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
Update, September 1, 2023: This post was originally published in Barakah on August 24, 2019, in honour of Sultan Jessa (Order of Canada) following his death in Montreal two days earlier, on August 22. The first section of the post contains photographs of His Highness the Aga Khan taken by Azhar Choudhry, Jessa’s colleague and close friend at Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper. The complete set of photographs shown here was with Jessa at his Montreal home and, with permission from Azhar Chaudhry, many were chosen for publication in Simergphotos. We recently learnt with great sadness that Azhar passed away in Cape Town, South Africa, on November 1, 2020. Fas Nadeem has penned a beautiful tribute to his uncle and we invite our readers to click on Tribute to Azhar Chaudhry.
Through this revised post, we honour the memories of both Sultan Jessa and Azhar Choudhry who both worked together at the Daily Nation, and pray that their souls may rest in eternal peace.
Sultan Jessa with Her Excellency Adrianne Clarkson, the former Governor General of Canada, at the event in 2005 marking the presentation to him of Canada’s highest honour, the Order of Canada. Photograph: Sultan Jessa Collection.
Sultan Jessa was an outstanding Ismaili Muslim who served as a journalist in two continents for more than 50 years, and also richly contributed to the society in Canada, leaving an indelible imprint wherever he served. As he mentioned in an interview with me, his active involvement with communities across Canada was one way to meet the pledge of his beloved 49th Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, who had said in a speech that his Ismaili followers would become contributors to Canadian society. Originally from Tanzania, Jessa’s love for his adopted new land and his contributions to Canadian society led him to be recognized in 2005 with the country’s highest honour, the Order of Canada (OC). He passed away in Montreal on August 22, 2019.
Azhar Chaudhry started his professional life as an apprentice with the Kenyan newspaper, The Standard, working as a Lino Operator and trained to become a professional photographer at the London School of Arts. From 1963 he worked for The Daily Nation and later on became their Chief Photographer and Picture Editor. His love and passion for photography remained in his DNA for the rest of his life and Azhar contributed to many important publications. Azhar passed away in Cape Town. South Africa, on November 1, 2020.
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Photographs of His Highness the Aga Khan taken by Azhar Chaudhry
Date posted: August 24, 2019. Last updated: September 1, 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.
Thank you for sharing these timeless pictures. I remember the day Sultan invited my family into his home when we first arrived to Canada, greeting us with his usual warm smile. In his life’s work, he embodied the spirit and faith of the Ismaili community. He lives on by inspiring others to do the same.
Wah!! These are most memorable moments and Sultan Jessa’s collection of photos will live for generations. He lives behind a family of whom we can all be proud of. He has been a great mentor and an example to everyone. We thank Barakah for producing Sultan’s inspiring collection.
Thanks for sharing this article. I knew Azhar Chaudry very well in the 80’s. He had a good restaurant just across from my work and made the best steaks and shared some good stories of our beloved Imam.
Barakah 
What a beautiful collection of Hazar Imam’s photos. Excellent photography.
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Thank you for sharing such an amazing collection of rare photos of our Beloved Hazar Imam.
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What a collection! Thanks for the trouble that you have taken to collect and preserve the photos.
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Thank you for sharing these timeless pictures. I remember the day Sultan invited my family into his home when we first arrived to Canada, greeting us with his usual warm smile. In his life’s work, he embodied the spirit and faith of the Ismaili community. He lives on by inspiring others to do the same.
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Beautiful photographs from the collection of Late Sultan Jessa. May his soul rest in eternal peace, ameen.
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Wah!! These are most memorable moments and Sultan Jessa’s collection of photos will live for generations. He lives behind a family of whom we can all be proud of. He has been a great mentor and an example to everyone. We thank Barakah for producing Sultan’s inspiring collection.
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Thank you very much for these beautiful photos.
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What an amazing collection! Priceless!
Thank you !
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Thanks for sharing this article. I knew Azhar Chaudry very well in the 80’s. He had a good restaurant just across from my work and made the best steaks and shared some good stories of our beloved Imam.
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