Prepared and compiled by MALIK MERCHANT
This page highlights His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to India, from his arrival on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, to its conclusion on September 15. Pre-arrival details are available on a separate page HERE. Barakah is dedicated to providing comprehensive coverage of the India visit. Please visit this page regularly for updates. This page was last updated on September 13, 2026 (01:06 AM EDT).
ANCHOR LINKS FOR EACH DAY OF THE AGA KHAN’S VISIT TO INDIA
September 12, 2026
- His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Mumbai
- His Highness the Aga Khan blesses the Ismaili Jamat in Gujarat with third Didar as he departs for Mumbai
- His Highness the Aga Khan meets the Chief Minister of Gujarat
- September 11, 2026
- September 10, 2026
- September 9, 2026: His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in India
________________
September 12, 2026 (3): His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Mumbai
Mawlana Haza Imam was welcomed to Mumbai by Jayakumar Rawal, the Honourable Minister for Protocol of Maharashtra, and Rajesh Gawande, the Secretary for Protocol of Maharashtra, along with several local government officials and leaders of the Jamat.
Also welcoming Mawlana Hazar Imam shortly after his arrival was a delegation from His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra community.
THE BOHRA JAMAT: A BRIEF HISTORICAL NOTE
The Mustea’li Ismailis, known today as Bohras, split from the Nizari Ismailis, who followed Imam Nizar rather than Musta’li, after the death of the Fatimid Imam-Caliph, the 18th Hereditary Ismaili Imam, Mustansir Billah. After the split, the Nizari Ismailis moved to Iran, while the Fatimid Mustea’li community continued its succession until their 21st Imam, al-Tayyib, went into concealment. Today, several distinct groups exist within the Bohra community. Their respective Da’i al-Mutlaq (the absolute summoner or missionary) will rule until, as they believe, the hidden Imam returns. The Dawoodi Bohras, led by Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, are one such group. It has maintained a respectful relationship with the Ismaili Imamat, conveying its condolences in Lisbon to Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Rahim when Mawlana Shah Karim passed away.
______________________
September 12, 2026 (2): His Highness the Aga Khan blesses the Ismaili Jamat with the third Didar in Gujarat as he departs for Mumbai
After holding two Didars in Gujarat on September 11, Mawlana Hazar Imam graced his Jamat in the state with a third Didar on September 12. Following this, the President of the Aga Khan Ismaili Council for India presented the voluntary pledges of Tohfa (gifts) for seva (service) made by the Indian Jamat.
Mawlana Hazar imam then departed Ahmedabad for Mumbai, the vibrant capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and India’s largest city, as well as its financial capital. To bid him farewell were Jwalant Trivedi, Gujarat’s Chief Protocol Officer, and leaders of the Jamat.
_______________
September 12, 2026 (1): His Highness the Aga Khan meets the Chief Minister of Gujarat
MEDIA COVERAGE
- The Times of India – Mumbai News: Celebrations and social service mark Prince Rahim Aga Khan V’s maiden India visit
- The Hindustan Times: Aga Khan’s visit: A personal reflection on pluralism
- The Ismaili: Mawlana Hazar Imam meets Chief Minister of Gujarat
- ANI: Prince Rahim Aga Khan V meets Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar
- The New Mill: Prince Rahim Aga Khan meets Gujarat CM to discuss development
Social Media Coverage
~~~~~~~~
YouTube Video: Ismaili Update 4
The Ismaili Update 4 highlights Mawlana Hazar Imam’s meeting with the Chief Minister of Gujarat, and a third Didar in Gandhinagar before departing Gujarat for Mumbai.
________________
September 11, 2026 (2): His Highness the Aga Khan bestows two Didars upon the Jamat of Gujarat
The moment the Jamat in India, particularly in Gujarat, had been waiting for over the past 5 weeks finally arrived when Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, granted Didars in two separate sessions held in Gandhinagar. The morning session included the Jamats of Northern and Eastern Gujarat, and the afternoon session was for Southern Saurashtra, with Ahmedabad and Junagadh Headquarters Jamatkhana submitting bay’a on behalf of their communities. Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, is approximately 23 kilometres north of Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state.
The Didar, in this instance, of being in the presence of the Imam of the Time, is a deeply spiritually uplifting and inspiring moment for every Ismaili, as the Imam blesses his Jamat with his physical presence and guides them in worldly and spiritual matters. This is the Imam’s first visit to India since he became the 50th Hereditary Imam on February 4, 2025.
~~~~~~~~
Both the Didar sessions were followed with presentations of beautiful art installations, as shown and described below.
_______________
September 11, 2026 (1): His Highness the Aga Khan meets the Governor of Gujarat — with beautiful photos from the Governor’s Facebook page
IPL / Sarfaraj Khorasi.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, met with the Honourable Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devvrat, on September 11, 2026. The Governor has served the State in this role since 2019, focusing on advances in environmental conservation, girls’ education, women’s empowerment, and natural farming in the state. Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Governor discussed the Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) work to improve quality of life in Gujarat and beyond.
Jamati and Imamat institutions have made several investments here over the years, including forming farmers’ alliances, supporting efforts to fence agricultural land, and working with the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme to offer technical advice to farming communities. Their educational endeavours date back to 1905, when the first Aga Khan School was founded in Mundra.
Writing in the Guest Book, Mawlana Hazar Imam said: “Thank you for your warm welcome, for a fascinating discussion, and for the joint commitment to work together on several pressing issues of our time.”
MEDIA COVERAGE
- The Ismaili: Mawlana Hazar Imam grants didars in Gandhinagar
- The Ismaili: Mawlana Hazar Imam meets Governor of Gujarat
~~~~~~~~
Social Media Coverage
Post(s) on Facebook
~~~~~~~~
YouTube Video: Ismaili Update 3
The Ismaili Update 3 highlights Mawlana Hazar Imam’s arrival in Gujarat on September 10, his first Didar in Gandhinagar, and his meeting with the Honourable Governor of Gujarat on September 11.
________________
September 10, 2026 (2): His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Gujarat
Following meetings in New Delhi with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and other National Leaders, Mawlana Hazar Imam travelled to Gujarat, a region with deep historical and cultural ties to the Ismaili community.
A large portion of the global Ismaili population traces its roots back to villages and towns in Gujarat. Between the 11th and 16th centuries, the Ismaili Imamat sent Pirs (missionaries) to Gujarat and Sindh, who, through their composition of Ginans (hymns or religious poetry) in local dialects and languages, sought to enlighten the local populace about the Satpanth, or the True Path — Sirat al-Mustaqim in Arabic — and provided an ethical framework for good and noble living. Notable Pirs include Pir Satgur Nur, Pir Shams, Pir Sadardin, and Pir Hasan Kabirdeen. For centuries, the devotional recitation of the Ginans they composed has continued to inspire the Jamat worldwide, alongside other traditional forms of recitation such as Qasidas from the Middle East and Central Asia.
~~~~~~~~
MEDIA COVERAGE
________________
September 10, 2026 (1): His Highness the Aga Khan meets India’s President and the Vice President, the Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Union Minister in Delhi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, met His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th Imam of the Ismaili Community in New Delhi. During the meeting, Shri Modi fondly recalled the late Aga Khan IV, father of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, and his enduring contributions to development efforts. The Prime Minister discussed ways to further strengthen the partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network in key areas, including healthcare, agriculture, rural development, youth empowerment and women empowerment.
In a subsequent update, the Prime Minister’s website highlighted the following points:
- PM appreciates AKDN’s longstanding contributions to India’s development priorities;
- PM commends the Network’s work in heritage conservation and restoration; and
- His Highness the Aga Khan reaffirms AKDN’s commitment to India’s inclusive growth and social progress.
The Prime Minister appreciated AKDN’s longstanding contributions in India, particularly in sustainable urban development, water conservation, healthcare, rural sanitation, skill development for youth and women empowerment. Prime Minister also commended AKDN’s pioneering efforts in preserving India’s cultural heritage through the restoration and rejuvenation of historic sites across the country.
His Highness the Aga Khan reaffirmed AKDN’s commitment to India’s inclusive growth and social progress. He appreciated India’s transformative development initiatives and shared his perspectives on the role of innovation in advancing human welfare.
In a post on X, Shri Modi said;
“Happy to meet His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V. Fondly recalled his father, the late Aga Khan IV and his enduring contributions to development efforts. Discussed ways to further strengthen our partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network in healthcare, agriculture, rural development, youth and women empowerment.”
Mawlana Hazar Imam also met with India’s President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar, and Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah. The Vice President hosted a lunch in Hazar Imam’s honour, attended by senior government officials and leaders of the Ismaili community and AKDN.
The meetings offered a chance to discuss the long-standing partnership between the Ismaili Imamat and India, and their ongoing collaboration to create opportunities for economic empowerment both in India and in other parts of the world.
“I am very happy to be back in India, a country with which the Ismaili Imamat has a long history,” Hazar Imam said. “I am most grateful to the Prime Minister and other senior leaders of the country for our engaging and productive discussions. I look forward to our ongoing partnership to improve quality of life in India and around the world.”
~~~~~~~~
MEDIA COVERAGE
- AKDN: His Highness the Aga Khan meets with India’s national leadership during his first official visit
- The Ismaili: Mawlana Hazar Imam meets Indian Prime Minister and national leaders
- The Hindu: Jaishankar meets Prince Rahim Aga Khan V
- Khaama Press: PM Modi, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V Discuss Expanding India-AKDN Development Partnership
- The Economic Times: Prince Rahim Aga Khan V meets PM Modi to discuss India-AKDN partnership in development
- The Tribune: VP Radhakrishnan, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V reaffirm need to eradicate radicalisation, dialogue path to peace during talks
- Devdiscourse: EAM Jaishankar Meets Prince Rahim Aga Khan: Strengthening Heritage and Social Ties
~~~~~~~~
Social Media Coverage
Post(s) on X
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
Feedback Posts(s) on X
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
YouTube Video: Ismaili Update 2
The Ismaili Update 2 highlights the second day of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to India. He was received by the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. Following this, he was welcomed by India’s President and Vice-President, who hosted a lunch in his honor, attended by some of the nation’s most senior leaders.
_____________
MEDIA COVERAGE
- The Economic Times: Prince Rahim Aga Khan V meets PM Modi to discuss India-AKDN partnership in development
- The Tribune: VP Radhakrishnan, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V reaffirm need to eradicate radicalisation, dialogue path to peace during talks
- Devdiscourse: EAM Jaishankar Meets Prince Rahim Aga Khan: Strengthening Heritage and Social Ties
________________
September 9, 2026: His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in India
Ismaili Muslims in India have eagerly anticipated the visit of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, for weeks. The special moment finally arrived when he landed in New Delhi on September 9, 2026. IANS, India’s largest independent news agency, reported his arrival on its X account. Asian News International (ANI) posted his arrival video. The Ismaili, the official website of the Ismaili community, has since covered his arrival. His 7-day visit from September 9 to 15 will include meetings with government leaders and the bestowing of Didars upon the Jamat in India.
~~~~~~~~
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has released a detailed itinerary of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s meetings with government officials. This visit marks his first trip to India since he assumed the role of Imam on February 4, 2025, and it will be his 11th visit to the global Ismaili community. Mawlana Hazar Imam’s previous visits include France, Kenya, Uganda, the USA, Portugal, the UK, Eastern Canada, Northern Pakistan, Germany and Western Canada (click on the links for Barakah’s special coverage of the 10 trips). We celebrate with the Jamat in India during this historic visit and look forward to providing coverage over the next week.
~~~~~~~~
MEDIA COVERAGE
(Selected links from external media)
- The Print India: Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrives in India for historic first visit: Meeting Modi, Shah, Jaishankar
- The Ismaili: Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Delhi
- Akashvani News: 50th Imam of Ismaili community Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrives in New Delhi on maiden visit to India
- The Times of India: Rahim Aga Khan V to visit Gujarat on Sep 11, 12
- FM Bharat: Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrives in India for week-long visit
- ANI: Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrives in New Delhi for week-long maiden visit
~~~~~~~~
Social Media Coverage
(Selected links – we will strive to avoid duplicate posts referencing the same news item)
Post(s) on X
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
Post(s) on Facebook
~~~~~~~~
YouTube Video: Ismaili Update 1
The Ismaili Update 1 features Mawlana Hazar Imam’s arrival in New Delhi on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, as he commences his 7-day visit to India.
Date posted: September 9, 2026.
Last updated: September 13, 2026.
________________
Please click SUBSCRIBE and enter your email address to receive update notifications from Barakah. Before you leave, remember that Barakah’s editor, Malik, is here to assist you. If you have any questions or feedback, please scroll down to leave a comment or send an email to mmerchant@barakah.com. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the diverse and extensive content on Barakah’s Home Page or Table of Contents, with over 400 pieces dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat. And don’t forget to visit our sister websites, Simerg and Simergphotos. You can stay updated by following Malik on @Facebook, @X, @LinkedIn and @Instagram and by subscribing to Barakah.
Barakah 