By MALIK MERCHANT

On the auspicious occasion of his 67th Imamat Day Anniversary, July 11, 2024, Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of Ismaili Muslims, was presented with a special gift of a Monumental Basin featuring calligraphic odes from a qasida (poem) by Nasir Khusraw, the 11th-century Ismaili dai (missionary), philosopher, traveller, and among the greatest of the Persian poets.

Upon receiving this special gift, Mawlana Hazar Imam expressed his immense happiness and his desire to display the gift at his home as a constant reminder of this special occasion. He was joined by his sons, Prince Rahim and Prince Aly Muhammad, and his grandchildren, Prince Irfan and Prince Sinan, both sons of Prince Rahim. Their presence added a personal touch to the occasion.

The gift was presented on behalf of the Ismaili Jamat (community) by a delegation of Ismaili leaders — Shafik Sachedina, Senior Official of the Ismaili Imamat with remit for the Department of Jamati Institutions and the Department of Diplomatic Affairs; Malik Talib, Chairman of the Ismaili Leaders International Forum; Nazim Ahmed, Diplomatic Representative of the Ismaili Imamat to Portugal, and Sultan Ali Allana, Chairman, Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and Director of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED). They offered shukrana (gratitude) to Mawlana Hazar Imam for 67 years of guidance, care, and protection of the global Jamat. Mawlana Hazar Imam conveyed his best blessings to the Jamat worldwide.

The object dates back to Safavid Persia or Mughal India in the 18th century. It is engraved with depictions of animals, palmettes, and arabesques. Nasir Khusraw’s ode is on the rim of the basin. Verses of the qasida can be translated as follows:

None save a sage sees the fruit
Of this world’s tree, O sage!
A sage deems the wise this world’s fruit
The fool, its thorn
Hidden are the noble
Like dates among countless tangled thorns…
In God’s care am I in Yumgan
Look well, I am no prisoner!
No one says silver, gems, and rubies
Are abject captives in their mines
While poor Yumgan may be powerless
Here have I plentiful power and prestige…
People deem not a royal pearl inadequate, inferior
Simply for its insignificant oyster…
For those of luminous hearts and wakeful eyes
Knowledge and wisdom surpass gems and minted gold

Date posted: July 11, 2024.
Last updated: July 12, 2024.

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