By MALIK MERCHANT
(Publisher-Editor, Barakah, Simerg and Simergphotos)
The historical photos in this article are from the collection of Late Noorali Harji (1912-2006). They were presented for publication in Barakah by his son Nizar Harji (see his photo with Mawlana Hazar Imam, above) when I met him in Vancouver recently. Like other individuals and families before him who have submitted rare and historical photos for publication on this blog, Nizar re-ignited my long-held view that hundreds if not thousands of families have historical photographs of Mawlana Hazar Imam and his family in their archives that are waiting to be uncovered. As before, we again urge families to devote some time looking through their old photo albums and archives for gems and treasures from our recent history. Young boys and girls will be a great asset in this rewarding task. Unknown to you, the photos in your archives might be among the rarest as well as of significant historical importance. If you uncover a photo that you have not seen anywhere else, it is quite likely that it may be very rare! Please contact the writer at Simerg@aol.com, and you will receive an immediate response.
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The story of Nizar’s family is fascinating and I listened to it with great interest. Very briefly, Nizar’s grandfather Gulamhusein Harji was one of the earliest Ismaili settlers in Zanzibar. Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, during his second visit to Zanzibar in 1905, created a council to run the community’s affairs and also established the first Zanzibar Jamatkhana. Gulamhusein Harji was appointed both as a Council member as well as the Jamatkhana’s Kamadia. At that time a panjebhai committee was also created and meetings were held at his house, where food was served. During a later visit by the Imam, the panjebhai committee was merged and a monthly Chandraat Majlis was instead established by the 48th Imam which continues to the present day.
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Kamadia Gulamhusein was killed in the line of duty serving as a volunteer while he was still in the council. He had joined other volunteers to guard the Jamat against a group of Muslims who used to hold anti-Ismaili parades outside the Jamatkhana premises on a regular basis. One day the enemies arrived in full force on their horses and Gulamhusein with two other Ismailis died during a confrontation with the undignified group. Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah then sent a talika, with blessings. A photograph of the three deceased Ismailis was hung at the Zanzibar Jamatkhana entrance, as a reminder to all of their sacrificing spirit while defending the dignity of the Jamat. Nizar recollected during our meeting that the historical photo was present in the Jamatkhana during the 1980’s. Perhaps someone in Zanzibar can send us an image of the photo if it is still hanging on the wall.
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Kamadia Gulamhusein’s son, Noorali, was born in Zanzibar in 1912. Noorali got married in 1935 to Noorbanu Suleman Bhanji. At that time, matriculation (Grade 11-12) was the highest level of education available in Zanzibar. Noorbanu, at the age of 18, passed the matriculation exams with the highest marks. Her accomplishment can be attributed to the importance that Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah placed on education. Aga Khan schools had already been established in East Africa by the time Noorbanu began schooling.
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Noorali, with his new wife Noorbanu, then settled in Mombasa. Inspired by his father’s ethic of service, he too began a lifetime of service to the Ismaili community as well as external civil society bodies. His photographs with Mawlana Hazar Imam, Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah and Prince Aly Khan are a wonderful testimony of his extraordinary and devoted honorary services to the Jamat. He was linked with many bodies and sporting committees. In civil society, he was instrumental in arguing for the case to prevent core member of Ismaili families from being called upon to serve in military campaigns against Kenya’s anti-colonial movement that included Mzee Jomo Kenyatta as its leader. No doubt, Noorali is seen travelling with Jomo Kenyatta in an Ismaili volunteer’s uniform, after the fighter’s release from a Mombasa prison.
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Noorali moved to Canada in 1985 and began serving in his new country with determination and enthusiasm for which he was honoured with the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. He served to the last days of his life. While assisting Hon. Hedy Fry for her re-election to the Federal Parliament and after having introduced her to the voters at the meeting, Noorali suddenly felt ill and was hospitalised. He passed away four days later on January 26, 2006 at the age of 93 . We pray that his soul may rest in eternal peace.
We pay our deep respect and gratitude to late Noorali Harji for preserving this collection carefully for decades, and thank his son Nizar Harji of Vancouver for sharing this unique photo collection of his father with readers of Barakah.
Prince Aly Khan
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan
Date posted: February 8, 2020.
Last updated: February 8, 2022 (typo).
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.
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Barakah 
The gentleman seated on the dais with Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah at the Diamond Jubilee is Count Kassum Sunderji.
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Re:The 3rd photo of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah in 1905 with council members. Gulamhusein Harji [Sumar Walji Jendhani] was my paternal grandmother Sakarbai’s, paternal grandfather. Sakarbai’s maiden name was Sakarbai Ali Gulamhusein Harji [Sumar…].
Noorali Harji, whom we all called Mamma Chacha, was Sakarbai’s chacha, younger half-brother of her father. His wife, Nurbanu Suleman Bhanji, was the granddaughter of Peera Dewji, whose biography was written by Judy Aldrick: see my review of it by clicking on https://ismailimail.blog/2017/01/20/book-review-by-zahir-k-dhalla-the-sultans-spymaster-peera-dewji-of-zanzibar/
There is another family member in this photo: Itmadi Jiwan Lalji, squatting in the first row, 1st from the right of the three squatters. He was, again, Sakarbai’s stepmother Khatibai’s, father. Jiwan Lalji helped many Ismailis settle on the mainland e.g. Jina Madhavji, having come from Gavidar, India by vaan (dhow) to Zanzibar in 1905, was helped by Jiwan Lalji to settle on the coast on Lamu Island, British East Africa (now Kenya).
There is a huge framed full-length photo of Gulamhusein Harji [Sumar…], in the big storage room of the Zanzibar Jamatkhana! He was a pawn-broker, his shop being in the Soko Mahogo neighbourhood of Stone Town.
A bit of trivia: the full name of Hanif Harji, the well-known restaurateur (https://torontolife.com/tag/hanif-harji/), is Hanif Gulamali Saleh Gulamhusein Harji [Sumar…], making him the great grandson of our above subject.
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My uncle Noorali Hariji was a very active man in Mombasa and continued helping everyone who needed help after he came to Canada. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
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A very historical collection of pictures and information for every one of us to go through and enjoy. The pictures are indeed very rare. Pray that may the soul of Late Noorali Harji rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
The efforts by Barakah.com are also very commendable and best wishes for future endeavors. Keep up the spread of knowledge.
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