Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT

My friendship with the Andani family is as old as the “new” Tanzania that was born in 1964 from the union between mainland Tanganyika and the island of Zanzibar. Aziz, the youngest of six children of Gulamhusein and Sakarkhanu Andani, and I were students in Dar es Salaam at the Aga Khan Boys Primary School on United Nations Road. It is here that a game of marbles during a recess brought us together in a friendship that has lasted for almost six decades. As a frequent visitor to their home, I became deeply aware of the family’s immense interest in the media and the news.

Recently, when I received a long tubed cardboard box, my initial reaction was that someone had sent me a tripod as a gift, because of my love for taking photographs. I unpacked the package with immense care and to my greatest delight and surprise it contained 3 rolls of broadsheet prints of the Tanganyika Standard from 1946, when the Diamond Jubilee of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan, was celebrated in Dar es Salaam; and from 1957 when the late Imam passed away and was succeeded by his grandson, Mawlana Shah Karim Al Hussaini, as the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.

The package had been sent to me by the Andani family who advised me that the newspapers had been preserved by their beloved Ajmal for many years. Mumtaz, Ajmal’s wife, found the newspapers going through Ajmals’ personal belongings after he passed away.

When I took the newspaper prints for digitization, the owner of the scanning shop remarked at the impressive quality of the prints. It is a testimony to Ajmal’s deep interest in safeguarding newspapers of important events that took place both before and during his lifetime. Indeed, Ajmal wasn’t even born at the time of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah’s Diamond Jubilee in 1946.

Tribute to Ajmal continues below

Ajmal Andani’s Collection of Tanganyika Standard

Tanganyika Standard, Sunday, August 11, 1946: Aga Khan III Diamond Jubilee

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Tanganyika Standard, Friday, July 12, 1957: Aga Khan Dies

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Tanganyika Standard, Friday, July 12, 1957: East and West Lose a Great Leader in Aga Khan

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Tanganyika Standard, Saturday, July 13, 1957: Tributes to the Aga Khan

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Sunday News (Tanganyika Standard’s Sunday Newspapaer), Sunday, July 14, 1957: New Aga Khan Proclaimed

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Tanganyika Standard, Monday July 15, 1957: Governor to Attend Aga Khan Funeral

More Tanganyika Standard images below

Ajmal was the pillar of the Andani family. This is reflected in a beautiful poem that the family members composed during the final moments of his life. Ajmal’s profile was prepared by one of his sons. We are gratified to publish both the poem and the profile as a tribute to Ajmal. One of the fondest recollections that I personally have of Ajmal is of his play “Tainted Money” that was staged for the Aga Khan Secondary School as part of Dar es Salaam schools’ annual drama competition that was held in the Chang’ombe district of Dar es Salaam.

As we present a selection of Jpeg images as well as a PDF file from Ajmal’s Tanganyika Standard collection, we express our immense gratitude to the Andani family for sharing his collection with our readers around the world.

Ajmal is a noble example of a great guardian of Ismaili history. While many of us are unfortunately looking at ways to dispose or recycle our printed magazines, newspapers and important historical books, Ajmal guarded them. Our advice to all our readers: Never give away or dispose your important printed material, be they Ismaili magazines, newsletters or books. Impress upon your children the value of preserving our printed history. The realization of the importance of keeping the materials will come when future generations will be able to proudly hold the material in their hands and read them in their original form. They will thank their forefathers for endowing them with valuable historical gifts.

Thank you, my older brother and friend Ajmal for the historical gift that you have left behind for all of us to enjoy. This is an incredible and unique memory to share especially at this time when we are celebrating the 66th Imamat Day of Mawlana Hazar Imam on July 11, 2023. It may be noted that Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah’s Imamat has so far been the longest in Ismaili history spanning 71 years from 1885 until 1957; while Mawlana Shah Karim, at the age of 86, is the oldest living Imam. We all fondly recollect his Diamond Jubilee that was celebrated for one full year from July 11, 2017. The Darbar in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 11, 2018 to complete the Diamond Jubilee as well as his 61st Imamat Day was a monumental and historic occasion.

This post is a celebration of two great moments in Ismaili history, made possible by Ajmal Andani’s posthumous contribution of historical newspapers. We pray for the eternal peace of his soul, and convey our prayers to the family to bear Ajmal’s loss with courage and fortitude. Ameen.

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Sunday News Souvenir (Tanganyika Standard’s Sunday Newspaper), October 1957: Aga Khan IV Installed

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Sunday News Souvenir (Tanganyika Standard’s Sunday Newspaper), October 1957: New Aga Khan Pledges Himself to a Life of Service

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Sunday News Souvenir (Tanganyika Standard’s Sunday Newspaper), October 1957: Aga Khan – In My Lifetime We Shall See Wonders

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Sunday News Souvenir (Tanganyika Standard’s Sunday Newspaper), October 1957: The Pictures 20 Million Ismailis Want to See

Please see link below to download PDF file of Tanganyika Standard pages highlighted above

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A Poetic Tribute to Ajmal

By THE ANDANI FAMILY

With hearts heavy we bid you adieu
as you bravely face the shackles of Life ebbing. 

Brave & Fearless, our rock always, our pillar, our North Star,
holding our bonds strong. 

Ever absorbing the slings & arrows of life
without once ever a squeak. 

At every challenge, a new path you forged,
taking us to new heights. 

Many a good times we shared, much laughter & much joy. 
We hold fast to the memories & to each other. 

Much we have celebrated and boundlessly grateful
that in you we have a Brother, always strong & unfaltering. 

To the family a towering strength, larger than life.  
Among friends a flamboyant leader. 

Much loved and much sought in good times and hard times. 

Upright in morals and generous always, you never let us fall.

In you a gift we treasure and so immensely grateful
that the Almighty chose you as our Brother. 

Go softly, rise higher, angels await.

We celebrate you in your children & beautiful grandchildren
So you ever be with us in our love & prayers

And till we meet again, re-united on the Other Side

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Ajmal Gulamhussein Andani
(March 28, 1949 – August 10, 2021)

By SALMAAN ANDANI

Ajmal Andani was born on March 28, 1949 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The eldest son of his six siblings, Ajmal was innately curious and charismatic. He attended Aga Khan Boy’s Primary School and thereafter Aga Khan’s Secondary School. He was a top student despite his general disinterest in studying. With a surplus of energy and a proclivity towards fun and adventure, Ajmal attracted many friends and admirers. Ajmal welcomed discussion and debate on topics far ranging from politics to religion. His curiosity was boundless and any opportunity to try a new experience or grapple a contrary idea was taken.

After completing high school, Ajmal completed 6 months of National Service with successful completion of basic military training. It was in this setting that Ajmal’s leadership qualities came to fruition. With full responsibility to train fellow students with the use of live ammunitions — and his rising to a senior ranking — Ajmal’s ability to command the respect and following of others was established.

Upon completing his term in the National Service, Ajmal matriculated at the University of Nairboi where he began his studies of Veterinary Medicine. Ajmal loved animals and the natural sciences – and Veterinary Medicine was the perfect career choice given his interests and aptitudes. Unfortunately, his father needed his help managing the family business and Ajmal ended his studies prematurely. Once back in Dar es Salaam, Ajmal quickly scaled the business and their farm became the largest exporter of chickens in Tanzania. However, this success would be short-lived as the changing political landscape led to the nationalization of private properties and the eventual exodus of Ajmal and his family from Tanzania.

Ajmal and his family migrated to Mauritius where in a foreign country — with a foreign language — they purchased a fledgling dry cleaning business. With no prior experience in the industry, Ajmal fastidiously learnt the trade and with unprecedented work ethic and tenacity — grew the business leaps and bounds. As years passed and the rest of his family migrated to Canada for education and career opportunities, Ajmal followed suit.

In Canada, Ajmal and his siblings started a domestic clothing manufacturing business which grew to great success and is today one of the few remaining clothing manufacturers in Canada. Whilst fully engaged in growing a business — Ajmal still found time to be an admirable husband, father, son, friend and grandfather. There were few men of his strength of character and adoration — and his kindness, generosity and ethics live on through his progeny.

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Tanganyika Standard Aga Khan Coverage, 1946 and 1957: Please click on image to download PDF File

Date posted: July 10, 2023.

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VISIT BARAKAH’S SISTER WEBSITES

Before departing this website please take a moment to visit Barakah’s Table of Contents for links to more than 350 pieces dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat. Also visit Barakah’s two sister websites, Simerg and Simergphotos. Please follow Barakah’s editor Malik at Facebook and Twitter. He can be reached at mmerchant@barakah.com.