Barakah is dedicated to Mawlana Shah Karim al Hussaini, His Highness the Aga Khan, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat – a Hereditary Divine Institution from the Time of the Prophet Muhammad and Imam Ali
Photos of Begum Salimah’s Visits to Aga Khan Health Centres in Kampala and Masaka in 1972 from the (Late) Dr. Rahimtula Jamani Family Collection, UK
Begum Salimah Aga Khan being received by Dr. Rahimtula Jamani, Chairman of the Aga Khan Health Board, at the Aga Khan Health Centre, Kampala, Uganda in February 1972, when she accompanied Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, on a tour of Uganda. Gulshan Jamani, wife of Dr. Jamani and author of this article is pictured at right. Photo: (Late) Dr. Rahimtula Jamani Family Collection, UK.
By GULSHAN JAMANI
Barakah’s request to readers around the world to seek out from their archives and old family albums photos of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, and members of his family, inspired me to look into files of my late husband, Dr. Rahimtula Jamani.
Dr. Jamani was a family physician who practiced in Uganda, serving the Jamat and other communities in the country.
Dr. Jamani was born in Mombasa, Kenya, in 1924. Later in life, his parents, originally from Gujarat, India, moved to Uganda. Rahimtula went to Nairobi for his studies following which he went to Mumbai, India, where he obtained his Degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the Grant Medical College in 1949. In early 1950, Rahimtula established his private practice in Kampala, Uganda. Apparently, he was the first Ismaili doctor in Kampala at that time.
Begum Salimah Aga Khan pictured during her visit to the Aga Khan Health Centre in Masaka in 1972, when she accompanied Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan on a tour to Uganda. Photo: (Late) Dr. Rahimtula Jamani Family Collection, UK.
In 1951, he got a locum for his practice in Kampala and went to Nairobi for honorary service at the Aga Khan Health Center for about a year. Subsequently, upon returning to Kampala, Dr. Jamani continued with his practice there until 1962 when he briefly went London, UK, for further studies at the Institute of Dermatology, St. John’s Hospital London.
Upon returning to Kampala, he started volunteering for a few hours every week at the Aga Khan Health Center. He also treated under-privileged patients at his surgery.
Dr. Jamani was the Chairman of the Health Board at the time of Mawlana Hazar Imam and Begum Salimah`s visit to Uganda in from February 20-27, 1972. The photographs were taken at a function organized in honour of Begum Salimah’s visit to the Health Centre.
After the expulsion of Asians in Uganda later that same year, our family settled well in the UK.
Dr. Rahimtula Jamani sadly passed away in 1998 in London at the age of 74.
Dr. Jamani is fondly remembered by his family and friends, as well as patients for his exceptional service. This selection of photos is my family’s humble tribute to my beloved late husband.
We pray that his soul may rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
Dr. Rahimtula Jamani, Chairman of the Aga Khan Health Board, welcomes Begum Salimah to the Aga Khan Heath Centre in Kampala in February 1972, when she accompanied Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, on a tour of Uganda. Photo: (Late) Dr. Rahimtula Jamani Family Collection, UK.
Begum Salimah Aga Khan makes remarks during her visit to the Aga Khan Health Centre in Kampala, when she accompanied Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, on a tour of Uganda from February 20-27, 1972. Photo: (Late) Dr. Rahimtula Jamani Family Collection, UK.
Begum Salimah Aga Khan keenly listens to Dr. Rahimtula Jamani, Chairman of the Aga Khan Health Board, as he explains projects under his portfolio during the Begum’s visit to the Aga Khan Health Centre in Kampala, when she accompanied Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, on a tour of Uganda from February 20-27, 1972. Photo: (Late) Dr. Rahimtula Jamani Family Collection, UK.
Gulshan Jamani, author of this piece, and wife of (Late) Dr. Rahimtula Jamani, is seen in a brief conversation with Begum Salimah at a joint reception held by the Aga Khan Health Board and Ismaili Women’s Organization during her tour of Uganda with Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, from February 20-27, 1972. Photo: (Late) Dr. Rahimtula Jamani Family Collection, UK.
Begum Salimah Aga Khan in group photos with leaders and members of the Aga Khan Health Board and the Aga Health Centre when she visited the Health Centre during her tour of Uganda with Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, from February 20-27, 1972. Photo: (Late) Dr. Rahimtula Jamani Family Collection, UK.
Dr. Rahimtula Jamani, Chairman of the Aga Khan Health Board, introduces Begum Salimah Aga Khan to a nurse during her visit to Aga Khan Masaka Health Centre in February 1972, when she accompanied Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan on a tour of Uganda. Photo: (Late) Dr. Rahimtula Jamani Family Collection, UK.
Begum Salimah Aga Khan signs the guest book during her visit to the Aga Khan Masaka Health Centre, with Mr Amirali J Somani, the Chairperson of the Masaka Health Centre (in grey suit), and others looking on. Begum Salimah was accompanying Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, on a tour of Uganda which took place from February 20-27, 1972. Photo: (Late) Dr. Rahimtula Jamani Family Collection, UK.
Begum Salimah Aga Khan receives gifts of Busuti, a Ugandan women National Dress from members of the Aga Khan Health Board at a luncheon function held at the Apollo Hotel in Kampala. To everyone’s surprise, the Begum wore the Busuti on the following day at a dinner held by the Aga Khan National Council for Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, and the Begum at the Apollo Hotel. She simply looked amazing. She was accompanying Mawlana Hazar Imam on a tour of Uganda which took place from February 20-27, 1972. Photo: (Late) Dr. Rahimtula Jamani Family Collection, UK.
Date posted: June 24, 2021.
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