Prepared by MALIK MERCHANT

The birth of a newborn is always an occasion of joy. For Ismaili Muslims, who are led by Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, a new birth in the Imam’s family is especially significant because the Imam is the direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, holder of the hereditary Divine Authority of Imamat and the Bearer of the Light (Noor) of Imamat. The Imam addresses the Ismailis as his “beloved spiritual children.” Thus, he is the Ismailis’ spiritual parent; he guides them in spiritual and material matters and protects them.

When Prince Rahim and Princess Salwa were expecting their second child — the first one being Prince Irfan — Mawlana Hazar Imam on October 7, 2016, sent the following message to the worldwide Jamat:

“It gives me the greatest happiness to announce that Prince Rahim and Princess Salwa are expecting their second child. This wonderful news, which I am delighted to share with you, brings immense joy and happiness to all our family and to the Ismaili community worldwide.”

On December 13 of the same year, Mawlana Hazar Imam celebrated his 80th birthday, thus surpassing his grandfather, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III, as the oldest living Imam in Ismaili history. Prince Sinan’s birth took place shortly thereafter, on January 2, 2017. Mawlana Hazar Imam’s message to the Jamat read as follows:

“Prince Sinan’s birth has brought immense joy to our family. We are most touched by your kind thoughts and prayers over the period leading to Sinan’s birth.”

The year of Prince Sinan’s birth also saw the commencement of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Diamond Jubilee Year on July 11. In this regard, our regular contributor Shariffa Keshavjee poetically wrote a tribute to the Prince:

In this our Diamond Jubilee year, your birth bring to us
Great tidings of gladness and joy within us
Our many faceted diamond is aglow for us.

At the end of the Jubilee year, in July 2018, Ismailis had the happiness of seeing Prince Sinan and his older brother Prince Irfan in Lisbon. Prince Sinan was then only 18 months old. He with Prince Irfan, who will turn 9 on April 11, 2024, stole the hearts of everyone during their appearances with Prince Rahim and Princess Salwa at various Jubilee events.

In February 2023, Prince Sinan visited the Royal Treasure Museum at the Ajuda National Palace in Lisbon in the company of his father. A month later, in March, the Ismaili published a touching photograph of Mawlana Hazar Imam with Princes Sinan and Irfan.

The Meaning of Sinan

Sinan is an Arabic name for boys meaning spearhead. It is derived from the root word S-N-N which is used in the Qur’an. Sinan is pronounced [(SI)mple] + [(NA)p + (N)ew] with emphasis on the second syllable.

Students of Ismaili history can relate the name Sinan to the revered personality of Rashid al-din Sinan, one of the greatest and most valiant of the Syrian Isma’ili leaders of the 12th century. Farhad Daftary notes in his new book, The Ismaili Imams — A Biographical History that “….in Syria the Ismailis attained the peak of their power and glory in the second half of the 12th century under their eminent dai Rashid al-Din Sinan (d. 1193), who successfully led them for three decades.” (p. 10)

On a personal note, I particularly remembered Prince Sinan on New Year’s day, January 1, 2024, when I visited the Lake Louise Ski resort and watched young children coming down the ski mountain. I publish the following photograph in Prince Sinan’s honour, being very much aware of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s own love of skiing.

We wish Prince Sinan a very happy birthday and convey our congratulations to his parents, Prince Rahim and Princess Salwa, his older brother Prince Irfan, and to Mawlana Hazar Imam and his entire family.

Date posted: January 2, 2024.

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