The House of Imran
“God chose Adam and Noah and the House of Abraham and the House of Imran above all beings, the seed of one another; God hears, and knows.” — Qur’an, 3:33-34
Barakah is delighted to present this fine collection of memorable Salgirah (birthday) moments from the life of the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, Mawlana Shah Karim Al Hussaini Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan.
Born in Geneva, Switzerland, on December 13, 1936, to Prince Aly Khan and Princess Joan Ali Khan, Prince Karim succeeded his grandfather, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, to the throne of Imamat on July 11, 1957, at the age of 20 by his grandfather’s will.
As of December 13, 2024, his 88th birthday, Prince Karim’s 67-year reign as the Imam is now the second longest in Ismaili history. It is four years, or precisely 1,633 days (4 years, 5 months, and 19 days), shorter than his grandfather’s reign of 71 years (from August 17, 1885, to July 11, 1957). However, at 88, Prince Karim is the longest-living Imam in Ismaili history, surpassing his grandfather, who passed away at 79.
The beautiful birthday memories presented here in descending chronological sequence are both personal and intimate for the Imam, his family, and his followers, and yet historical in the context of the Ismaili Muslim community, as some of his birthdays marked unique events and milestones for the community.
messages, photos and artwork commemorating THE AGA KHAN’S birthdays through the years
I am ambitious for you in the right way, just as a father and mother are ambitious for their children. Both a father and a mother want their children to work well, properly and ethically, and to carry these values throughout their lives. These are thoughts that I share with you, and although I will be leaving you physically today, I am always with you. I watch over you, I think of you, I pray for you, and I want you to know that I am always with my Jamath [community]” — Mawlana Hazar Imam, December 13, 2008.
DECEMBER 13, 2024, AGE 88
(1) BARAKAH ARTWORK
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(2) MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU
December 13, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the birthday of His Highness the Aga Khan:
“Today, I join Shia Ismaili Muslims in Canada and around the world in celebrating the 88th birthday of His Highness the Aga Khan.
“The Aga Khan has devoted his life to compassion and prosperity for all. For almost 60 years, through the Aga Khan Development Network, His Highness has made important progress in helping those most vulnerable, including through initiatives in education, health care, and economic development. His advocacy and commitment to improving the quality of life of those who are marginalized has made a meaningful difference for many.
“The Aga Khan has a deep, profound relationship with Canada and our communities. Through institutions such as the Global Centre for Pluralism, here in Ottawa, and the Aga Khan Museum, in Toronto, he has promoted inclusion and diversity across our country. In recognition of his invaluable contributions, the Aga Khan was appointed as an honorary Companion of the Order of Canada in 2005 and granted honorary Canadian citizenship in 2009.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my best wishes to His Highness on this special occasion and look forward to continue advancing our shared commitment to making the world a better place for all.
“Salgirah Khushiali Mubarak!”
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(3) STATEMENT BY MINISTER KHERA
(Federal Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities)
OTTAWA, December 13, 2024
Today, we join Shiite Imamite Ismaili Muslim communities at home and abroad in celebrating the 88th birthday of their spiritual leader, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. The Aga Khan is an internationally respected humanitarian leader and philanthropist. For more than 60 years, he has worked tirelessly to build bridges across communities, reduce poverty, defend the rights of the most vulnerable, advance gender equality and improve healthcare and education.
His Highness has always been an ardent defender of peace, inclusion and pluralism, values cherished by all Canadians. His work through the Aga Khan Foundation Canada and the Global Centre for Pluralism has helped some of the world’s most vulnerable people around the world. Furthermore, the Aga Khan established his first North American Islamic arts museum in Toronto, the Aga Khan Museum, which promotes intercultural dialogue, understanding and tolerance through the arts.
In recognition of the Aga Khan’s outstanding contributions, the Government of Canada named him an Honorary Canadian Citizen and invested him as an Honorary Companion of the Order of Canada.
On this special day, we salute the Aga Khan for his tireless dedication to humanitarian values and his commitment to a more inclusive, united and equitable world. We wish him a happy birthday as well as health and happiness.
Salgirah Khushiali Mubarak!
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DECEMBER 13, 2023, AGE 87
(1) GIFT FROM WORLDWIDE JAMAT
For a description of the gift and the Nad-e ‘Ali prayer, please click HERE
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(2) BARAKAH ARTWORK
(3) MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU
“Today, we join millions of Shia Ismaili Muslims in Canada and around the world to celebrate the 87th birthday of their spiritual leader, His Highness the Aga Khan.
“Since he succeeded his grandfather in 1957, the Aga Khan has dedicated his life to helping those most vulnerable and making the world a better place. Through the Aga Khan Development Network, which operates across five continents, His Highness has worked to reduce poverty and improve quality of life for disadvantaged communities around the globe, including in South and Central Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East. This includes the work of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada, a strategic partner in Canada’s efforts to reduce poverty and promote democracy in developing countries. The Foundation is dedicated to the empowerment of marginalized groups, including women and girls, by addressing their most pressing needs, which range from high-quality education and health care to economic well-being.
“Canada enjoys a special relationship with the Aga Khan. Together with the Government of Canada, His Highness established the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa, Ontario, to promote equality and advance pluralism around the world. Furthermore, the Aga Khan chose Toronto, Ontario, as the location of North America’s first Islamic arts museum, the Aga Khan Museum, which also serves as a centre of education, pluralism, and tolerance. In recognition of this special relationship, the Government of Canada appointed the Aga Khan as an honorary Companion of the Order of Canada in 2005 and granted him honorary Canadian citizenship in 2009.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I thank His Highness for his unwavering dedication to helping others. We look forward to further strengthening his relationship with our country and extend warm wishes for a very happy birthday.
“Salgirah Khushiali Mubarak!”
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DECEMBER 13, 2022, AGE 86
BARAKAH ARTWORK
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“The religious leadership of the Ismaili Imam goes back to the origins of Shia Islam when the Prophet Muhammad appointed his son-in-law, Ali, to continue his teachings within the Muslim community. The leadership is hereditary, handed down by Ali’s descendants, and the Ismailis are the only Shia Muslims to have a living Imam, namely myself.” – The Aga Khan, Politique Internationale, Spring 2010
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DECEMBER 13, 2021, AGE 85
(1) TALIKA MUBARAK
10th December 2021
My beloved spiritual children,
On the occasion of my birthday, the 13th of December 2021, I send my warmest and most affectionate paternal maternal loving blessings to all my beloved spiritual children throughout the world.
I give my best loving blessings for the souls of all my ruhani spiritual children, and I pray for the eternal peace and rest of their souls.
There has been significant progress around the world in combating COVID-19. However, given the unpredictability of the mutations and spread of this virus, I reiterate to my Jamat, as I have guided, on a number of occasions, the critical importance of undergoing, without hesitation or delay, the vaccination processes initiated by the respective health authorities, and to continue complying with all recommended safety protocols and guidelines.
The strength and resilience which my Jamat and its institutions have displayed in coping with the damaging consequences of the pandemic have been admirable. It is my conviction that the traditional values of our Tariqah — of commitment to the faith, unity, self-reliance, care and generosity for others — will serve the Jamat well as we plan for the future. I look to the Jamati institutions to draw lessons from the recent adversity as they plan for the Jamat’s safety and progress going forward. The Imamat and AKDN institutions will work closely with the Jamati institutions in this process.
At this time, my Jamats in some areas are facing a situation of insecurity and conflict. I have directed the Imamat and AKDN institutions to take all possible measures to assist the Jamati institutions in extending support to my Jamat in these difficult times. To all my beloved spiritual children in these Jamats, I convey my special loving blessings for mushkil-asan, and for strength and courage.
It gives me great satisfaction to share with my Jamat that, with the ongoing increase in my workload, my beloved family members, upon my request, have assumed additional responsibilities in order to assist me in a number of important areas of my work.
I am most touched that on the occasion of my birthday, senior Jamati leaders have presented a beautiful gift on behalf of my global Jamat, which I accept with appreciation and gratitude. [see photo of gift, below – Ed.]
I send my best loving blessings to all the spiritual children who have sent messages of congratulations and good wishes on this occasion.
I send my most affectionate loving blessings for your good health and happiness, spiritual progress, worldly success, strength of faith, and unity, with best loving blessings for mushkil-asan [protection from difficulties]. You are all most particularly in my heart, in my thoughts, and in my prayers.
Yours affectionately,
Aga Khan
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(2) GIFT FROM WORLDWIDE JAMAT
For a description of the gift, please click HERE.
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DECEMBER 13, 2020, AGE 84
(1) TALIKA MUBARAK
11th December 2020
My beloved spiritual children,
On the occasion of my birthday, the 13th of December 2020, I send my warmest and most affectionate paternal maternal loving blessings to all my beloved spiritual children throughout the world.
I give my best loving blessings for the souls of all my ruhani spiritual children, and I pray for the eternal peace and rest of their souls.
At this time, my Jamat shares with other societies around the world the pain and stresses of the Covid-19 crisis. As Imam-of-the-Time, my attention is focussed on ensuring that the work of the Jamati and AKDN institutions in extending relief and support to those in my Jamat who are vulnerable is effective.
For centuries, one of the core backbones of our Jamat has been our tradition of voluntary service. The global pandemic has challenged our volunteers in many new ways – whether it be in offering care and comfort to my Jamat and others, disseminating important and timely health information, or producing digital communications content to keep the Jamat informed and motivated. I am very pleased with the excellent work of my volunteers throughout the world to support the Jamat and the communities amongst whom they live, and to all my volunteers I convey my greatest admiration and best affectionate loving blessings.
I wish to reiterate that, at all times in your day-to-day lives, my murids should continue to exercise the utmost care and rigour in observing recommended health and safety measures. The reports regarding the development of effective vaccines are encouraging, and I would like my Jamat to be guided by the advice and directives of their health authorities to benefit from the protection these vaccines will provide.
It is a matter of satisfaction that my Jamat continues to draw inspiration from our historic tradition of facing adversity with unity, resolve and resilience, and I am convinced that my Jamat will emerge from the present crisis with enhanced strength and capacities as we plan for the future. I believe my Jamat will find comfort and support from the practice of their faith, whether in Jamatkhanas where these are accessible, or by way of private, personal prayer.
On the occasion of my birthday, I send my best loving blessings to all the spiritual children who have sent messages of congratulations and good wishes.
I send my most affectionate loving blessings for your good health and happiness, spiritual progress, worldly success, strength of faith and unity, with best loving blessings for mushkil-asan. You are all most particularly in my heart, in my thoughts, and in my prayers.
Yours affectionately,
Aga Khan
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(2) NEW BOARD OF GOVERNORS FOR THE INSTITUTE OF ISMAILI STUDIES (IIS)
On December 13, 2020, on the occasion of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 84th Salgirah, a new Board of Governors was announced to take over the IIS, which was established on December 13, 1977. The Board is international in its makeup and reflects diversity and improved gender balance. Its members come from a mix of academic and commercial backgrounds and include, for the first time, alumni of IIS graduate programmes.
For details about the new IIS Board, please click HERE
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DECEMBER 13, 2016, AGE 80
(1) BIRTHDAY CEREMONY IN AIGLEMONT
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(2) GIFT FROM WORLDWIDE JAMAT
For a description of the birthday event and gift, please click HERE
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DECEMBER 13, 2013, AGE 77
MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER
“It is my distinct pleasure to join Ismailis in Canada and around the world in marking the 77th birthday of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan. Happy Salgirah Mubarak and Khushiali Mubarak!
Canada enjoys a special relationship with His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the 49th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. Our country’s commitment to peace, pluralism and tolerance mirrors the Aga Khan’s vision of a better world. These values have also shaped the success of Canada’s thriving Ismaili Muslim community.
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“Given this strong bond, there could be no better home than Canada for the Global Centre for Pluralism. This ambitious endeavour, focused on promoting the value of pluralism around the globe, is an example of the Aga Khan’s principled leadership. His laudable efforts have earned him global admiration and the distinction of being one of Canada’s select honorary citizens. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I offer my warmest congratulations to the Aga Khan on this special day. Please accept my best wishes for a blessed and memorable celebration.”
Sincerely,
The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
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DECEMBER 13, 2008, AGE 72
(1) MAWLANA HAZAR IMAM’S PHOTOGRAPH AND HANDWRITTEN MESSAGE
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Text of handwritten message
The 13th of December, 2008.
I will be calling upon you from time to time in the future, to come to work with me, so that what we have decided to do together, from the end of the Golden Jubilee year onwards, actually and effectively, is carried forward. Because our institutions are growing very quickly, it is my hope and prayer that, 10 or 15 years from now, the Jamat’s capacity in most of the countries where it is living, will be very significant indeed, and that is what the Shia Ismaili Tariqah of Islam should achieve in the world. I am ambitious for you in the right way, just as a father and mother are ambitious for their children. Both a father and a mother want their children to work well, properly and ethically, and to carry these values throughout their lives. These are thoughts that I share with you, and although I will be leaving you physically today, I am always with you. I watch over you, I think of you, I pray for you, and I want you to know that I am always with my Jamath.
Aga Khan.
For background and context of the story, please click HERE
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(2) MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER
“It is my distinct pleasure to extend my warmest congratulations to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on the occasion of his birthday. I am also delighted to have this opportunity to wish the Ismaili community in Canada a happy Salgirah Mubarak and Khushiali Mubarak.
“For half a century, His Highness the Aga Khan has provided spiritual guidance to the Ismaili community and served as a benevolent leader in the world. He has made it his life’s mission to provide development and humanitarian aid in countries beset by conflict and poverty. More fundamentally, he has promoted dialogue, understanding and respect among different faiths and cultures. I have had many wonderful opportunities to attend events and meet members of Canada’s Ismaili community.
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“Recently, I was honoured to join the Aga Khan for the official opening of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa. Together with the Global Centre for Pluralism, it will promote the values of peace, prosperity and equality that have guided the Aga Khan throughout all his work. These humanitarian institutions have found a fitting home in Ottawa, the capital of one of the most successfully pluralistic countries in the world. On behalf of the Government of Canada, please accept my best wishes for a joyous celebration.”
Sincerely,
The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
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DECEMBER 13, 2003, AGE 67
FOUNDATION CEREMONY QUOTE AND PHOTOGRAPH, ISMAILI CENTRE DUBAI
“It is my humble prayer that, when built, the Ismaili Centre in Dubai will be a place for contemplation and a search for enlightenment, where people come together to share knowledge and wisdom. It will be a place of peace, of order, of hope and of brotherhood, radiating those thoughts, attitudes and sentiments which unite, and which do not divide, and which uplift the mind and the spirit” — Mawlana Hazar Imam, Dubai, December 13, 2008.
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DECEMBER 13, 1986, AGE 50
“The Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims affirm the shahādah lā ilāha illa-llāh, Muhammadur rasulu-llāh, the Tawhid therein and that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.) is the last and final Prophet of Allah. Islam, as revealed in the Holy Quran, is the final message of Allah to mankind, and is universal and eternal. The Holy Prophet (s.a.s.) through the divine revelation from Allah prescribed rules governing spiritual and temporal matters.” — Article (A), Preamble, Ismaili Constitution
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DECEMBER 13, 1978, AGE 42
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DECEMBER 13, 1964, AGE 28
FARMAN MUBARAK AND BIRTHDAY PHOTOGRAPH
“You have gathered here today to wish me a happy birthday and to reaffirm your loyalty and love to your Imam. My happiness at being with you on this occasion is deep and pure; all my thoughts, all my hopes and all my prayers are for you.
“Since the 11th of July 1957, all my aims and ambitions have been devoted to help and guide my spiritual children in spiritual and worldly matters. The happiness which I have gained from my work, the encouragement to carry more and more responsibility and undertake more and more projects, the continuous search for truth in all matters, all this has been due to you.
“For hundreds of years, my spiritual children have been guided by the rope of Imamat; you have looked to the Imam of the Age for advice and help in all matters and through your Imam’s immense love and affection for his spiritual children, his Noor has indicated to you where and in which direction you must turn, so as to obtain spiritual and worldly satisfaction.”
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“During the next generations, you will be living in a world of increasing material plenty, of voluminous material activity, and where a large part of man’s intelligence and thought will be devoted to providing material benefits to you.
“In the minds of some, there may be one day, some confusion as to the meaning and necessity for faith and if my spiritual children were ever to manage their lives in such a way as to come to believe that their minds create rather than having been created and that their material comfort is such that spiritual humility is no longer warranted, I can tell you now that the true and real happiness, which I pray it should be your blessing to experience will never touch your hearts. “On this happy day I rejoice in being with my spiritual children and in the knowledge that their spiritual and moral strength is such as to allow them to benefit from many more worldly goods without forsaking the remembrance of, and the submission to, ‘He from whom we have come and to whom we will return’.
“I give on this occasion to each and every spiritual child here and every spiritual child today living in this world, my most affectionate paternal maternal loving blessings: Khanavadan, Khanavadan.”
Farman excepts from Farman Mubarak Pakistan Visit 1964, published by the Ismailia Association for Pakistan. Quoted also in Ilm, Ismailia Association for the United Kingdom, July 1975, Volume 1, Number 1, page 27; Ismaili Mirror, Pak Ismailia Publication, Garden Jamatkhana, 13 December 1974, Karachi, Pakistan, p. 5; and Hikmat (Canada), Vol II, No. VI, February/March 1986, p. 1.
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DECEMBER 13, 1938, AGE 2
Date posted: December 12, 2024.
Last updated: December 13, 2024 (17:05 EST, added Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s and Minister Khera’s statements.)
Correction: In an earlier version, the second photo of Mawlana Hazar Imam cutting the birthday cake in Toronto in 1978 was incorrectly credited to the Zeenat Virani Collection. The credit should have read Kamrudin Rashid Collection. We apologize for the error.
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