Introduced by AMIN JAFFER
Barakah’s appeal to readers to share their photo archives of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, and the Imam’s family prompted me to approach numerous individuals in Edmonton, Canada, to seek out rare historical photos. Mr. Jan Karmali, a long time resident of the city, willingly and, with immense enthusiasm, provided me with his unique collection featuring Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah and Prince Aly Khan that were published on this website. Sadly, Mr. Karmali passed away recently at the age of 86. He will always be remembered for his contribution which has been deeply appreciated by Barakah.
On behalf of the editor of this website, I take this opportunity to urge readers to go through their own albums and seek out khajanas (treasures) of rare and historical photos of Mawlana Hazar Imam and his family. Please submit them to simerg@aol.com for publication.
Our community photos related to Mawlana Hazar Imam are scattered all over, and it is time to house important collections from individuals and families under one single library such as Getty Images for the entire world to see! Otherwise important collections will be lost forever as a result of neglect, oversight and damage.
I have been going through my own personal archives of photos that I’ve gathered in the last few years from numerous sources. I am delighted to share this first set of very rare photos of Prince Aly Khan’s visit in 1951 to Arusha, Tanzania (then Tanganyika). My next piece will be on Prince Amyn’s visit to Arusha in 1968.
Prince Aly Khan was accompanied on the visit by Rita Hayworth, whom he had married in the late 1940’s. They had one child from the marriage, Princess Yasmin, who has dedicated years and years of her life to bringing public attention to Alzheimer’s, which her mother started suffering from in 1981 when she was only 62. Princess Yasmin cared for her mother until she passed away in 1987. She had earlier founded the Rita Hayworth Gala that has raised more than $76 million for the Alzheimer’s cause since 1984.
Princess Yasmin’s father, Prince Aly Khan died in 1960 in a motor car accident.
Prince Aly Khan was extremely fond of driving. After his visit to Arusha, it was learnt that the plane that was to take him and Rita Hayworth had mechanical issues. Rather than waiting for the repairs to be carried out, and as the distance to Moshi was only 50 miles, the Prince decided that they would drive, and he took on the drivers seat. My father, Abdul Jaffer, was among the Jamati members at the airport to see off Prince Aly Khan. He humbly offered to take the luggage in his new truck. He was accompanied by Sadrudin Hasham Kassam Ishani. When they arrived at the bungalow where the Prince and Rita Hayworth were staying in Moshi, Prince Aly Khan took a moment to thank both of them for the fast delivery of the luggage.
Prince Aly Khan and Rita Hayworth in Arusha
Before departing this website please take a moment to visit Barakah’s Table of Contents for links to more than 190 pieces dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam, his family and the Ismaili Imamat.
Date posted: November 28, 2019.
Last updated: November 30, 2019.
Correction: In an earlier version of this post, the caption of the photo in which Prince Aly Khan is seen conducting a marriage incorrectly stated that the groom and the bride were Mohamed Jessa and Shirin Sulleman Jivraj. We have been asked to clarify that they are not the couple in the photo. We will update the caption when we are informed about the names of the couple. We apologize for this oversight.
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Barakah 
The 6th picture of Girl Guide uniform with hat side way picture is not Malek Gilani who was much younger and about 15 years of age. The lady is Mrs. Gulbanu Akberali Nanji, Chachi (aunt) to Sadru Pyarali Nanji. Sadru is on face book. You can ask him.
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YES Sulibai Asani you are right — that’s Mrs. Gulbanu Akberali Nanji, (Gulnanu Aunty); she was my neighbor in Nairobi – Moula rest her soul in eternal peace Ameen!
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Awesome.
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Excellent job 👌🙏
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Thanks for sharing… great to see my grandfather Jamal Mohamed Jivan in action to serve.
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Great photos as per the usual Barakah standards. The dark American Saloon in Arusha with number plate DSA 679 is a Dar es Salaam registered car. Judging by the type of the car, it can only belong to a very rich and prominent person/family. In this particular car could have belonged Mr. Alnoor Kassam of Kassam Sunderji Shamji Family. One of the Kassam Family’s male member is Shiraz Kassam based here in the U.K.
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As always you bring us wonderful photos of our beloved Imam’s family. Never ever seen Prince Aly Khan pictures as you’ve shared above. Stay blessed and looking forward to your next article.
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Nice to see such close-up photos of Wali Ahad (then). He asked to be buried in Syria where he was a hero for being stationed there during WWII. We used to sing:
Salamiya ke wahale
Himat wale
Tumko
Lakho lakho salaam.
At the 48th Imam’s death, he rushed to Beirut from there over the mountains to Syria to declare Prince Karim as the next Imam. Ismailis in Syria remained loyal during this destructive war from above. Hazar Imam’s constant worry.
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Ya Ali Madad: Interesting … could you please mention the meaning of the song lines?
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Well done for posting these historical photos for the Jamat to view. May Mawla bless you all.
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Wow! Thanks for sharing.
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