Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

A Murid is quite entitled to speak to his Imam during Mehmani. Imam does listen, interact with and guide Murids during Mehmanis. Although reluctant, even Mr Bhaloo came around to this conclusion.

[Note: Extracts of Federal Court Transcripts of Cross-Examinations held August 2010 for Summary Judgement Motions in the Aga Khan Copyright Lawsuit
Sections starting with N. Tajdin #... Means Nagib Tajdin is the one answering questions in the next section
Sections starting with Jiwa #... Means Alnaz Jiwa is the one answering questions in the next section
Sections starting with Sachedina #... Means Shafik Sachedina is the one answering questions in the next section
Sections starting with Bhaloo #... Means Aziz Bhaloo is the one answering questions in the next section
]

---

Sachedina #179 - #183:
Cross-Examination by Mr Jiwa.
Q. All right. And would you agree with me that the purpose here is for the Imam to interact with that murid when he presents the mehmani?
A. If he wishes to do so.
Q. And often he will do so himself?
A. It is up to the Imam.
Q. No, we know it's up to the Imam. But often he does interact with the murid himself even without being asked?
A. Yes, it does happen.
Q. It does happen, right. And there is no restriction on that murid from talking to his Imam?
A. The murid is quite entitled to speak to his Imam if he wishes to do.
Q. And some do?
A. Some do, some don't.

---

Sachedina #195 - #199:
Cross-Examination by Mr Jiwa.
Q. However, if anybody wished to talk to the Imam, he can talk to the Imam?
A. It's the right of the murids, right.
Q. And to your knowledge, because you have been extensively involved in the jamat, and you were in 1994, which was a lot larger jamat than the Montreal jamat, to your knowledge, when that murid asked the Imam a question, the very purpose for the mehmani is for the Imam to respond and guide that murid?
A. Yes. The Imam, it's at his mercy and pleasure.
Q. And that's the purpose he does these mehmanis --
A. Yes.
Q. -- is to guide? Would you also agree with me that this mehmani is personal and not published? Like, you know, the whole jamat who is sitting there, they don't hear what's happening between the Imam and the murid.
A. Yes, it is done in the context of closeness with the murid and the murshid. But there are people standing nearby who are also observing, and the jamat observes what's happening. So there are always people who know but they can't listen.
Q. They can't. Because they are just observing?
A. (Deponent nods head up and down).

---

Bhaloo #67:
Cross-Examination by Mr Jiwa.
Q. ...My question was: Is the murid who presents the mehmani prohibited from asking the question orally to the Imam without giving any memorandum in writing?
A. It's not a generally-done thing.

---

Bhaloo #96 - #98:
Q. And do you recall during that '78 visit, His Highness a number of times said he wants to listen to specially the mehmanis that are represented so the jamat to remain calm?
A. Yes, I remember.
Q. He said that on a number of occasions?
A. Yes.
Q. And then he specified that he wishes to listen to what his murids tell him, and he wants quiet in the jamat so he can listen; he said that a number of times?
A. Yes.