Prepared and compiled by MALIK MERCHANT
with contribution by IQBAL MOTANI

the PERSONAL standard of MAWLANA HAZAR IMAM at Three Historic Events

July 11, 2018: The Diwan of the Imamat

July 11, 2017: Homage Ceremony

December 13, 1986: New Constitution for the Ismailis

___________________

Article: The Ismaili Flag and the Personal Standard of Mawlana Hazar Imam

For decades, Ismailis have been familiar with the red and green flag which was commonly and proudly referred to as My Flag. It is now known as The Ismaili Flag. [1] It is a simple flag, yet rich and beautiful in appearance. The colour red forms a narrow diagonal strip between the colour green on either side. It certainly has an impact. It is the first thing I look at when I enter the grounds of the Aga Khan Park in Toronto, and I am deeply inspired and feel proud when the flag flutters in the wind. The other day, I watched three birds trying to unsuccessfully dislodge a bird that was perched at the top of the Ismaili Flag pole. The strong-willed bird remained firm in its position!

Flag article continues below

I recall the days when the flag would be featured in parades and adorned Jamatkhana decorations, especially during festive Khushiali celebrations of Imamat Day and Salgirah. I have fond memories of Upanga Jamatkhana in Dar es Salaam, and seeing The Ismaili Flag flying on the building, meant that a Talika (written message) had been received from Mawlana Hazar Imam, and that it would be read out that evening. The Ismaili Flag continues to be hoisted during Imamat related celebrations around the world. I have participated in flag raising ceremonies in many cities across Canada and also at the Aga Khan Park in Toronto. Many readers will also recall that during the Golden and Diamond Jubilees of Mawlana Hazar Imam, we were given the opportunity to wave The Ismaili flag along his motorcade route.

Flag article continues below

We also see the flag on Mawlana Hazar Imam’s car when he is on official visits to countries around the world.  The flag serves to honor relationships between the Ismaili Imamat and other nations. It is also on his plane as well as adorns hallways, rooms and desks during Mawlana Hazar Imam official visits or when he signs agreements with governments and non-governmental institutions. The flag however in these instances is referred as the Personal Standard of Mawlana Hazar Imam [2] because it bears a crest (emblem or Taj) of Mawlana Hazar Imam in the centre. For example, the flag at Aga Khan Park in Toronto is routinely The Ismaili Flag without the crest, but when Mawlana Hazar Imam is in Toronto, it is replaced with a crest bearing red and green flag which is referred to in the Ismaili Constitution as the Personal Standard of Mawlana Hazar Imam.

Flag article continues below

TWO Artistic Renditions of the Ismaili Flag

****

the Ismaili Flag: THE COMMUNITY’S PRIDE

****

The ISMAILI FLAG AND THE STANDARD of the Ismaili Imamat on Mawlana Hazar Imam’s plane, at Arrivals and the Motorcade carrying him

_____________

18 second VIDEO: An emotional moment as MAWLANA HAZAR IMAM’S PLANE departs showing the Personal Standard of Mawlana Hazar Imam

_______________

How prominent are the colours red and green, combined with other colours, on flags of the world? My research revealed that the following  44 countries meet this criteria: Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burkina Fasso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lithunia, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritius, Namibia, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan, Tajikistan, Togo, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe.

Flag article continues below

The Permanent Presence of the Standard of Mawlana Hazar Imam in Two Imamat Buildings: The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa and the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon

I then looked into the significance of the colours green and red in Islam and Christianity. Green is the colour that has been most strongly associated with Islam, and is representative of Islam, which means submission on the one hand and peace on the other. Green is always connected with Paradise. Green is also the colour of the Prophet, and this was stated in a letter by Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah to a prominent Ismaili leader [3]. A passage from the Qur’an describes paradise as a place where people “will wear green garments of fine silk.” [4] [5] A tradition related to the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.) says that when he died, he was covered with a Hibra Burd, which is a green square garment. [6]

Flag article continues below

Historical Photos of The Ismaili Flag, and Memorabilia Containing the Flag’s Red and Green Colours

The Fatimids, ancestors of Mawlana Hazar Imam, used a green standard, as well as white with gold, and green was actually a Fatimid dynasty colour that was used on its banners until 1171. [7] Green is also a symbol of nature and life — especially potent in the dry desert. The folkloric figure al-Khidr or “The Green One” is also connected with Islam. He symbolizes immortality. [8]

Green is a colour that enables a person to feel happy, joyful and represents new growth. It is the colour of nature and the natural environment. Green is used worldwide to symbolize safety, and is regarded as the most tranquil colour to the human eye. That is the reason why it is used as a symbol to protect the environment and reduce waste or pollution. Furthermore, green is considered as the color of peace and ecology, and also symbolizes wealth and property in many cultures.

Flag article continues below

In Islam, red is connected with life, health and blood, symbolizing life force. For example the red in the flag of Iran symbolises the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a.s.) as well as bravery, fire, life, love, warmth, and sophistication. [9] It is also the colour of the bridal veil that seems to guarantee fertility and is used as an apotropaic colour. Fire (in its positive aspects) and the red rose, all point to Divine Glory, as it is said that the cloak  of Divine Glory is radiant red. [10]

In Christianity, red is the more prominent colour. It represents sacrifice, valour and courage. As in Islam, Christianity red evokes the color of blood, and therefore is the color of martyrs and of Christ’s death on the Cross. For example in the flag of Portugal that also includes green, yellow, white and blue, red symbolizes the blood of the Portuguese nation while green symbolizes hope for the future. Red is translated in the Old Testament as oudem, which means “red clay.” It is the root word for mankind. The name Adam (Genesis 2:7) for example is derived from the word oudem. [11] 

Flag article continues below

The standard of the Ismaili Imamat at Signing of historic agreements, INAUGURATIONS, OFFICIAL VISITS AND HONOURS PRESENTED TO MAWLANA HAZAR IMAM

Note: The photos are not in any particular chronological order.

“Today, I feel honoured and proud to belong to this town [Mopti] which has made a lasting contribution to the enrichment of Islam and world civilisation, not only through its scholarship but also in its role as a crossroads where rich cultural and commercial exchanges between Africa, Europe and Asia which have taken place. I am also very happy to accept the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from the prestigious University of Sankoré, the African continent’s most ancient higher education institution…this university has been the alma mater of the town’s 180 Qu’ranic schools and the birthplace of the many scholarly works which became uniquely influential in Africa during the Middle Ages. The sum of all that knowledge has been preserved in the richly-stocked libraries of Timbuktu which house thousands of manuscripts, most of them written by scholars born in the town. This tradition of learning and the transmission of knowledge is at the heart of Islam and the practice of the faith.” — His Highness the Aga Khan, Mopti, Mali, April 24, 2008.

While neither the Qur’an nor the hadith, sayings or traditions of the Prophet contain specific references to things that should represent Islam, over time certain colors and symbols have come to be associated with Muslims and the Islamic faith. Rather than derived from scripture, symbols like the star and crescent and the colors typically associated with Islam today are simply the products of centuries of cultural tradition.

Flag article concludes below

The Personal Standard of Mawlana Hazar Imam in his Portrait Photos

For the Shia Ismaili Muslim community, the messages of peace and valour have been part and parcel of its history, and the Ismaili flag colours of green and red are representative of these ethos of the Ismaili community. It is a peaceful community and a community that always seeks to live in peace through the guidance of its Hereditary Imams who are descended directly from Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.) through his son-in-law Hazrat Ali (a.s.), the husband of Bibi Fatimah (a.s.). By the same token, the community has shown, when necessary, that it is willing to protect and defend its members with courage, strength and sacrifice when confronted by its enemies as they have shown throughout their 1400 year history.

_________________________

last word: THE RESILIENT bird AT Aga Khan Park, LIKE THE resilence and courage of the ISMAILI COMMUNITY UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF ITS forty nine HEREDITARY IMAMS

Date posted: August 5, 2021.

_______________________

Notes:

[1] Ismaili Constitution 1998, Pg. 27 and Schedule 12
[2] Ismaili Constitution 1998, Pg. 24 and Schedule 11
[3] See Ismaili flag – Its Origin & Importance
[4] See What are the colurs of Islam and Islam and Symbolism 
[5] See Islam and Symbolism
[6] See Wikipedia — Hadith
[7] See Wikipedia — Green in Islam
[8] See Importance of the colour green in Islam
[9] See Wikipedia — The Flag of Iran
[10] See “Deciphering the Signs of God” by Annemarie Schimmel, pg. 16.
[11] See Colour symbolism in Christianity
[12] See Christianity — Is there any significance to Colours in the Bible?

_______________________

Barakah welcomes your feedback. Please complete the LEAVE A REPLY form below or send your comment to simerg@aol.com if you don’t see the comment box. Your letter may be edited for length and brevity, and is subject to moderation. Before departing this website please take a moment to visit Barakah’s Table of Contents for links to more than 275 pieces dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam, his family and the Ismaili Imamat.