Malik Merchant

Editor Simerg and Barakah: Blogs focusing on the artistic, textual & intellectual expressions of Ismaili Muslims and celebrating the Imamat of the Aga Khan.

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

During my recent visit to #watertonlakesnationalpark to see the #fallcolors, I set out to read all the printed books containing 40 Farmans delivered by Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, to his Ismaili community since becoming the 50th Hereditary Imam. I did this over several hours at the #RedRockCanyon. Read my story and see the beautiful pictures. Click https://t.co/xxGtZwY5Z1

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

Barakah celebrates the 55th birthday of His Highness the #AgaKhan, and his second since he became the 50th #Ismaili Imam, in two separate posts. Part 2 covers the 20-month Imamat period between February 4, 2025, and October 12, 2026. It links to Part 1, which spans 1971 to February 2025. Please click https://t.co/cpfseIaiJw

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

I did a little bit of exploring at #LakeOhara in #YohoNationalPark after winning a dream shuttle lottery. Read my beautiful post: click https://t.co/55x8ka6MPy.

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

Barakah covers Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif's meeting with His Highness the #AgaKhan, the 50th Hereditary #Ismaili Imam, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. His Highness also met President Ruto of Kenya and Tom Barrack, the US Envoy to Syria. Click https://t.co/rQeCOYkD0q

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

An updated post about Princess #ZahraAgaKhan on her 56th birthday, as she continues to support the work of the #IsmailiImamat. Please click https://t.co/B4Ub0gzqfT

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

Over the past week, I have been occupied with posts about His Highness the Aga Khan's historic visit to India. It has indeed been a joy compiling the reports, and the #Ismaili community in India was overjoyed with the Didar the #Agakhan bestowed upon them. I'm now sharing a vibrant post that I hope everyone will enjoy! It is all about flowers. Please click and share https://t.co/7xZ0fySBjk.

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

Every day, Barakah brings you the latest news and ongoing updates on the historic visit of His Highness the #AgaKhan to India. September 13 marks the 5th day of the visit, which has included Didars with his #Ismaili Jamat in Gujarat. Our coverage includes links to media articles, social media posts, and videos. Don't miss out on our amazing coverage of the 50th Ismaili Imam's visit. Click https://t.co/4AR6OcWaJz

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

Barakah presents a tribute to Prince #AmynAgaKhan as he turns 89 on September 12, 2026. His lifelong service to the #Ismaili Imamat and the Ismaili community has left an indelible mark, inspiring and benefiting countless individuals. Please click https://t.co/KAYDUlm9SN

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

His Highness the #AgaKhan has begun his visit to India, his first since becoming the 50th Hereditary #Ismaili Imam on February 4, 2025. This visit follows ten previous visits to nine countries. Barakah is pleased to launch a special page dedicated to this visit. Please visit https://t.co/4AR6OcWaJz

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

@YeshiSeli A little bit of education - please click https://t.co/gla0f5SmNU

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

In my post on Barakah -- and reposted on Simerg -- I earnestly urge the Jamat of India to make it a regular practice to recite Salawat, whether alone or with family, especially as Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the #AgaKhan, visits the country shortly. The post also features Shiraz Pradhan's excellent article on the profound significance of Salawat, drawing on the Prophet’s traditions, Qur’anic verses, and #Ismaili literature. Please share widely so that family and friends can benefit from Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Didar during his upcoming visit to India. Click https://t.co/u4S0QWB6sg

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

Jalal Badakhshani, a prominent #Ismaili scholar who served for decades at the Institute of Ismaili Studies, has passed away in London. In honour of his contributions, Simerg pays tribute to him with a nine-page treatise on the Ismaili Imamat, which he co-authored with Rafik Keshavjee for the esteemed Ismaili community religious magazine, Ilm. For more information, please visit: https://t.co/675DId4haB

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

ABSOLUTELY A MUST READ: With the recent designation of #Alamut and its associated fortresses in Iran as a #UNESCO World Heritage Site, we feature this news and revisit a remarkable story by Dr. Ali M. Rajput, an 84-year-old Ismaili professor of mathematics at Birmingham University, who climbed to the fort in 2007. He has since passed away (may his soul rest in eternal peace). Dr. Rajput's account of his first sight of Alamut and of standing on the "castle's sacred grounds" is truly inspiring and worth reading. Please click https://t.co/HTkcv99nfF.

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

Alamut Castle Inscribed on the UNESCO - ADVENTURE IRAN Official Website - Iranian Tour Operator and Travel Agency https://t.co/9HBS6vURfu

Alamut Castle and Its Historic Fortresses Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. With 30 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list, including two natural sites, Iran is now among the top 10 countries in the world with officially designated sites on the UNESCO list. This piece about Ismaili strongholds in Iran on the website of AdventureIran is a must-read.

Excerpts: "Rising above the cliffs, Alamut is far more than an ancient fortress. It is a symbol of resilience, strategic ingenuity, and one of Iran’s most fascinating episodes of medieval history.... Alamut was an extraordinary example of medieval engineering where archaeological studies highlighted its advanced water collection and storage systems. Its carefully designed fortifications, and strategic mountain architecture enabled the fortress to withstand long sieges. Historical records also describe Alamut as a center of scholarship, home to an important library and scientific activities."

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

To all residents of Vancouver and anyone visiting the city, whether alone or with family — and with a few weeks left before schools reopen — I highly recommend biking around Vancouver’s #StanleyPark. You can ride your own bike or rent one from several great rental shops near the start of the bike route," writes Nurin Merchant as she takes her dad for the ride. Read her story and view her amazing photographs of marine wildlife and scenic #Vancouver. Click https://t.co/lR5m0hxbM6

[Malik Merchant @simerg]

Just over two years ago, Houston’s Nazarali Momin submitted historic photos of Mawlana Shah Karim His Late Highness #AgaKhan IV's 1978 visit to Methan, when he laid the foundation stone for a new #Jamatkhana. Nearly 40 years after its opening, the #Ismaili Jamatkhana recently underwent renovations, as documented in this story by Momin. Simergphotos invites you to view and share his beautiful piece. Click https://t.co/8za6jkLZXL.