writer’s original poem that was posted in Simerg on August 31, 2013 on the auspicious occasion of Prince Rahim’s wedding to Princess Salwa.

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Mubarak Fareen, Mubarak Hussain

By NAVYN NARAN

It is the dawn of a glorious day
as petals are unfurling
the Jamat is delighted to welcome a Prince’s Bride.
Khushamadeed!
how Joyous our Imam and His Family.
Mubarak!
Mubarak, Fareen, Mubarak kareem!
Mubarak Hussain, Mubarak kareem!

Our Mawla, we affirm our love and devotion,
On this grand occasion, the Jamat prepares a delicate sherbet potion
Our elders rejoicing, ambrosial sherbet and cake we share
Our Beloved Noorani family, your Jamat is with you there.

Many mornings have accompanied their journeys and now
A Nikah, a prayer, a ring and a vow
And around the world, salwaats are being prayed
Murids’ wishes for happiness for the Noorani couple this day

Softly, gently in tempo as breeze flows with grace
She walks by his side, radiant is her face
May joy, trust and respect Bless their joint life
As Prince takes Princess for his beloved wife.

Sun blushing in laughter, fountains dancing in flow
This bond is hope rooted, and dreams will grow…
Hafiz Loves the spaces eyesight cannot see
Love is a truth stronger, it sees the unseen.

Date posted: September 30, 2019.
Last updated: October 3, 2019.

Before departing this website please take a moment to visit Barakah’s Table of Contents for links to more than 180 pieces dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam and his family.

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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 and members of his family, as well as the Ismaili Imamat.