Ismaili flag & New Ismaili Constitution of 1986 :

Mawlana Hazar Imam ordained the new Ismaili Constitution on Saturday, December 13, 1986 at Merimont in Geneva. Leaders of the jamat who were mandated to work on the new Ismaili Constitution had come from various parts of the world. It was indeed a historic occasion where the family members of the Imam, members of the Constitution Review Committee and the staff of the Secretariat from Aiglemont were present. At 11.00 a.m., the Imam ordained, signed and sealed "The Constitution of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims"

It is clearly seen in the photo of Hazar Imam when he was ordaining the New Ismaili Constitution that there was a small Ismaili flag on Imam's table, having an image of the Coat-of-Arms, i.e., the monogram of a crown (taj) on it. This is a royal monogram which was originally presented by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah after his gracious arrival in India from Europe on March 2, 1920. Lt. Col. Pir Muhammad Madhani and Major A.J. Lakhpati had acknowledged its receipt on behalf of the volunteers Corps of Bombay at Imam's bungalow in Bombay on Saturday, April 3, 1920. The Imam said to them during presentation that, "Get such Coat-of-Arms prepared and every volunteer should wear it on his cap."

It should be noted that the new Constitution does not allow any Ismaili to misuse the Ismaili flag or its colours for any other purpose. Accordingly, the Article of the Constitution clearly lays down that:-

16 .2        IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE  HISTORY  AND  TRADITION  OF  THE JAMAT, 
                THERE  SHALL BE:

    (a)       AN ISMAILI FLAG  IN THE  FORM  AND  COLOURS  SET  OUT  IN  THE TENTH
                SCHEDULE HERETO  SUBJECT TO SUCH CODE AS TO THE USAGE  THEREOF
                AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED FROM TIME TO TIME BY MAWLANA HAZAR IMAM.
   
                             16.3        NO  PERSON  SHALL  USE  THE  ISMAILI  FLAG  OR   THE   COLOURS  OF  THE 
                ISMAILI  FLAG  IN  CONFIGURATION   RESEMBLING  THE   ISMAILI FLAG OR
                THE   NASHID   AL-IMAMAH   FOR   ANY   COMMERCIAL,   ADVERTISEMENT,
                PUBLICITY,   PROPAGANDA  OR  SIMILAR  PURPOSES.

It is a key point to note that the word "My Flag" is not referred to in the New Ismaili Constitution, but the word "Ismaili flag" is simply used instead.

The Ismaili flag is flown on the Jamatkhana, mostly on special festive occasions, the gracious arrival of the Imam and the day when the Imam sends any farman to the jamat. As soon as the occasion is over, the flag is required to be removed and folded up. It is quite improper to keep it fluttering for days together or to use it with faded colours. It is common for flags to be hoisted at sunrise and hauled down at sunset.

In conclusion, we will quote from "Haft Bab" (Bombay, 1959, p. 40) by Abu Ishaq Kohistani as saying:-

"All the Imams are Mawlana Ali, all are one. And if he sometimes appears young, and another time old, or an infant, this is done in order that the world and humanity may remain as it is. And Mustafa said that Ali ibn Abi Talib, may God beautify his countenance, on the day of Resurrection will raise the banner of the qiyamat single-handed."


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