Poem: Inspired by the Navroz Spring, by Nadim Pabani

Inspired by the Navroz Spring

Nadim Pabani

Inspired by the Navroz Spring,

An ode for Imam-e-Zaman we sing.

Seeing the birds outside take flight,

Line by line we begin to write.

So now we wish to begin this rhyme,

For the Master of the Age and Time

To glorify your Light that shines,

We are moved to write each line.

But how can human language

Begin to describe, begin to capture, begin to give justice to your greatness,

To quote the words of the Prophet, a Muslim void of love for Ali is faithless.

But this Murid will try his very best,

To help others realise that you are the Light of the East and West,

You refrain from seeking worldly might,

Even though, this is your God given right.

A King without a Kingdom,

An Emperor without a State,

al-Mustafa (Muhammad the ‘Chosen’) the City of Knowledge,

And my Lord Ali, thou art the Gate.

So how worthless is this worldly power,

when day by day we approach the Hour,

We seek to behold your luminous reality,

For you are the Light of both Ali and Nabi.

Guiding your believers on their journey through life,

Showering them with blessings through struggle and their strife.

How can we repay Our Beloved Imam?

Who’s guidance and Rahma (mercy) keeps us from harm.

We know that we will never be free,

Until we see the Light of Mawla Murtaza Ali.

—

About the author: Nadim Pabani, a resident of London, UK, obtained his Undergraduate Bachelor of Laws with Honours Degree from City University, London in Law and Property Valuation (LLB). Currently he is studying at The University of Edinburgh for a Masters as part of the MSc in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. His interests lie in the fields of Islamic (and more specifically Ismaili) History, Philosophy and Theology. His Masters Dissertation will involve a comparative study of the Fatimid and Alamut conceptions of the Qaim and Qiyamah with particular reference to the works of Nasir-i Khusraw, Nasir al-Din al-Tusi and Hasan Mahmud, in order to explain the shift in doctrine between these two distinct phases of Nizari Ismaili history.

Yaha(n) Navroz-i Aalam Hay

Artist: Meher Angez

Artist: Misbah Saleem

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Yaha(n) Navroz-i Aalam Hay by Meher Angez
Yaha(n) Navroz-i Aalam Hay by Misbah Saleem

The Diacritical Point and Hazrat Ali (a.s.) by Hussein Rashid

By Hussein Rashid

Some months ago when I first wrote this piece, I was thinking about the beginning of Ramadan. Today, a few months on I am thinking about the beginning of Navroz, the Persian New Year. There are beginnings everywhere. The Qur’an begins with the fatihah. There is a tradition that the entirety of the knowledge of the Qur’an can be found in the fatihah; the entire fatihah is contained in the first line, bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim, everything in that phrase is found in bismillah; all of that knowledge is found in the first letter, beh – a boat-shaped letter with a dot underneath; all of the knowledge of the beh is found in the dot, and that dot is Hazrat Ali. The fatihah begins our prayers; it begins our interaction with revelation. All of that is encompassed in a dot. That dot is Hazrat Ali. The first dot of the Qur’an, the meaning of the Qur’an, the beginning of the line of Imams, Hazrat Ali (a.s.). Who is the king of men? Who is the Lion of God? Who is the hero without peer? Who is Hazrat Ali?

Click here to read http://simerg.com/literary-readings/.

Minister Kenney issues statement to recognize Canada’s Ismaili Muslim Community as they celebrate Navroz

Ottawa, March 20, 2012 – The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement to recognize Canada’s Ismaili Muslim Community as it celebrates Navroz:

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to extend my best wishes to all members of Canada’s Ismaili Muslim community as they celebrate Navroz in the days ahead.

“Navroz is a time for families to get together to celebrate new beginnings, to visit friends and family and to be thankful for the many blessings of abundance that we all enjoy in Canada.

“I would also like to take to take this opportunity to commend Canada’s Ismaili community, which has contributed greatly to our country’s rich heritage and to our pluralistic character.

“We have been honoured by frequent visits from the Aga Khan as he continues his work in spreading the positive message of the Global Centre for Pluralism, which is headquartered in Canada. His extraordinary example of compassion and tolerance is an inspiration to all Canadians. This is why we were proud to bestow honourary Canadian citizenship on the Aga Khan to honour his work as a bridge-builder between faiths and cultures.

“As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I wish all members of Canada’s Ismaili Muslim community a Navroz Mubarak.”

Source: Message sent by Honorable Minister Kenney’s office to Ismailimail via email.

Navroz Mubarak! Amaana.org

A cross-cultural celebration of the New Year, the first day of the Spring astrological Equinox, solar birthday anniversary of our Imam Ali hence the name Newruz Sultan.

“It was on Navroz that Adam was created, that God made a covenant with the souls, that Abraham destroyed the pagan idols, that the Prophet of Islam received first revelation, that the Prophet took Ali on his shoulders to smash 360 idols in Mecca, and most important of all, that he declared Ali as his legitimate successor.” – Imam Jafar Sadiq quoted in Bihar al-Anwar

Navroz Mubarak! Eid Mubarak! Eid-e Shoma Mobarak! Sultan Newruz! Nawruz Navroz – New Year, Birthday of Imam Hazrat Ali, Newruz Sultan – March 21, 2011 Amaana.org.

VEEN TARA … by S Raheemani (Navroz 2012 Tribute)

All related

@Simerg.com: Invitation to Contribute Poetry for Navroz, the Persian New Year

With Iran so much in the limelight, Simerg seems to have been drawn into the country too, but for a different reason – to showcase some of the country’s rich and vibrant culture with a portrayal of its people, foods, and historical treasures. Nevin and Muslim Harji’s photos of Iran that we are publishing this and next week bring to light the splendours of Iran.

At Simerg we have have decided we wish to remain with Iran for some more time, and for a very good reason. For thousands of years, the country has celebrated the joyous arrival of spring with the celebration of Navroz. We want you to tell us in a short poem how you view the arrival of spring and the beautiful changes the season brings forth with it. How does spring or the festival of Navroz inspire and invigorate you? You are invited to participate by submitting a poem on the theme “Springtime Renewal” or “Springtime Change.”

Details: “Springtime Renewal” – Invitation to Contribute Poetry for Navroz, the Persian New Year, and Win an Anthology «.

Nowruz: Rite of spring – in pictures

Often known as Persian New Year, Nowruz is an ancient festival marking the spring equinox. It is celebrated from Iran to north-western China

via http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2011/mar/21/iran-china

Simerg: Unique Digital image of Mawlana Hazar Imam, by graphic artist Akbar Kanji

NAVROZ MUBARAK: “The Closer You Come the More You Will See Him”

The mosaic portrait shown below was created with fifteen hundred different images of our beloved Hazar Imam from his birth to the celebration of his Golden Jubilee. The portrait has been made with passion and lots of artistic efforts such as collections of pictures from various sources, resizing, reshaping, color corrections, arrangements and proper placements.

For artist Akbar Kanji of Toronto, the concept is to “portray our Imam’s entire life and his dedications at a glance which we cannot imagine until we come closer to him.”

Click A Unique Digital Portrait of His Highness the Aga Khan by Akbar Kanji to read story and view enlargements of this masterpiece.

Nowrūz Mubarak – Jersey City Immigrant Culture | Examiner.com

This March, the 3000-year-old Iranian cultural festival of Nowrūz (and its local variations) will be celebrated in countries around the world, including Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Albania, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kosovo, Turkey, India, Armenia, Pakistan, and Bosnia. The festival is also an auspicious occasion for the Zoroastrians, Sufis, Ismailis and the Bahá’ís who claim to have Iranian roots.

Naw’roz-When Spring Blossoms and Nightingale Sings « Nooru’s Blog

Naw’roz (New day) comes when spring blossoms on Earth, when the trees are crowned with leaves, when you hear the nightingale pour out its song for the rose, when the orchards hang out its lanterns and the dead stumbling by in-shrouds. It is a season to celebrate, to enjoy and an expression of elation for body’s soul. To experience this magnificent beauty of nature my soul goes on dancing.

NovRuz Mubarak : Prayers, promises and hope spring forth for a better new year – The Express Tribune Pakistan

For some families, the parties started Sunday night, with a dance at Beach Luxury Hotel, and the celebrations and thanksgiving will continue into today, Monday, that marks, as March 21, the advent of spring or NovRuz.

–snip–

Ismailis too celebrate NovRuz with prayers and new-year resolutions, starting as early as 4 am. “We go to the Jamaat Khana for namaz that ends at around 6 am,” described Ali Jiwani

Celebrating Navroz, the Persian New Year; Ginan and Poetry « Simerg

Celebrating Navroz, the Persian New Year; Ginan and Poetry « Simerg.

Minister Kenney issues statement to recognize Canada’s Ismaili Muslim Community as they celebrate Navroz

Ottawa, March 19, 2011 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement to recognize Canada’s Ismaili Muslim Community as it celebrates Navroz:

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to extend my best wishes to all members of Canada’s Ismaili Muslim community as they celebrate Navroz in the days ahead.

“Canada has benefited greatly from members of the Ismaili community who have made, and continue to make, great contributions to Canada’s heritage, culture and society.

“We have been honoured as well that the Aga Khan has chosen Ottawa as the site of the Global Centre for Pluralism and the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, and that he is establishing the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre in Toronto.

“These initiatives exemplify the vision of the Aga Khan, who has exerted a profound influence both within and far beyond his community, and has become an extraordinary example of compassion and tolerance.

“The bestowal of honourary Canadian citizenship on the Aga Khan was also a moment of great pride for Canadians. As Prime Minister Harper has said, the Aga Khan’s ‘name has become synonymous with humanitarian aid and development in countries beset by conflict and poverty. Just as importantly, he has worked tirelessly as a bridge-builder between faiths and cultures.’

“The Government of Canada continues to partner with the Aga Khan Foundation as it continues its work in places like Afghanistan for example, where it is providing development, reconstruction and humanitarian assistance to ensure a brighter future for that country.

“Navroz is a time for families to get together to celebrate new beginnings, and to be thankful for the many blessings of abundance that we all enjoy in Canada.

“As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I wish all members of Canada’s Ismaili Muslim community a Navroz Mubarak.”

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?m=%2Findex&nid=598079
http://www.cic.gc.ca/francais/ministere/media/declarations/2011/2011-03-19a.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/statements/2011/2011-03-19a.asp
http://nouvelles.gc.ca/web/article-fra.do?m=%2Findex&nid=598079

Navroz Mubarak! – by Amaana.org

A cross-cultural celebration of the New Year, the first day of the Spring astrological Equinox, solar birthday anniversary of our Imam Ali hence the name Newruz Sultan.

“It was on Navroz that Adam was created, that God made a covenant with the souls, that Abraham destroyed the pagan idols, that the Prophet of Islam received first revelation, that the Prophet took Ali on his shoulders to smash 360 idols in Mecca, and most important of all, that he declared Ali as his legitimate successor.” – Imam Jafar Sadiq quoted in Bihar al-Anwar

Navroz, Nouruz or Newruz means new day. This global celebration of the first day of the vernal equinox is a tradition that started in ancient times and carried on to date with vibrant rejoicing for the new year and its promise. In the Ismaili Muslim tradition, this is also a celebration of the soul’s journey to his Creator, enlightened by the Guide, a spiritual springtime where renewal is carried out by a spring cleaning in the spiritual and earthly world, the Din and Duniya.

More: http://www.amaana.org/navroz/navroz3.htm

Send a Navroz eCard

TheIsmaili.org is pleased to offer its email greeting card service. The free service makes it easy to send Navroz greetings to up to 50 friends and family members at a time. Choose from a selection of nine unique eCard designs, and customise your card with a personal Navroz message.

Easy steps to create and send a Navroz eCard

More at the source: The Ismaili: Send a Navroz eCard.

Poem: Craving Souls and Navruz Mubarak

By Al-Karim Jaffer of Vancouver:

Profile of Al-Karim Jaffer (Vancouver, Canada): Decades of life’s experiences have been instrumental in giving rise to a personal quest. Ignited by numerous events both personal, and by observing the challenges faced by many a people; deep transformations have evolved. A continuous search toward an inner-self has embarked the passion to inscribe.

Embarked upon humble beginnings in Africa, educated in Europe, this soul was further sculpted in the Americas. Along this arduous passage, a cultivating process was under way, in preparation for the future.

A small number of attempts have been made to document these learning’s and in due course it is envisaged to be shared.

Click here to read the poems: http://simerg.com/modern-artistic-expressions

My Id-e Norouz

Eid e Norouzam bovad Didar e Mawlana Karim
Eid e Norouzam bovad goftaar e Mawlana Karim
Arezouie nist bartar andarin aalam maraa
taa bebinam chehreie taabaan e Mawlana Karim
az tou mikhaaham Khodaaiaa haajatam raa kon ravaa
Shie’ie oo baasham o zabraar e Mawlana Karim
az feraagh e rooie oo gardide’am zaar o nezaar
kei shavad roozi maraa Didar e Mawlana Karim
raaz e del raa baa ke gooyam vaaghef e delhaa tooie
raazdaar o moones o deldaar Mawlana Karim
bee tou in Norouz o in aalam beh maa zendaan bovad
daafe’e in band o aazaar Noor Mawlana Karim
zentezaarat gashteh ya Mawla degar sabram tamaam
dar feraagh e khish magzar Mawlana Karim
doostaanat doost daaram doshmanaanat doshmanam
garche gardad peikaram bar daar Mawlana Karim
Shie’ie tou rastegaarast o maraa taaj e saraast
monkeraanat khaar o bee meghdaar Mawlana Karim
bolboli andar ghafas mulla bovad as forghatat
yaa gol e afsordeh dar golzaar Mawlana Karim

My Id e Norouz is the Didar of Mawlana Karim
My Id e Norouz is the Speech of Mawlana Karim
I have no higher ambition in this world
other than seeing the shining face of Mawlana Karim
O Lord please fulfill my prayer
make me His Shia and amongst His followers
Being away from Him has made me weak and in tears
When my Roozi will be the Didar of Mawlana Karim
O Mawlana Karim I share my secrets with you as you know of all the hearts
you keep the secrets, you are the companion, you are the beloved
Without you this Norouz and this world would be a prison to us
Noor Mawlana Karim you free us from this chain and pain
I am now impatient in seeking you
Do not leave us in separation O Mawlana Karim
O Mawlana Karim, Your friends are my friends, your foes are mine
Even if my body is hung
O Mawlana Karim,Your Shia and followers are my lords
those who deny you, are insignificant to me
O Mawlana Karim, ~Mulla in being away from you
is like a singing bird in the cage, or a depressed flower in the garden

~Mulla Zabihullah Chahozi

The author is a contemporary Ismaili poet, now in his late Eighties

When Spring Arrives – Celebrating Navroz, by Raheel Lakhani

“Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which God Sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they Trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth;- (Here) indeed are Signs for a people that are wise.” (Al-Quran, 2:164)

If we don’t follow various calendars that exist in this world and move with time and laws of nature, 21st March marks the New Year when sun leaves the two goldfishes of Pisces, the twelfth sign of zodiac and enters into the first zodiac sign, Aries.

Continue: http://raheellakhani.wordpress.com/2010/03/18/when-spring-arrives-celebrating-navroz/

Devotional Ginan of Navroz

Sayyid Shamsi Seeks Out His Master in Devotional Ginan

Adapted by Simerg from the original article, “Eji Navroz Na Din Sohamna – An Interpretation,” by Sadrudin K. Hassam

An attempt is made in this article to give an interpretation of the devotional Ginan Navroz na din Sohamna, which is recited by Ismaili Jamats in many parts of the world on the occasion of the celebration of the Persian New Year which falls on March 21st. In this ginan the composer, Sayyid Fatehali Shah, relates the combined experience of the zahiri deedar (exoteric or physical glimpse or meeting) that he was granted by the 45th Ismaili Imam, Shah Khalilullah (peace be on him), and the inner joy of contentment and ecstasy that he experienced with the bestowal of Noorani (spiritual or esoteric) grace. At the same time, he gently persuades the mu’min (a believer) to always strive for esoteric understanding as well as to develop a lasting spiritual relationship with the Imam of the Time. It may be noted that in Shia Imami Ismaili theology each Imam is the bearer of the same Divine Light (Noor). The Divine Institution of Imamat has its origins in the first Shia Imam, Hazrat Ali (peace be on him), who was declared as the successor to Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) at the famous historical event at Ghadir-e-Khumm.

Continue: http://simerg.com/literary-readings/

A Spring Poem for Shah Karim, by Laila Lokhandwalla

A Welcome Message to My Beloved

I am weaving together the flowers Shah Karim,
I am making a carpet of flowers,
So give them bloom and give them scent,
By treading my carpet of flowers!

These are the choicest flowers I have gathered for you –
But they bloom only in Spring!

Continue: http://simerg.com/modern-artistic-expressions

Nauvroze, by Nizar Shivji

Today, I had lots of time. Some of the time I spent just gazing at my low ceiling for some answers on some questions which were brought to my attentions yesterday. More I thought about it, the more, it boggled my mind. This idle brain-throbbing exercise made me more and more restless because I felt, I did not have any foresight on the pertinent questions, and the answers, and I tried to derive were more like a square screw in a round hole. However, I decided to become constructive and started to think something which was more positive, currently read and thought about.

Therefore, I decided to refer to ‘WIKIPEDIA’, the free encyclopedia, which has compiled many and many pages on significant of ‘NOWRUZ’, the Persian word for the new day or the first day of the New Year.

The Ismaili Muslim celebrates the ‘NOWRUZ’ on March 21, 2010, which is also a first day of spring in British Columbia. This year the spring has arrived early and the days are getting longer, the plants have become greener and the flowers have blossomed to its full strength. In my studio, I have some tall lucky bamboos. It looks like they are growing with me.

Navroz Greeting from Minister Jason Kenney

On behalf of Prime Minister Harper and the government, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism wishes Navroz mubarak to Canada’s Ismaili community.

http://www.youtube.com/user/JasonKenneyMP#p/a/u/0/FqcBixTtnPI

Nowruz Festival 21st March

Nowruz is celebrated and observed by Iranian peoples and the related cultural continent and has spread in many other parts of the world, including parts of Central Asia, South Asia, Northwestern China,

Mar 17, 2010 – Nowruz (نوروز meaning ‘New Day’) is the traditional ancient Iranian festival and also the start day of Iranian “New Year”.

Nowruz is celebrated and observed by Iranian peoples and the related cultural continent and has spread in many other parts of the world, including parts of Central Asia, South Asia, Northwestern China, the Crimea and some ethnic groups in Albania, Bosnia, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia.

– snip — It is also a holy day for Ismailis, Alawites, Alevis, and adherents of the Bahá’í Faith.

http://www.prlog.org/10579735-nowruz-festival-21st-march.html

When Spring Arrives – by Raheel Lakhani

Now for my Muslim friends specially, I wanted to discuss its presence and importance in Islam. As Islam is so diverse in its nature, Navroz is not celebrated by every sect as some sects didn’t take forward this tradition with them but we can see that it existed even in the era of Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). When Hazrat Salman Farsi entered into the circle Islam, Hazrat Muhammad being a keen observer and respecter of diversity, gave Navroz in the course of his life. Our Prophet also prayed for Muslims on this special day so with the entrance of Hazrat Salman Farsi Islam also got a gift of Navroz. Then the ritual also became a more important facet of Islam when the son of Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Hussain got married with SheharBano, the daughter of Iranian King.

Read article by Raheel Lakhani at the source. chowk.com