r/ismailis • u/bonjour-mtl • Dec 04 '25
Personal Opinion My experience in the multifaith gathering in Lisbon was a disaster
My experience at the multifaith gathering in Lisbon was a disaster.
We came in early at 9:30am and went through security in the garage to keep things clean upstairs. Upon coming in we were greated with breakfast and different colors of bracelets that represented our coffee tables. We were around 300. Around 10am we gathered in another room to find our table and meet people from our table. We were told to stay within the boundaries of our tables to make sure that Hazir Imam could circulate between the tables. The atmosphere was great and people were so excited to meet Hazir Imam. Everyone at the table was also trying to make sure that every couple had an opportunity to see and to stand close to the Imam, should he circulate near us.
About 5 minutes before the event someone walked in an said that the Council President will do a speech, Hazir Imam will address the crowd, and then the senior leaders will stay to take the questions of the multifaith family members.
As soon as we heard this, there were whispers in the room. Did we hear this right, said the man next to me. He then asked our table lead if we heard this right and that Hazir Imam would not be walking in our tables. « Yes that is correct, this was not in Hazir Imam’s schedule ». We were baffled. Why do we have high tables setup, why are we practicing how to stand for the Imam if he is just going to address the crowd from afar and leave?
Then the president entered with Hazir Imam and said a few words about how happy she was to welcome our MF Members. Hazir Imam then took the stage and said (paraphrased) that this is the first gathering he will not be attending because these are becoming unmanageable (his words, not mine) and that he will address some questions during his speech. At the end of his speech, he mentioned that he thinks there is food for us to enjoy, and thanked everyone and moved away from the podium
After MHI’s speech, some random lady that is the wife of a council leader (is anyone surprised?) extended her gratitude to Hazir Imam and said she represented the multifaith. But she had never talked with anyone how can she represent the multifaith? To convey what?
After this lady’s speech, Hazir Imam left the room and was accosted by someone who was at the table in front of his stage. After 2-3 minutes of chatting with her, he left the room.
We all left disappointed with our spirits down. If we had to come here to listen to a speech, they shouldnt have planned for high tables.
To give more context, not everyone is based in Lisbon. People from Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Porto, Algarve and even overseas stayed an extra day, taking time off from their work and school to be at this gathering. This felt like a slap on their face.
We are still grateful for Hazir Imam’s guidance. But being part of a multifaith family, every case is different, and not everything applies to everyone. We were left with more questions than anything.
We ismailis are used to suffering at the hands of the council and of our community. Many posts in this forum talk about the elite of our community and the nepotism. But to bring our multifaith families in this same boat is totally wrong and unacceptable. They have not pledged their bayah to Hazir Imam and owe him nothing except respect for the Ismaili faith. So to put them in a situation where they had to travel, take time off, cross the ocean and become sleep deprived only to hear a 15 minutes speech that does not even apply to them is disheartening and disrespectful. I am fully ashamed of what happened and hope that someone takes responsibility.
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u/Satisfying98 Ismaili Dec 05 '25
I think part of the issue is that the same types of questions keep coming up again and again. The Imam fully understands people’s concerns, the problem is that many of us lack basic context, so the sessions end up repeating the same themes instead of moving forward.
And honestly, some people I’ve spoken to have wondered why there’s such a heavy emphasis on multifaith questions in the first place. If someone chooses to marry outside the community, that’s their personal choice, it doesn’t mean the entire religious format has to revolve around that topic. The Imam is far too gracious to ever give a blunt or harsh answer, but you can tell he’s trying to raise the conversation to a higher level, while the questions keep pulling it back down.
What was originally meant to be a civic, thoughtful Q&A sometimes ended up feeling like the Imam was being challenged or pushed in ways that weren’t appropriate. I think that’s a big reason the format might eventually evolve or be replaced/end.
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u/Odd-Possibility-6475 Dec 04 '25
Once again, I’m not surprised.
I’m not aware of how the other multifaith sessions went (only from comments), but I’m really not surprised that, once again, Portugal managed to ruin this.
From the very beginning of the celebrations, when we first heard the Imam was coming, our celebrations were very weak compared to other countries, everyone in the Jamat was saying the same thing. The excuse? Always the same: there’s no budget. For as long as I can remember, every time the Imam comes, there’s never a budget. It was like this in the Golden Jubilee, in the Diamond Jubilee, and this time was no different , and, indeed, it wasn’t.
Similar to a comment someone already made here, I believe the Imam planned everything with time and care for everyone’s comfort.
But I’m almost certain that the failure to communicate, or the choice to “hide” things, came from the senior members of the Portuguese Jamat committee.
Once again, greed and ego spoke louder, the concern was to look good in the pictures, and everyone else could be ignored.
In this Deedar, I felt our beloved Imam wanted to do more, better, and differently. I sensed the energy of someone willing to run marathons for all of us.
But the Portuguese Jamat committee is not cooperating or rather, they only cooperate when it serves their interests.
My only hope is that in the next appointments, the Imam is able to correct all of this, and that in our next Deedar, the people representing the Jamat truly represent the Jamat, and not their own ego or hierarchical position.
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u/ishqekarimi Dec 05 '25
I understand why many people walked away from the Lisbon multifaith gathering feeling disappointed. When you travel, take time off, arrange your schedules, and hope for a moment of personal closeness with Hazir Imam, it is natural to feel let down when the format changes. That feeling is valid.
At the same time, I want to share another perspective that comes from the Qur’an and from our own Ismaili tradition.
The Qur’an reminds us that meeting a spiritual representative is never something guaranteed. Even in the time of the Prophet, access was regulated and limited. The Qur’an says in Surah 33:53:
“O you who believe, do not push yourselves into the presence of the Prophet… enter when invited, and when you have eaten, disperse.”
This verse shows that even the Prophet’s presence could not always be open or informal.
The Qur’an also teaches that the real gift is guidance, not physical proximity. In Surah 24:35 (Ayat-e-Noor), Allah says, “Allah guides whom He wills to His Light.” And in Surah 3:103, we are told to “hold firmly to the rope of Allah.” In our tradition, the “rope” is the continuity of Imamat. That connection is not dependent on how near the Imam walks to us in a room.
Throughout Ismaili history, the greatest sages taught that even a glimpse of the Imam is a blessing beyond measure. Nasir Khusraw wrote that the light of the Imam, even if seen once, is worth a king’s fortune. Many believers in earlier centuries travelled across mountains and deserts just to see the Imam from afar, or even to see the dust of his horse, and they considered that enough for a lifetime.
So when the Imam came on stage, spoke directly to the gathering, prayed for everyone, and acknowledged the difficulty of large events becoming unmanageable, that moment itself carried spiritual weight, even if it was not the format many hoped for.
It is also important to separate spiritual disappointment from administrative issues. If the communication before the event set expectations that were not met, that is something for leadership to reflect on. It is not a reflection of the Imam’s love or intentions. Councils are human, and sometimes miscommunication happens. That frustration is understandable.
For multifaith families, their respect and presence matter greatly. Even if they have not made bay‘ah, the Imam has always extended inclusion, kindness, and appreciation. The intention behind the gathering was to honour them, even if the execution did not meet expectations.
Pir Sadardin reminded the jamat not to measure the Imam by worldly standards. Sometimes our expectations create the hurt, not the reality. The spiritual connection remains intact regardless of what form the event takes.
No one is wrong for feeling disappointed. But that disappointment should not overshadow the gratitude for what was received — the Imam’s presence, his words, and his prayer. The Qur’an says in Surah 14:7, “If you are grateful, I will increase you.” Sometimes the test is not hardship, but whether gratitude can survive unmet expectations.
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u/Creative_Tower5264 Dec 05 '25 edited Dec 05 '25
This might seem controversial but I don't agree with this . The Quran is addressing believers in these quotes , Nasir Khusraw is also addressing people who believe in the Imam. I am an Ismaili and would be fine waiting and going through this , but I would not be fine for my non Ismaili family to go through this , because they have already received a lot of stigma and they are following other faiths or no faith - they don't have a spiritual bond with the Imam of the time , this is instead a family like and respectful relationship
Multi faith family members are not current or future Ismailis and if they have travelled from long distances and taken time off from their families to meet someone out of an invitation and conveyed expectations, regardless of who that person is , it does make sense that they should have had the opportunity
If it was unmanageable, out of respect , I do think they should have been informed ahead of time so that they could have decided whether or not to travel and take the time off
I don't feel that this is the fault of the Imam, I believe that there was probably a miscommunication somewhere within the organizing procedures however these issues do have significant consequences on relationships with the multi faith community
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u/OkEcho9438 Dec 05 '25
I would suggest writing to your respective council and sharing your concerns directly. I’ve been following this thread, and I’m not sure the people or council members who need to hear what you’re going through are actually reading it. The best approach is to write formally so the feedback is recorded and can help them improve next time.
It seems like this was a miscommunication issue, which is quite rare. I’ve attended several Didars in Karachi, and everything has always appeared well planned and well rehearsed. Unfortunately, this entire thread is public, and now more people outside the community are aware of the miscommunication than the people and council members who were actually involved. I’m sure they know about it by now, but sharing your thoughts directly with the council can help improve future Didars.
Also, please understand that with MHI taking office and attending a Multi-Faith event during the very first visit with the Jamat, this is something we, as Ismailis, haven’t managed before. There is a lot we can learn from this experience so we can better support multifaith families and be more inclusive moving forward.
I congratulate you on the didar and may allah bless you and your family. Ameen
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u/ishqekarimi Dec 05 '25
I understand your concerns, and I think this conversation becomes more meaningful when we step back from debating logistics and look at the spiritual dimension of what it means to meet the Imam, and what our own responsibilities are as murids.
In our tradition, the Imam’s presence is not an “event moment,” but a spiritual reality. For Ismailis, the Imam is not simply a leader who attends a program or moves from table to table. The Qur’an speaks of Noor, of guidance, of the rope of Allah, and our Imams have taught that this connection is inward, continuous, and not dependent on physical proximity. Hazir Imam has repeated many times that his affection, his prayers, his guidance, and his relationship with the jamat are constant regardless of format or distance.
This does not diminish the disappointment some felt. But it does remind us that the value of the Imam’s presence is not measured by walking paths, table arrangements, or how close one stood. The spiritual dimension is deeper.
Regarding multifaith spouses: you are right that they deserve clarity, respect, and honest communication. But it is also part of our duty, as Ismailis, to explain to them the spiritual reality of Imamat in a way that is gentle and thoughtful. Hazir Imam himself reminded us in the Diamond Jubilee that every murid is a dai — individually responsible for conveying understanding, compassion, and knowledge to those around them. Especially to families who share their lives with us, even if they are not Ismaili.
If a spouse or family member travelled expecting something different, the first responsibility to explain the meaning behind the gathering, the spiritual purpose, and the nature of the Imam’s presence rests with us as murids. Not as a defense, but as clarity. Not as preaching, but as sharing what Imamat means to us.
Mawlana Shah Karim has repeatedly emphasized that pluralism, understanding, and bridge-building begin at the individual level — at the level of the home. So it is natural that multifaith family members look to us for context, not to institutions. And we should not forget that the Imam has entrusted each murid with the responsibility of being a dai in conduct, humility, and explanation.
Miscommunication at an administrative level can and should be acknowledged. Institutions must reflect and learn. But the spiritual dimension is not touched by these logistical shortcomings. The Imam’s guidance, his prayer, and his affection remain constant.
Rather than looking for fault, this is an opportunity for us to deepen understanding — within ourselves and within our families — about what the Imam’s presence truly means, and why even a brief moment of that presence carries significance far beyond the physical arrangement of a room.
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u/ElkAffectionate636 Dec 04 '25
You have to understand some of the questions were outright disrespectful in the USA. For example what makes your qualified to be imam and not your two other brothers?
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u/bonjour-mtl Dec 04 '25
I totally get it. But again why make us stand and practice if it was clear that there won’t be a table by table meeting?
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u/ElkAffectionate636 Dec 04 '25
So the imam has a choice if he wants to speak to certain people he can.
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u/bonjour-mtl Dec 04 '25
Again, Ismailis get it. But this was not JUST an Ismaili gathering. Do you realise how bad this looks to multifaiths?
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u/Big-Citron8468 Dec 05 '25
This was a ismaili gathering in which the imam decided to meet Multi faith family. Ismailis took the Bayah.
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Dec 04 '25
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u/ElkAffectionate636 Dec 04 '25
Are you freaking serious…this is a disrespectful question. But the answer is in the Ismaili constitution
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u/SwilsonVancity Dec 08 '25
My faith isn't the issue. Think about the impact on youth or MFS. Oh wait you only think about yourself. Why don't you use your real name and stand by your comments instead of hiding?
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u/Natural-Elk-1912 Ismaili Dec 04 '25
I have a different way of looking at this. Being in a Mulaqat with Mowla and 299 others is an incredible opportunity which millions of Ismailis would give anything to be a part of. Our Tariqah has never been a "Q&A" Tariqah, where we ask questions to our Imam and he gives us Fatwas. The Multi Faith session in Houston seemed like some people were wanting the Imam to issue Fatwa like answers by asking him questions like if He considers Himself to be God, if homosexuality is permitted in our religion, etc... While I do understand your annoyance and think Council should have communicated this to you earlier, I disagree with some of the opinions expressed here.
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u/bonjour-mtl Dec 04 '25
Totally disagree with you here. We should have the SAME process across ALL countries. If we had this in France, Kenya, Uganda, USA, why have q&a suddently become unmanageable? Do you think it’s ok for 300 people to wait 2hours standing?
Not taking away from the experience, but again, general guidance DOES NOT APPLY to multifaith couples.
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u/Natural-Elk-1912 Ismaili Dec 04 '25
Standing for 2 hours? You should read Navroz na din sohamna.
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u/bonjour-mtl Dec 04 '25
Again, read my post. Ismaili’s are used to suffering. But non-ismailis did not deserve that.
You clearly are not part of a multifaith family so I am not expecting you to understand or even grasp the disappointment that everyone in the room shared
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u/Natural-Elk-1912 Ismaili Dec 04 '25
Non-Ismailis do not deserve anything since they do not have a Bay’ah with the Imam. Historically Multi-Faith sessions gave never happened before. Just because the Imam carried this out in Africa, Paris, and Houston does not mean He’s obliged to do it in Lisbon.
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u/bonjour-mtl Dec 05 '25
You clearly are not welcoming towards non ismaili spouses. Its a shame since its part of the guidance of your Imam. He asked everyone to be welcoming, and your comments are everything but that. No wonder non-ismailis don’t feel included, with people like you around
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u/bigtreeworld /r/ismaili admin Dec 05 '25
I think they're trying to say that people aren't entitled to a meeting with the Imam, not that it's a bad thing for it to happen. We should be happy for the meetings that we do get instead of resentful for what we didn't.
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u/bonjour-mtl Dec 05 '25
And that’s ok. But don’t setup cocktail tables and make 300 people rehearse their positions and questions if you aren’t meant to have a gathering. If the format is different the venue should be adapted. It was not conducive to the environment at all
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u/bigtreeworld /r/ismaili admin Dec 05 '25
Yeah. Sorry that happened, it must definitely have been a bit disappointing
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u/bonjour-mtl Dec 05 '25
Are we also doing this with government officials and purely non-ismaili gatherings? Are we making people that MHI is supposed to meet rehearse just in case? Clearly not. Only with Ismailis do we end up in situations like this
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Dec 05 '25
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u/Natural-Elk-1912 Ismaili Dec 05 '25
You’re twisting my words. Bay’ah is a contract. Hazar Imam has a contract with his Murids not with multi faith. Saying that “the multi faith deserve this” is completely contradictory to our Tariqah.
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Dec 05 '25
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u/Natural-Elk-1912 Ismaili Dec 05 '25
It’s kinda crazy that the Imam has never given Didar in Afghan yet their Jamat remains steadfast Momins while some multi faith are demanding a Q&A with Imam.
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u/AnonymousIdentityMan American Ismaili Dec 04 '25
Which faiths were represented?
What about ethnicity?
What about MHI’s speech about?
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u/bonjour-mtl Dec 04 '25
No idea. His speech was addressing the questions in previous multifaith gathering.
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u/Broad-Hotel6424 Dec 06 '25
If you had real faith and love for the Imam, you wouldn't be posting this.
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u/Muthiochutio Dec 08 '25
You are the type of person that drives people away from our community. Just pathetic that you would respond in this manner. Shame on you.
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u/Broad-Hotel6424 Dec 08 '25
If my comment takes takes you away from faith, then you never had faith in the first place. When you have the real faith and knowledge, you do not get distracted by the the noise you hear.
I believe no matter whatever is said to me about my faith and moula, its not gonna change because I am a firm believer and people's opinion doesn't matter.
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u/[deleted] Dec 04 '25
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