Urooj Tharani SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS OF ISMAILI COMMUNITY

Revised

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS OF ISMAILI COMMUNITY OF HYDERABAD

Urooj Tharani

Roll# 2K17/MC/152

Ismailism is a branch of Shia Islam. They got the title Ismaili when they accepted Imam Ismail Ibn Jafar as Imam. They believe in oneness of God and Prophet Muhammad as last Caliph. Ismailis are in Hyderabad since pre-partition. In starting they were in minority but now in Hyderabad there are five colonies of Ismailis Prince Ali, Mubarak housing society, Aminabad colony and Aliabad where almost 7,500 to 8000 Ismaili families live.

Now Ismailis found in majority in pakistan and India but they are also found in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, East Africa, Angola, Lebanon, and South Africa, and have emigrated to Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Trinidad and Tobago. There are also a significant number of Ismailis in Central Asia.

Ismailis called by the name Khowaja but it is not khowaja the real title is KHOJA they got this title by Pir Sadar din in 13th century the period of Imam Islam Shah (a.s). It became khowaja because of it’s frequent use. And the meaning of KHOJA is honoured, trader, businessmen. Because Ismailis thinks in a broader perspective and the businessmen in the sense of intellectual.

If we go back in Ismaili’s history they were have believe in piratan (the one who preach islam). Ismailis were converted from Hindus that is why Pir used to sing ginans like bhajan to make easier for the people to understand. In ginans there are 36 languages and 42 sur. Ismailis are from different cultures so they speak the language of the area from where they belong like Sindhi, Siraiki, Punjabi, Hindi, Gujrati, Kachhi, Sanskrit, Farsi, Arabic, English etc.

Let us talk about their culture they do not have any basic culture except garba and dandiyaraas which they play in every occasion and in every celebration. In their religion there is not any concept of hijab (parda). They are bold and confident. As they are open minded they adopt the culture of where ever they live. In their wedding functions or in any occasion their males and females celebrates together.

We know that they are broad minded they have good relationships with every community like Hindus, Christians etc. They believe in diversity and pluralism. They welcomes everyone. They do not racist. They make bridges with other communities. Their women works in every fields. They make their kids able to become leaders. They teaches Islam and history but gives an open hand to everyone to think. They do not force anyone.

They have 2 types of institutions

Jamati institutions, which works specifically for the Ismaili community like Social Welfare Board in which they entertain senior citizens, special people, disabled people and it also gives assistance to the people who are not affordable they pays their school fees they give them food.

Youth and Sports Board (YSB) which promotes youth they organise national and international camps for them, national and international sports competitions, short courses etc.

Economic Planning Board (EPB) helps interpreters, basically they support income programs.

Education Board they give trainings, short courses scholarships, career counselling etc.

Arbitration Board it works like community court. Ismailis do not need to go out for their problems they can sought their problems with in the colony.

And at the golden jubilee of their Imam Prince Karim Aga Khan, Imam introduced another institute One Window Services which works for poverty elevation.

Imamti institutions, which works overall in underdeveloped countries. Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) it is a very large network. It works on 925 million dollars yearly budget.

There are too many organisations which are working under AKDN. There are almost 200 health care instructions, Universities, Schools etc, it works in 6 countries.

Aga Khan rural support program, Aga Khan Foundation it is a very big setup, big budget which can be the yearly budget of any country. It plays very supportive role in underdeveloped countries.

People think that the AKDN only works for Ismailis they asks ismailis that you must get extra discount but AKDN works for all mankind. They do not give any extra discount or favour to Ismailis everyone is equal for them.

Ismailis are also involved in literature, political, economy, education, health and social sectors.

Dr Karim Ahmed Khowaja Senator

DIG Fateh Ali Khowaja (late)

Allah Dino Khowaja IG Motorway

Sultan Ali Khowaja Director FIA Sindh

Ali Ahmed Khowaja Assistant Accounts Officer Sindh Text Book Board

Pyar Ali Allana Education Minister Sindh

Mustafa Khowaja politician

Nadir Khowaja politician

Shaheed Rashid Karim Baig Pakistan Army

G. Allana Writer, Chairman of Sindh Language Authority

MehmoodaAfroz Ali Khowaja General Secretary Midwifery Association of Pakistan, Principal Cowasjee School of Midwifery.

They are different from other communities because they empower women, they give opportunities to everyone they do not make any differences between men and women they make it easier for everyone, they educate their women they do not feel like it is waste of money to educate a woman.

Their Imam the Prince Karim Aga Khan says: “giving education to a man is like you are educating a single person but giving education to a woman it is is equal to educating the whole generation.” And they live only in those areas where their registered Jamatkhanas are. They may have different family backgrounds but they all live like one family.

Ismailis are different from other communities in every religious practices because the identity of ismaili’s is that the authority of their Imam is their centre point.

Their Imam the Prince Karim Aga Khan says the Ismailism is the religion of happiness we do not have any place for sadness and sorrows. They live happily, they celebrate every moment, they are together in every situation.

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Good effort. can u add Ismailis' role in economy, politics and social sectors in Hyderabad? 

Some prominent names economy, politics,literature, education health etc.

Intro is taken from Wikipedia. better to start with first para from Hyderabad. 

Give proper reference, when u r taking matter for ur use.

We need more local content

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS OF ISMAILI COMMUNITY OF HYDERABAD

Urooj Tharani

Roll# 2K17/MC/152

Ismailism (Arabic: الإسماعيلية, Persian: اسماعیلیان) is a branch of Shia Islam. The Ismaili get their name from their acceptance of Imam Ismail ibn Jafar as the Imam to Jafar al-Sadiq. Ismailis believe in the oneness of God, as well as the closing of divine revelation with Muhammad, whom they see as "the final Prophet and Messenger of God to all humanity. Though there are several paths (tariqat) within Ismailism, the term in today’s vernacular generally refers to the Nizaris, who recognize Aga Khan IV as the 49th Imam and are the largest Ismaili group. In recent centuries Ismailis have largely been a Pakistani and Indian community, but Ismailis are also found in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, East Africa, Angola, Lebanon, and South Africa, and have in recent years emigrated to Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Trinidad and Tobago. There are also a significant number of Ismailis in Central Asia.

Ismailis called by the name Khowaja but it is not khowaja the real title is KHOJA they got this title by Pir Sadar din in 13th century the period of Imam Islam Shah (a.s). It became khowaja because of it’s frequent use. And the meaning of KHOJA is honoured, trader, businessmen. Because Ismailis thinks in a broader perspective and the businessmen in the sense of intellectual.

If we go back in Ismaili’s history they were have believe in piratan (the one who preach islam). Ismailis were converted from Hindus that is why Pir used to sing ginans like bhajan to make easier for the people to understand. In ginans there are 42 languages and 32 sur. Ismailis are from different cultures so they speak the language of the area from where they belong like Sindhi, Siraiki, Punjabi, Hindi, Gujrati, Kachhi, Sanskrit, Farsi, Arabic, English etc.

Ismailis are in Hyderabad since pre-partition. In starting they were in minority but now in Hyderabad there are five colonies of Ismailis Prince Ali, Mubarak housing society, Aminabad colony and Aliabad where almost 7,500 to 8000 Ismaili families live.

Let us talk about their culture they do not have any basic culture except garba and dandiyaraas which they play in every occasion and in every celebration. In their religion there is not any concept of hijab (parda). They are bold and confident. As they are open minded they adopt the culture of where ever they live. In their wedding functions or in any occasion their males and females celebrates together.

We know that they are broad minded they have good relationships with every community like Hindus, Christians etc. They believe in diversity and pluralism. They welcomes everyone. They do not racist. They make bridges with other communities. Their women works in every fields. They make their kids able to become leaders. They teaches Islam and history but gives an open hand to everyone to think. They do not force anyone.

They have 2 types of institutions

Jamati institutions, which works specifically for the Ismaili community like Social Welfare Board in which they entertain senior citizens, special people, disabled people and it also gives assistance to the people who are not affordable they pays their school fees they give them food.

Youth and Sports Board (YSB) which promotes youth they organise national and international camps for them, national and international sports competitions, short courses etc.

Economic Planning Board (EPB) helps interpreters, basically they support income programs.

Education Board they give trainings, short courses scholarships, career counselling etc.

Arbitration Board it works like community court. Ismailis do not need to go out for their problems they can sought their problems with in the colony.

And at the golden jubilee of their Imam Prince Karim Aga Khan, Imam introduced another institute One Window Services which works for poverty elevation.

Imamti institutions, which works overall in underdeveloped countries. Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) it is a very large network. It works on 925 million dollars yearly budget.

There are too many organisations which are working under AKDN. There are almost 200 health care instructions, Universities, Schools etc, it works in 6 countries.

Aga Khan rural support program, Aga Khan Foundation it is a very big setup, big budget which can be the yearly budget of any country. It plays very supportive role in underdeveloped countries.

People think that the AKDN only works for Ismailis they asks ismailis that you must get extra discount but AKDN works for all mankind. They do not give any extra discount or favour to Ismailis everyone is equal for them.

They are different from other communities because they empower women, they give opportunities to everyone they do not make any differences between men and women they make it easier for everyone, they educate their women they do not feel like it is waste of money to educate a woman.

Their Imam the Prince Karim Aga Khan says: “giving education to a man is like you are educating a single person but giving education to a woman it is is equal to educating the whole generation.” And they live only in those areas where their registered Jamatkhanas are. They may have different family backgrounds but they all live like one family.

Ismailis are different from other communities in every religious practices because the identity of ismaili’s is that the authority of their Imam is their centre point.

Their Imam the Prince Karim Aga Khan says the Ismailism is the religion of happiness we do not have any place for sadness and sorrows. They live happily, they celebrate every moment, they are together in every situation.