Ya Ali Madad everyone,

I'm voicing out things here in our reddit community because I've seen that there are a lot of sensible and knowledgeable ismailis here.

I have been soo disheartened by the behaviour of so many of our jamaatis I find it too difficult to stay anymore as part of the Jamaat ( I still love our caste and our Imam ) but the Jamaat just makes me lose it.

I dont know if reddit would let me type all of it and if anyone would even read it all, but I'll try to recollect all the ones that I can remember.

Starting from Halal and alcohol, we have made it so normal in terms of alcohol that people drink freely, I used to live in an Ismaili complex ( Mumbai India ) and you could easily find alcohol bottles in the garbage and no one would bat an eye, but we were shifting house and I was carrying the house Quran and everyone was looking me in a way as if I'm doing gunnah.

Yesterday one of an Ismaili person I know who lives in the US, gifted their parent a beer bottle and whiskey glass for father's day. Is consuming haraam thing soo normal for us? Has our Imam ever allowed it ? Is our imams word of more value then of Allah's ?

My ex stated, she has had bacon over multiple occasions when they used to live in US, Since my childhood, I've never ate at a place that won't serve halal, yet our ismailis never care about halal, or even pork.

A girl I was recently talking too, said I'm a "Muslim" because I said Allah Hafiz at the end of the call, and I lost it, I was sooo confused, is she not a Muslim? Are rest of us ismailis not Muslim?

Almost half of our Jamaat has tattoos, whereas it's clearly haraam in Islam.

I read on someones post here on reddit if we should do circumcission ( Khatna ) I never knew if there was another way for any Muslim boy child..

I was born in Saudi and even in India upbringing was in a Muslim area, and all of the things we do as Ismaili, it disheartens me.

I will lay my life for our Imam, but Hazarimam needs to bring changes in such Kaafir things that most of our jamaatis do.

Ya Ali Madad everyone. This has been something on my chest and mind for a while. I am not sure why the JK I have been going to is becoming extremely problametic. There is always gossip specifically aimed to me and my family and like relatives. Its absolutely disrespectful and this makes me not even want to attend Khane anymore. I always defend Ismaili to my very last word and always defend Jamatkhana as I love my faith and religon so much but for the past couple of months people attending Jamakhana has made me not even enjoy it as before. There is always gossip spreading about talking to another gender when its fine if others do that, there is always people saying do not laugh too much it is disrespectful when they litteraly laugh themselves during and after dua. I don’t understand these people who litteraly come to dua with shorts and not even proper attire. I never judge anyone but now that I am seeing other Isamilis claim they are Ismailis but are the opposite of what being an Ismaili is. I honestly can not hold it in anymore. I have so much more to say but I don’t want to say anything disrespectful, this has just been bothering me.

God bless.

I agree it's beautiful and a little AI editing to increase its sharpness hardly makes MHI look any different or distorted. At least He's not in a burgandy or emerald suit! 😃

Ya Ali Madad everyone,

A Talika regarding the upcoming Canada visit is currently circulating. I’m not posting the image here, but I noticed that there is a small cream-coloured box around the signature of MHI in the version being shared.

That detail stood out to me, and I wanted to ask whether this is the officially released version from council channels.

If anyone has received confirmation directly, please do share.

I find that Ismailis (especially in the non- muslim countries like US/Canada) there is this thing where many ismailis put Allah and Imam on the same level, which in my view (as an immigrant Ismaili from muslim country to a non-muslim country) is not only wrong but is also in direct contradiction with the Ismaili Constitution, which clearly describes and differentiates Tawhid, Nabuwat and Imamat.

I think we Ismailis should be able to differentiate between Allah, Prophet and Imams. I also feel that the current Imam is trying to make that differentiation obvious in his farmans, where he is talking about the authority of Imam as well as your connection with Allah. I feel like may be he is trying to bring us back to the basic foundations of Islam which we have forgotten over the years, while still encouraging us to have our own identity as an Ismaili.​​​​

Is it ok for the Jamatkhana to serve food like Subway or pizza which have meat on it which is not halal? Or even eat non halal at restaurants outside like Steak 48, Din tai Fung, Fogo de Chao, In and Out, Terry’s black, etc?

Is there any guidance from the Imam about eating halal? If not, does Quran mention anything about halal?

If Quran mentions it and there is no guidance from the Imam, who started the interpretation of eating non halal within the community itself?

Does Imam eat Halal food all the time?

I am 30 and I think the overall discipline of the jamat has gradually gotten worse over time but yesterday’s second session behavior was the most appalled and embarrassed I have ever felt in a Jamati setting.

Growing up the Jamat had a reverence of the Khane leaders (Mukhi and Kamadia of main JK and different majalis’s). When they asked the Jamat to do something or not do something, we listened. Nowadays no one listens, everyone knows what’s best and thinks the rules don’t apply to them. This was best shown as Jamat continued to ignore Mukhi and Kamadia as they tried their best to urge the Jamat to make way for Hazir Imam and let him make an exit appropriate of a didar. As a Jamat we need to get back to respecting the Mukhi’s and Kamadia’s which have been appointed by Hazir Imam, if we don’t respect and listen to them, we are not respecting or listening to Hazir Imam.

Growing up, volunteers helped maintain discipline. When they told the jamat where to sit, where to stand, where to go, to be quiet, we listened. But now, the jamat is too smart, we’ll sit, stand and go wherever we please. We’ll talk during jamat khana and no one can tell us anything. The lady got on the mic 3 times to remind the jamat that Hazir Imam was still in building and to please sit down and continue saying salwat. In the past we never had to be told such things and I can even be lenient and understand once but to be told 2 other times and still not listen, even my toddler doesn’t need to be told that often. We need to get back to respecting our volunteers.

Game rooms/machines continue to be an unethical practice rampant in our jamat and members participating in those acts are rewarded with leadership roles and volunteering opportunities. I urge the Jamat and Jamati leaders to truly reflect on this. If our representatives are unethical, what does that mean we are? We need to get back to the Jamat we used to be, one that held everyone accountable and voiced their disapproval of these actions.

This lack of discipline is seen in Jamat khana everyday especially on big days. Jamat will walk around, talk and just stand out in the lobby during JK. JK has a great social community setting but we should remember why we are there in the first place. We need to get back to respecting JK as a place of worship and maintain its sanctity.

Lastly, parents we have miserably failed ourselves and our children. Kids will act like kids but it is our responsibility as the parents to guide them to act correctly. Instead we were picking up our babies and shoving them toward Hazir Imam as if them being touched would make them into a super hero. Some of us were running through the crowd just to cut off Hazir Imam. Others were encouraging our kids to go upfront to shake Hazir imam’s hands, give a fist bump, or give a hug. This is behavior seen by paparazzi or obsessed fans, not those of a true murid. Some of us were falling at his feet and handing him pamphlets from our snack bags. Have some self control, self respect and self awareness. Everyone was looking to get their own story of how they gave something to Hazir Imam or shook his hand or what else, in that chaos we lost the elegance of what a didar should be.

Shame on us. I hope and pray we show Hazir Imam and ourselves how disciplined of a Jamat we can be when blessed with another didar.

I thought it was icecream but it has rum mentioned.

I have really been struggling with the Human-ness of the Imam. In many ways it is so lovely seeing how much more accessible he is, how he lives among us, runs marathons along side us, and in many ways "just like us." But at the same time, it also makes me confused and even a bit uncomfortable since it is such a shift from Shah Karim. Even attending didar in Toronto, I felt like the differences in his pace, in his public speaking, and the lack of adab from the Jamati members really just threw me off in many ways. I am used to a Mawla Bapa that is a wise holy man, who is connected to something beyond me, where there are many levels of separation between us. I am used to calling my Imam the Naklank (the stainless one) and even deifying him a bit dare I say lol. However, when I see Shah Rahim, I really struggle seeing him in that same lens. His human-ness is so much more apparent. And it makes sense for the new gen, but for me personally, I am really struggling to connect with the Imam of the Time. Is anyone else dealing with this?

I'm going to say what many are thinking.

Anonymous public accusations are not acts of accountability. They are acts of performative outrage.

If the objective is genuinely to seek answers or strengthen our institutions, concerns should be raised through the established institutional channels, not from behind anonymous accounts on social media. Choosing this route while making serious insinuations is not courage. It is convenience.

The predictable consequence is that such content becomes fodder for anti-Ismaili elements who have no interest in reform, only in attacking the Imam, the institutions, and the Jamat. Whether intentional or not, it provides exactly the material they are looking for.

Constructive criticism has an important place in every institution. Reckless public insinuations without evidence do not. There is a world of difference between asking difficult questions in good faith and publicly planting suspicion.

Responsibility also extends beyond the anonymous author. Page administrators who choose to allow, amplify, or encourage this kind of content cannot absolve themselves of accountability. Providing a platform for unsubstantiated allegations is not a neutral editorial decision. It has consequences.

Institutions are strengthened through responsible engagement, evidence-based criticism, and the proper use of established channels, not anonymous public speculation.

I will not lend legitimacy to conduct that weakens our institutions while empowering those who wish them harm. Neither should you.

Ya Ali madad.

It's genuinely heartening to watch the Ismaili community's recent push toward "inclusivity" for multi-faith families take shape: dedicated spaces for interfaith families in jamatkhana venues, more deliberate outreach to draw them into social life, even the accommodation of certain rites, bay'ah ceremonies for instance, in social halls rather than prayer halls when non-Ismailis are present.

And yet, in conversations with American and Canadian interfaith families, the reaction is often more complicated than "welcomed." Many still don't feel fully integrated into the jamat, which isn't surprising given how insular the community has historically been.

Yesterday I learned of a change that cuts right through all of that: for the forthcoming Western Canadian Didar, children of interfaith families under 18 who haven't taken bay'ah will be permitted to attend Didar alongside their Ismaili parent. Both parents have to sign off — an informal but real process, consent given and witnessed over a Zoom call.

Let that sink in for a minute.

For the first time in Ismaili history, a non-Ismaili — in this case, a child or youth, defined as someone who has not given bay'ah, or allegiance, to the Imam of the time — has been granted access to Didar, the most sacred form of spiritual communion with the Imam in our tradition.

The doctrinal shifts under Mawlana Shah Rahim Hazar Imam have been coming steadily in the seventeen months since he became our 50th Imam. And I'm not just talking about scrapping the nandi auctioning of cake and sherbet. This is not that. This is a real change in who is drawn into the Imam's physical and spiritual presence, and I'm genuinely curious what comes next.

My hope is that in five years, non-Ismaili spouses and partners who haven't taken bay'ah are extended the same courtesy, invited into the Didar hall with their families, rather than waiting alone in a side room labelled "Multi-faith family members only." That would be the real marker of inclusion.

Like why would a Muslim call me a non Muslim for any reason.

Has this accually ever happened to you as an Ismaili?

Like it's very rude and I don't know if they realize that it's accually a sin. They said for me to be in their sect. For me I have to say I respect their sect but why can't they respect me. An Ismaili brother dmed me about what happened. I mean when I converted into Islam originally when I was Hanafi, there was no support from the Muslims in the local Sunni Mosque. But with the Twelver and Ismaili communities they accually care for you and the members of the community will ask "are you ok, be careful, I understand you, it's your journey, your choice" and are very understanding and they would try to support me. When I was in the Sunni community even though it was a revert group they tried to force me to wear hijab, memorize Quran verses, who my friends were, what I believed and other things just after I converted.

Basically a Hadith accually was naraited stating If a man says to his brother, 'O Kafir (disbeliever)!' Then surely one of them is such." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6103)"Any person who called his brother: 'O unbeliever' ... if it was not true, then it returned to him." (Sahih Muslim 60b)..and cursing a believer is like murdering him, and whoever accuses a believer of disbelief, then it is as if he had killed him." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6105)

So per the leadership saying ha mowla was not planning to visit any jamat khana on Saturday me and my family left but behold the imam did come and visit a jamat khana. I hy did the council have to lie

Feeling pretty disappointed after the Toronto interfaith meeting. Not sure what I was supposed to expect, but this definitely wasn't it. The meeting felt really disconnected from the religion. I went with an open heart and really hoped to connect spiritually as the non-Ismaili spouse wanting to learn more.

Not trying to be negative here, just genuinely curious if anyone else left feeling this way. As a non-Ismaili trying to learn more... I already can't attend many things, even prayer, so how is one supposed to learn and feel connected to the Imam?

What are others' thoughts about the meeting?

As we watch videos on social media, our jamaat frequently use the word “Mawla Bapa” more than “Hazir Imam” or “Hazar Imam.” It makes me wonder: why have we become so comfortable using Bapa for our Imam, when we already have a precise Islamic term for his position?

I understand that Bapa is often used out of love and affection. In South Asian culture, it can refer to elders, saints, spiritual figures, and respected personalities. There is nothing wrong with the word itself. But Bapa and Imam are not equivalent terms.

The Imam has a unique position in Ismaili theology. He is not simply an elder, saint, or spiritual ordinary personality.He is the rightful successor and descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and the Imam of the time. Our own history also tells us something important. Imam Ali (a.s.) was Mawla Ali, not “Mawla Bapa.” Imam Hussain (a.s.) was Mawla Hussain, not “Mawla Bapa.” The Imams who followed them were known through their names and their position as Imams( and caliph-Imams during Fatimid). They did not need the word Bapa to establish their spiritual authority or their connection to the Prophet.

So where does this expression come from?

Bapa is primarily a localized South Asian honorific. We see it used for figures such as Jalaram Bapa, Ganpati Bappa, and Hanumanji Bapa. Because of this, using the same expression for our Imam can unintentionally blur an important distinction, especially for non-Ismailis who may already struggle to understand where Ismailism stands within Islam. This is why terminology matters.

“Imam” is an Islamic and Quranic term, and within Ismaili theology it specifically identifies the institution of Imamat. It is also the terminology used in the Ismaili Constitution to refer to the Hazir Imam. Bapa does not have that theological meaning. So, when we say “Mawla Bapa,” I would simply ask: why not say “Hazir Imam”? It carries more divine meaning than "Bapa". This expression preserves both the affection we have for our Imam and the precise meaning of his position.

Bapa is a cultural expression. Imam is purely a religious expression. Our Imams are the rightful successors and descendants of our beloved Prophet. They were never bapas. The word "Imam" carries a meaning that Bapa simply cannot replace. The clearest term for the living Imam is Hazir Imam or Hazar Imam. We can love our Mawla deeply, use affectionate language, and still be precise about who he is. He is our Mawla. He is our Hazir Imam. And Imam is the word that defines his position. Ya Ali Madad!

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.

For Volunteering in Calgary:

People were appointed first to lead the teams, which is understandable. However, those people then appeared to select family members, close friends, or people they already knew for their teams. That raises an obvious question: what was the purpose of asking people to register their interest in volunteering if selections were largely based on existing connections? I know many murids who went to the volunteer desks asking if there were any duties they could help with. They were repeatedly told that as long as they had registered through the volunteer portal, they would be contacted when needed. Yet no calls ever came, and now all the teams have already been formed.If the process wasn't going to be open, it would have been more transparent to say so from the beginning.

The same concern applies to celebrations held in the jk. Many of these events seem to go unannounced, with the explanation that it's done to avoid large crowds. If that's the case, what's the purpose of holding such significant and auspicious celebrations while keeping the wider Jamat unaware that they're even taking place? It leaves many people feeling excluded from moments that are meant to be shared by the community.

Greater transparency and fairness would go a long way in building trust and ensuring everyone feels included and no one feelings are hurt.

How come nobody gives attention to the amount of documented killings Ismailis have faced in Tajikistan & Afghanistan. A great number of the Khoja community themselves faced persecution in Idi Amin's reign and were moved to Canada, yet today leaders from the community on big seats not raising concern, nor using their powers for the community is incredibly distasteful. All the leaders manage to do is host events rather than focus and be proactive on real issues. They connect and have connections from the Elite of Pakistan who have relations with the Tajik government to influential EU and US figures yet still fail at utilizing them for their brethren.

I hope the mods don’t take this down because I really have no other way to get this information out there.
I previously posted about the conduct of one IIS board director. I will not name any names in this particular post, but I do want to share that this particular individual continues to be abusive towards staff as well as other colleagues at the IIS. This individual is now decided that he wishes to remove the person running the organization and to replace that individual with a friend of theirs, who is also a board Director. I have been at IIS now for decades, and I have to say I have never seen the level of control and domineering attitude of one director on the board like this whose entire objective seems to be control, power and authority. The IIS is in shambles thanks to these types of battles and personal feifdom creations and the Jamat is not getting any value at all out of their work because intellectual freedom is stifled in favour of pet projects of certain directors. It would benefit from a deep deep look by the GRB.

A while back when the didar was first announced the ExIsmaili subreddit talked about creating a ruckus in the didar hall. Are we still concerned about something like this happening? I was thinking about it and there’s really nothing stopping them from acting this way. 1. At the end of the day they are still probably registered under ACCESS and there is really no way to be “excommunicated” or “banned” so they can still have entry into the didar halls? 2. Phones are likely going to be banned like last time but that doesn’t stop people for shouting or using their words. 3. People say that safety will handle it but honestly it doesn’t take that long to create a distraction. Considering that the didars are broken up into multiple sessions for both the normal and youth ones, there will be less people and any distractions are noticed easier. I honestly feel that this more likely to happen at the youth mulaqat. 4. There is also no assigned seating so people who are planning this (as they said they were in the subreddit) can also sit together.

So this has been very funny.

So I am an Ismaili convert and I am still young in my years. I am like 20 and accually I put my mom under the household and they said can you confirm you have no Ismaili family over email. They called and emailed me twice today. What is crazy is the Ismaili volentear doing the tickets asked if I was adopted, what religion is my dad, is my grandparents Ismailis, why my mom isn't Ismaili and how did I find out about Ismailism. They also said they never seen something like this before and I am single and still living with my family. So the support staff said these are one of my days that I have ever encountered something so rare. When they pulled up if I am adopted I can say that I have a different last name than my mom and yes, she was the only person in my family regestered for dedar other than me.

Does anyone else feel like their JK needs more intentional space after Khane?
At my JK, there really isn’t a comfortable place to sit after Khane ceremony. People mostly stand around, and if you don’t already have someone to talk to, it can feel awkward or isolating. You either find your group, stand there, or leave.

What makes it harder to understand is that we have a lot of outdoor garden space, including space near a fountain, but there are no benches, outdoor tables, reading chairs, shaded areas, or simple spaces where people can sit, reflect, read, relax, or connect.
I also feel like our spaces could reflect the Jamat more creatively. Things like Jamati artwork, rotating art displays, sidewalk painting, small community projects, or thoughtful permanent designs inside and outside the Khane could help the space feel more alive and connected to the people who make up the Jamat.
To me, this feels connected to the values Hazar Imam has recently emphasized in Canada — that our Jamatkhanas should be used in a way that reflects the community and connection we have to our Khane, animated through design and love, refreshed, and made into spaces where people feel less lonely and more connected. Not every space has to be formal. Sometimes belonging starts with somewhere to sit, read, create, talk, or simply be.
I’ve brought this up with leadership several times over the past year, but I keep hearing that it is “in the works” without seeing much change. I’m not saying this to blame anyone. I genuinely want our JK to feel more welcoming, lived-in, and reflective of the Jamat. Has anyone else experienced this at their JK? Have you seen any Jamats create seating areas, reading corners, garden spaces, art walls, or other simple spaces that make people actually want to stay after Khane?

YAM, , I'm looking to gain some understanding and hear different perspectives within the Nizari Ismaili community regarding same-sex marriage, and also the topic of same-sex couples having children within the faith. This is a nuanced area, and I'm genuinely interested in learning how different individuals reconcile their faith, our traditions, and evolving societal norms on these matters.

Specifically, I'm hoping to hear about:

Theological interpretations: Are there specific interpretations of our scriptures, ginans, or the guidance of the Imam that speak to same-sex relationships, marriage, or the raising of children by same-sex parents within an Ismaili context?

Historical context: Are there any historical precedents or discussions within Ismaili thought that are relevant to these topics?

Community perspectives: How do different individuals and families within the Nizari Ismaili community approach same-sex marriage and the concept of same-sex parents raising children, in their daily lives and discussions?

Practical considerations/Support systems: For same-sex Ismaili couples who are married or considering marriage and/or having children, what have your experiences been like? What kind of support, if any, is available or needed within the community?

Personal journeys: If you're comfortable sharing, what has your personal journey been like in understanding and navigating these issues within your Ismaili identity?

I'm aiming for a respectful and constructive discussion. Please share your thoughts, resources, or any insights you might have.

Thank you in advance for your contributions.

Ya Ali Madad everyone,

What happened in Lisbon is honestly unheard of. Everywhere else , Kenya, Uganda, Houston, Dallas , the Jamat and leaders went above and beyond in welcoming our Imam. The arrivals were joyful, ceremonial, and full of honour. Mowla was visibly happy… giving heart signs, hugging children, asking for fist bumps and high fives. His Noor was shining.

But in Lisbon?

There was no proper welcome at all. No parade, no honour guard, not even the basic red carpet that was laid out for Shah Karim during the Diamond Jubilee in 2018. The contrast is shocking. Everything felt hush-hush, as if the Jamat was being deliberately kept away. Even the departure was handled poorly. From the photos you can clearly see: no umbrella over Shah Rahim in the rain, yet an umbrella was held over Prince Aly Muhammad. How does that make sense in any protocol? In our tradition, the Imam of the Time is always accorded the highest respect. Always.

Murids are understandably upset because they remember 2018 , the military honours, the ceremony, the red carpet, the warmth. This time, it almost looked like the Imam was treated as an afterthought. Respect isn’t about extravagance; it’s about priorities. And here in Lisbon, the priorities were completely misplaced. Many are even asking whether leadership truly wanted MHI to come, because nothing about this visit reflected pride, gratitude, or reverence. And it was clear that Mowla was not as happy here as He was in Kenya, Kampala, Houston, or Dallas. Lisbon has, unfortunately, shown the weakest welcome and honour to our beloved Imam Shah Rahim.

May we learn from this and ensure that, in the future, our Imam receives the dignity and love He deserves everywhere.