July 11, 1982

Jamats Worldwide Pay Homage to Hazar Imam

For an Ismaili murid of the Imam, the happiness and joy in beholding the face of Imam-e-Zaman is something which can only be felt and not described. For hundreds of years, Jamats in every part of the world wait eagerly for this moment and in situations where the opportunity for this Zaheri Didar is not possible, representatives of the Jamats, as they have done on the past, travel thousands of miles to see the Imam and express to him the immense love and gratitude of the Jamats. Sunday, July 11th 1982 was one such day that will remain forever in the memories of those who came from far and wide; from the remotest areas of the globe to Aiglemont, to convey the felicitations and express the happiness of millions of murids to their Imam. It was on this day exactly 25 years ago, that Mowlana Hazar Imam acceded to the Masnad If Imamat.

Leaders of the Jamats had come representing Bangladesh, Canada, Europe, India, Kuwait, Kenya, Malagasy Republic, the Middle East, Malaysia, Pakistan, Portugal, Ruwanda, Burundi, Syria, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zaire - more countries than at any other previous jubilee. Dressed in beautiful red ceremonial jubas and gold-braided pagris, they filed into the living room of Mowlana Hazar Imam's house on the morning of 11th July and waited eagerly for Mowlana Hazar Imam. Many could not help think how time had passed - it seemed it was just the other day that Mowlana Hazar Imam had acceded to the Imamat.

Dressed in the Imamat Robe and an astrakhan hat, reminiscent of the historic takhtnishini ceremonies of 1857 and 1958, Mowlana Hazar Imam entered the darbar with Begum Saheba, Princess Zahra, Prince Rahim and Prince Hussain. Sitting on either side of Mowlana Hazar Imam and Begum Saheba were members of the Noorani Family, Mowlana Hazar Imam's mother Princess Tajuddawlah, Mata Salamat Ome Habibeh, Princess Yasmin and Prince Amyn Mohammed. The scene was picturesque, the atmosphere was charged and the exuberance boundless. The meeting represented Imam-e-Zaman's acceptance of the felicitations of each spiritual child present today, and the many other millions in distant corners of the world."

Describing the passage of time and the phenomenal progress attained by the Jamats worldwide, under the dynamic and benign leadership of Hazar Imam, Sir Eboo Pirbhai constantly struggled with his emotions. "It feels"; he said, "as though it was only yesterday that the young Prince Karim became our 49th Imam. On the other hand, the sheer scope and weight of your achievements in this brief time-span makes us feel as though it has been a much, much longer period simply because we feel that it is impossible for so much to be achieved in so brief a time-span". For him, this day constituted an important milestone on the continuation of the "vast work" done by Mowlana Hazar Imam's grandfather.

The sheer magnitude of the achievements "that were to come" could not then be comprehended by the Jamat. For, Sir Eboo said, "as the 49th Ismaili Imam, you have given unstintedly of your time and energy in guiding us on the Siratul-Mustaqim. You are doing so with the paternal, maternal concern and benevolence, and with the indulgence that have been the foundation of the unique link between the Imam and the Jamat since time Immemorial".

Referring to Begum Saheba's contribution and deep concern for Hazar Imam's work, Sir Eboo said, "you hold a very special position in the esteem and affection of the Jamat; we convey congratulations to you, together with our gratitude for the love, affection and care which you give to our Imam and your family".

Sir Eboo expressed the happiness of the Jamats worldwide to the Noorani Family for being present on this auspicious occasion. With tears in his eyes, on behalf of every spiritual child, young and old, he pledged total support to all Imam-e-Zaman's efforts and activities, for the Jamat and for the entire humankind.

Mowlana Hazar Imam referred to this day as an "historical occasion" on which his thoughts turned to his grandfather Hazrat Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah whose "understanding of Islam, wisdom and hopes for his Jamat has been such a great source of inspiration".

Reflecting on the past quarter century since which time the Jamat had become more widely spread across the world, Hazar Imam said that, in the social and economic development fields, new projects and new programmes were being created, "Introversion and isolation have changed into outreach. Walls are removed to be replaced by bridges - to other communities, to other tariqas, to new countries."

Referring to the future, Hazar Imam said, "we must continue to build on solid foundations. Let us strengthen today's fabric of institutions and programmes so as to have them contribute the full impact of their potential on our quality of life" Hazar Imam referred to issues which will have to be addressed in the future and said this should be done with "faith and courage, guided by the true spirit and meaning of Islam - to the precepts of which we should demonstrate our attachment in every facet of our lives".

Mowlana Hazar Imam gave his "most special paternal maternal loving blessings to every Ismaili for peace, for happiness, for good health, for the unity of his family, for progress and that he may remain staunch on the path of siratul-Mustaqim".

Jamats worldwide, are now waiting eagerly for the Silver Jubilee visits so that they could have the opportunity of expressing their felicitations in person to Imam-e-Zaman. It will be a year in which, once again, Ismailis will be able to continue the glorious contribution they have made to improving the quality of life under the guidance of Mowlana Hazar Imam.

Source: Africa Ismaili


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