Anar Jamal
January 26, 2017
On January 14, Calgary’s Ismailis celebrated the 20th anniversary of their Headquarters Jamatkhana. Over 1200 Jamati members and leaders enjoyed entertainment, food and dancing throughout the evening.
Dr. Salim Sumar, past president for the Council for the Prairies, chronicled the history of the Jamatkhana prior to its opening from 1988-1997. Sumar said it was a long process, which required a complete commitment of heart, mind and soul. He recalled how happy he felt sharing the news that Mawlana Hazar Imam had approved construction of Headquarters during his 1992 visit.
Headquarters Jamatkhana’s inauguration took place in January 1997 led by President for the Council for the Prairies at the time, Dr. Kabir Jivraj. “The opening of the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana and Centre marked the next phase of the Jamat's settlement in the Prairies,” he said. “It affirmed the presence and permanence of the Jamat in the region.”
Al-Karim Walli, one of the Jamatkhana’s original tour guides when it opened, said he gave tours to thousands in the first decade. “Some classes from University of Calgary came through regularly. We had the Leadership Calgary program come through for three consecutive years,” he said. “‘Break-the-fast’ sunset breakfast during the month of Ramadan really gained the broader community's attention.”
Fauzia Lalani-Khudabux, Current President for the Council for the Prairies, added that Headquarters has become a pivotal point for the Ismaili community in a number of ways. It is a place of congregation and prayer rich with incredible diversity and vibrancy.
Farouk Noormohamed, the Jamatkhana’s architect, used materials and design elements reminiscent of the Great Mosque of Cordoba, Spain with grey bricks accenting the facade.
The evening’s celebration included a musical concert featuring performers Bashir Somani, Karim Bhoja, Karima Daya, Nazlin Lakhani and Tazim Kurji who had performed at the Jamatkhana’s opening 20 years prior. Other guest performers included Rohulla Hussain Zada, Suhaila Khedri, Shamim Khan and Barkat Ali, Altaz Ibrahim, Hanif Peermohamed, Saranjot Singh and Tamiz Ibrahim.
“Ever since Penbrooke Jamatkhana closed twenty years ago, I started coming to Headquarters,” said Shirin Kassam, a long-time attendee of the Jamatkhana. “Every time I am out of town I really miss my Jamatkhana. It is very near and dear to me.”
Mukhisaheb Karim Rayani spoke to the Jamat, reflecting on the sense of belonging and community the building has provided.
“We are truly blessed when you consider there are murids around the world who don’t have Jamatkhanas, and how fortunate we are to live in a city that has such wonderful spaces for gathering and community building."