His Highness the Aga Khan Iii
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A SPECIAL SERIES BY WWW.SIMERG.COM THE IMAM OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC REVOLUTION HAZRAT IMAM SULTAN MOHAMED SHAH HIS HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN III (2 NOVEMBER 1877 – 11 JULY 1957) Copyright © 2011 by Simerg Incorporated His Highness the Aga Khan III 1 A Special Series by Simerg.com PUBLISHER’S NOTE In 2009, we published a special series on Hazrat Imam Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah (a.s), His Highness the Aga Khan III (1877 – 1957) on the occasion of his 132nd birth anniversary. Now, two years later, as we mark his 134th birth anniversary on November 2, we are pleased to publish this PDF file containing articles from the original series as well as material that has since been added. You may download this PDF file for your personal use, with a request to respect the rights of the copyright holders of articles and images. Abdulmalik Merchant www.simerg.com Ottawa, CANADA November 2, 2011 His Highness the Aga Khan III 2 A Special Series by Simerg.com CONTENTS 1. Successor and a Son Reflect on Accomplishments of the 48th Ismaili Imam 2. The Imam of the Socio-Economic Revolution 3. A Muslim’s Analysis of Lessons that Can be Learnt from the 48th Ismaili Imam 4. A “Mendicant” Who Transformed a Dream into Reality and Stirred the Soul of a Bitter Critic 5. Recollection of Imam’s Visit to a Family Shop; A Story about the Diamond Jubilee Scale and…Does it (Still) Work? 6. Imam's Message in South Africa Addressed Artificial Barriers, Unity, Education for All, and Damaging Social Habits 7. The Road to Happiness and the Concept of Life 8. Defender of Islam, Activist for Justice and Equality, Confidence Booste r, And Deliverer of Joy 9. Eloquent Persian Quatrain by 48th Ismaili Imam Graces a 1923 Invitation for Talk about Imamat 10. Titles, Decorations and Honours Conferred on 48th Ismaili Imam; 72 Year Reign Spanned Six British Monarchs and Seventeen Prime Mini sters 11. Historic Photos and Imam’s Recognition of Services Rendered by the Family of Itmadi Kassam Kothari of Jamnagar 12. Imam Speaks of Burmese Patriotism; Memorial Plate at Jamatkhana Honours 31 Ismaili Lives Lost in WWII Bombardment 13. The 48th Ismaili Imam at the Ritz: “Calm Mind, Clear-Thinking and Wise”, A Reporter’s 1933 Story 14. Ismailis Celebrated Longest Imamat in History with Three Magnificent Jubilees 15. Lakhpaty’s Intriguing Poster for 48th Ismaili Imam’s Diamond Jubilee Shows Artistic Ingenuity His Highness the Aga Khan III 3 A Special Series by Simerg.com 16. The Diamond Jubilee: “An Incomparable Occasion in the World” 17. 48th Ismaili Imam's Platinum Jubilee: World Evolved from Candle Lights and Horse Carriages to Nuclear Physics and Jet Travel 18. Long Reign Ends 19. The Face of Imamat Post series articles: 20. Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah – An Astonishing and Extraordinary Personality 21. Photos of the Mausoleum of His Highness the Aga Khan III in Aswan 22. Yakimour 1954: A Golden Moment for an Aspiring Student – An Audience with the 48th Ismaili Imam 23. A Unique Moment in the Life of the Punjab Jamat 24. 13th-14th Century “Avatar” Discourses; 1885 – Aga Khan III Investiture; 1907 – Aga Khan III in New York 25. Collection: "The Aga Khan’s Horses" – 1938 Limited Edition, Number 81, Signed by the Aga Khan 26. Photos of Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III 27. “The Memoirs of Aga Khan" in Seven Languages 28. “The Memoirs of Aga Khan”: A Translator’s Voice His Highness the Aga Khan III 4 A Special Series by Simerg.com 1: Successor and a Son Reflect on Accomplishments of the 48th Ismaili Imam A mid 20th century portrait of the family of the late Aga Khan, seated above on a wheel-chair. Standing next to him is his grand-daughter, Princess Yasmin. Standing from left to right - grandson Prince Amyn Muhammad, his two sons the late Prince Sadruddin and Prince Aly Khan (holding daughter), and second grandson Prince Karim, the present Imam. Photo: Zul Khoja Collection, Ottawa. His Highness the Aga Khan III 5 A Special Series by Simerg.com “My Beloved Grandfather” by His Highness the Aga Khan Today, I am speaking to you in a city and in a country which have a particular meaning to my family and myself. On 2nd November, 1877 my beloved grandfather was born here in Karachi. Through 72 years of Imamat, he guided his spiritual children to happiness and prosperity. (Karachi, August 4, 1957) Many many memories come to our minds as we think of him. He achieved in his life, for our community that which could only have been accomplished normally in a period of many generations. The tributes that the world has paid him bear honest testimony to his great life and work. (Takht Nashini, Karachi, January 23, 1958) My grandfather was a most gifted person, and amongst his many qualities, one of them had always particularly impressed me. While the past was a book he had read and re-read many times, the future was just one more literary work of art into which he used to pour himself with deep thought and concentration. Innumerable people since his death have told me how he used to read in the future, and this certainly was one of his very great strengths. As a child I used to listen to him for many hours on end and I think, in fact I am convinced, that it was his inspiration which has created in me such a strong interest in the future, while at the same time, guiding me to learn from the teaching books of the past. (Karachi, May 12, 1964) ____________________ The Ismaili Community’s Magnificent Transformation in a 100 Years by the late Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan (17 January 1933 – 12 May 2003) My Dear Chairman, Distinguished Members of the Council, Mukhi/Kamadias, My Brothers and Sisters, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all of you for the wonderful welcome which you have extended to us here this evening. I know that I reflect the view of my wife and of our guests when I say that we are so happy to be here in Mombasa with all of you tonight. You know that for us it is always a moment which we look forward to, to be able to return to Bahati, to enjoy the peace and quiet of this beautiful country and to meet so many old friends with whom we have a very warm and a very personal friendship. I would like to thank our Chairman, Mr. Lutaf Merali, for his kind words and also thank the Council members for giving us this splendid gift on the occasion of my birthday, which is going to be on 17th of January. His Highness the Aga Khan III 6 A Special Series by Simerg.com You mentioned, Mr. Chairman, that the year which just elapsed [1977] was a very special year. Indeed, during the week of the 2nd of November 1977, which was the day of the Centenary of my late father’s birth, Sultan Mahomed Shah, my wife and I had the privilege of being with the Ismaili community in New York City. That day happened to co-incide with my annual visit to United Nations for the General Assembly, and since we wanted very much to be with the Ismaili Jamat on that occasion and since we had to be in New York, we arranged to spend the evening with the New York Jamat in a hall which was specially rented for that occasion and I could not help but think back to what the Ismaili community was 100 years ago. It was largely unknown, it was largely concentrated in but a few countries and, generally, it had not yet adapted itself to all the changes, all the development of the historical revolution of the world and then a short one hundred years during the Imamat of my late father, look what the Ismaili community has become. Wherever the Jamat has settled, they have established a wonderful reputation for itself. They have always been respected for the peaceful and progressive manner in which they have succeeded in establishing good relation with their neighbours. They have been given credit – the credit they deserve – by the Governments of the countries where they have lived, they have been able to adapt themselves to change, to modern times; the younger generations have understood the need for modern education, they have learnt new languages, when they have become up-rooted because of circumstances, sometimes when they have become refugees even they (the younger generations) have succeeded in adapting themselves to new continents, to new ways of life and at the same time they have not lost their sense of unity, their sense of belonging, their sense of history and their religious faith, and I am absolutely convinced that this is what has made the Ismaili Community strong. This has made it resilient; this has allowed it to prosper and to develop. These are the qualities which the Ismailis are well known for. So, in a 100 years a great deal has been accomplished and I think we are fortunate indeed to be able to have the guidance, the advice of the young, able and so International Imam as the Present Imam, Shah Karim al- Husseini - someone who has an understanding for the challenge of the 1980’s and who can be relied upon to give the Ismaili Community the guidance which it needs in this particular day and age. These are the traditions of which we are proud and this is one of the reasons why I am so happy again to be with all of you here this evening.