July 10, 2016

Imamat Day Mubarak Message from the Ismaili Institutions of Canada

On behalf of the Jamati Institutions in Canada, we extend our warmest Imamat Day Mubarak to you and your families.

Imamat Day is a time to reflect on how fortunate we are to have been guided by our Imam-e Zaman, Imam of the Time, in our spiritual and material lives, through intense political and economic changes, rapid technological advancements, and an accelerated rate of social change over the past 59 years.

In his citation during the recent ceremony bestowing an honorary degree upon Mawlana Hazar Imam, University of St. Michael's College President David Mulroney stated: “Let us celebrate today our own connection to His Highness, a champion of pluralism, a transcender of borders and barriers, and a great, wise and benevolent connector…”

As we celebrate and contemplate, let us express our humble shukrana for Hazar Imam’s care, love, and guidance and all his efforts for all of humanity.

We hope that this special occasion offers you, your families and loved ones an opportunity to pause and celebrate together. We wish you a joyous Imamat Day.

 

Zahir Bhatia
Mukhisaheb, Darkhana Jamatkhana

Dr. Kabir Jivraj
Chairman, Ismaili Tariqah & Religious Education Board for Canada

Amir Lakhani
Chairman, Grants & Review Board for Canada

Karim Sunderji
Chairman, Conciliation & Arbitration Board for Canada

Malik Talib
President, Aga Khan Council for Canada

 

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Imamat Day Message from the Ontario Leadership

On behalf of the Jamati Institutions in Ontario, we extend our warmest felicitations and Mubarakbadis to every member of the Jamat on the auspicious occasion of the 59th Imamat Day of our beloved Mawlana Hazar Imam.

Imamat Day is an occasion to reflect, rejoice and express our immense gratitude to Mawlana Hazar Imam for His continuous guidance and blessings through which the worldwide Jamat's material and spiritual well-being continues to strengthen.

We continue to experience transitions in our Jamatkhana spaces. The Sudbury Jamat recently moved into a beautifully renovated Jamatkhana. 18 months after our weekend school halls transitioned into permanent Jamatkhanas, Inshallah, we will see our last Toronto weekend Jamatkhana, Downtown Toronto, transition to a daily Jamatkhana in the coming weeks. Changes in Jamatkhana spaces impact the Jamat, and we recognize these transitions are not always easy. We hope the Jamat will continue to embrace the beautiful permanent Jamatkhana spaces we continue to be privileged to enjoy, and that these spaces help to strengthen the sense of identity and permanency of our Ontario Jamat.

We take this opportunity to recognize and congratulate all Ontario athletes, coaches and supporters who will be heading to the Jubilee Games in Dubai later this month to represent Team Canada. As members of the Canadian delegation, our athletes and coaches will live up to the Imam's high standards and expectations of the Canadian Jamat and will have the chance to celebrate our diverse cultural, social, and linguistic traditions as a global Jamat.

Our Jamat is living in an increasingly challenging world. Seniors are experiencing age-related social and health challenges. Our students remain under multiple pressures in excelling academically and in other areas of their lives. Poverty and mental health issues appear to be on the rise. To help improve the quality of life of our Jamat, we have raised awareness to foster a stronger culture of Jamat helping Jamat, and to strengthen the bonds of community. Many of our platforms and infrastructure are being re-tooled to adapt to these many changes. Most recently, we have rolled out a Jamatkhana-based Quality of Life service-delivery program in all Ontario Jamatkhanas to help lift families out of poverty and to help improve the quality of our lives.

Programs and activities that benefit various segments of our Jamat rely on the time, commitment and leadership of our wonderful badged and unbadged volunteers. Our Jamat's capacity to execute on many initiatives is enhanced immensely from the contribution of these dedicated individuals. We respectfully express our appreciation and gratitude to all our volunteers and acknowledge what an honour it is to be serving alongside each of you.

We would also like to acknowledge the Jamat's consistent and ongoing support for Institutional programs and initiatives. The unity, diversity and talent of our Jamat continues to be strengthened and we look to the Jamat's continued support in achieving Mawlana Hazar Imam's vision for the Canadian Jamat.

On this Imamat Day, let us reaffirm our allegiance and gratitude to Mawlana Hazar Imam for His benevolence and guidance, and renew our commitment to the ethics of the faith. We pray for unity, barakat, good health, safety, and the spiritual and material success of the worldwide Jamat.

Imamat Day Mubarak.

 

Dr. Moez Rajwani
Mukhisaheb, Headquarters Jamatkhana

Amir Mirshahi
Chairman, ITREB Ontario

Hussein Sunderji
Chairman, Grants and Review Board for Ontario

Karim Kurji
Chairman, Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Ontario

Sheherazade Hirji
President, Aga Khan Council for Ontario