Old photo of the Aga Khan

Photo sent to me by Abdul Hamid of Lebanon:

His Highness the Aga Khan while in Syria dated 31st July 1959 wearing the Arabic "EGAL".

A Wonderful Two Weeks

I got back to Boston last Monday after two wonderful weeks of premiering the film in Lebanon, Switzerland, and the DR Congo in Arabic, German, and French respectively. (We also did a second screening in Congo in Gujarati). The next few posts will seem to be out of order, as probably the last few posts seem to be as well: I am trying to catch up on blogging and will focus on different aspects in no particular order.

One of the most interesting experiences was at the Beirut International Film Festival. I rarely meet Muslim filmmakers and if I do, it is very briefly with a quick exchange of e-mail addresses. At the film festival it was the first time I got to meet, in one place, so many Muslim filmmakers - and to really get to know them as we spent so much time together including at screenings, dinners, and evening events. One of the questions I was curious to answer and posed to my new friends : Are we Muslim filmmakers or are we filmmakers who happen to be Muslim? Watch for my post on this soon...

It was refreshing traveling where by circumstance, I could get away from the constant news coverage of the heated US Presidential race. I did see Colin Powell endorse Obama as it was big news overseas. Powell said something I have been thinking for months:

"I'm also troubled by, not what Sen. McCain says, but what members of the party say, and it is permitted to be said such things as: "Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim." Well, the correct answer is: he is not a Muslim. He's a Christian. He's always been a Christian. But the really right answer is: What if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer is: No, that's not America. Is there something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim-American kid believing he or she can be president?"*

Well said Powell.


*Source: Salon.com

Struck Gold – The Last Lebanese Ismaili

The Middle East Premiere - Beirut, Lebanon - Day 3 - Oct 7

The phone calls and e-mails finally led to success. I think I found what may be the last Lebanese Ismaili living in Beirut. And I think you all know him from the film.

Remember this shot:


This is 1957 when Prince Aly Khan landed in Beirut and drove to Syria to tell the Ismailis there that his son is the rightful successor to the Imamate and to follow him. Look at the person on Prince Aly Khan’s right (the person at the far left of the screen). This is Abdul Hamid El-Fil. He is a Lebanese Ismaili still living in Beirut – and I met him! The above is a frame from the film. This is Abdul Hamid’s photo of the same event:


Virtually identical.

Abdul Hamid is wonderful person with incredible stories – and lots of great photos.
This is one of them that he says is of that same event when Prince Aly Khan drove to Syria. Abdul Hamid is in the passenger seat with Prince Aly Khan behind the wheel.



Abdul Hamid (born in 1931) told me how his father was close to the previous Aga Khan and how they had gone to the funeral in Aswan. Since then Abdul Hamid has accompanied Prince Sadruddin, Prince Aly Khan and the current Aga Khan when they used to visit Beirut. It was with much happiness, he tells me, that when the Aga Khan visited Syria this past August, Abdul Hamid went there to attend an event. He retells that the Aga Khan was shaking the line of stretched hands when he saw Abdul Hamid and said enthusiastically in French, “Oh, here is the family of Lebanon. It has been fifty years.”

Abdul Hamid was very moved.

Though he has not had much contact with the community for the past few decades, Abdul Hamid still has the love and affection for it and its Imam, and with many fond memories.

The (Aga Khan-following) Ismailis are designated as one of the official religions of Lebanon as listed in Lebanon’s Constitution. There is no community remaining though as most Ismailis, he says, left during the numerous wars in Lebanon.

His wife jokes that during one of the evacuations, they started frantically packing, and Abdul Hamid ran for the photos of him and his family with the Aga Khan. His wife said, “What about the valuables and the jewelery?” He said, “Those are all replaceable. These pictures are not!”

They eventually returned back to their home. Plus they have a factory in Bekaa, Lebanon.

Abdul Hamid tells me of how he got his business started in Lebanon: it was through the Aga Khan. The Aga Khan introduced him to the Madhvani family of East Africa in the 60’s. At that time, the Madhvani's were looking to get into textiles. Abdul Hamid knew a German girl whose family was involved in textiles and introduced them to each other which eventually led to a deal. Instead of getting the 5% commission for the deal introduction, Abdul Hamid just asked the Madhvani family to invest in a glass factory in Lebanon. A deal was struck and they went into business together.

The factory has done really well until it was bombed in Israeli air strikes during the 2006 war. I had to ask if it was a legitimate business. He said of course. I asked why he thinks they bombed it. He said Israel was probably trying to destroy the infrastructure of the country. Or maybe they have glass factories of their own and saw his as competition. I asked him and his family if they have ill feelings towards Israel? They said no, rhetorically asking, “How can you have ill feelings to all of the people? You can have ill feelings towards policies, not to all the people.”

Abdul Hamid’s wife is Sunni and their three kids are the same as her. He emphasizes we are all Muslim. Later he adds that his experience as an Ismaili has been formative and wishes his kids could have that interaction with the community as it is like a close-knit family. His daughter adds, "The stories he has told you today - we kids have never heard them. We didn't even know they existed. But we are very happy to have heard this side." Abdul Hamid said that watching the film has been a spark to these memories and adds that these stories from decades ago are as if he can see them right in front of his eyes again. "It is like it is just happening. Memories I make a few months ago, I may forget. These memories are vividly etched in my mind."


Abdul Hamid gave me these links and photos to share:
An article on the bombing of his factory: Daily Star
A post on when the Aga Khan came to Beirut: Ismaili.net

Hassan El-Fil (left), father of Abdul Hamid, with His Highness the Aga Khan (right) and Mustafa Mirza of Syria (center)

Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan with Abdul Hamid El-Fil at the El-Fil residence

Bombay 1957, the Aga Khan (left) and Abdul Hamid (right)

His Highness the Aga Khan received by a few Ismailis from Lebanon. Abdul Hamid is standing far left.

Prince Aly Khan at Beirut Airport's official lounge. On his right, Mustafa Mirza (ex Minister of Syria) and on his left Abdul Hamid El-Fil.

Prince Sadruddin at Beirut Airport's official lounge. Abdul Hamid is on the right.

At a gathering at the El-Fil residence with Prince Sadruddin.

Bombay 1957: His Highness the Aga Khan with Abdul Hamid El-Fil. Abdul Hamid says it was around this time when he pledged spiritual allegiance to the Aga Khan

On a visit to the El-Fil residence in the mountains of Lebanon, the Aga Khan and Abdul Hamid walk together.

Abdul Hamid (left) and Shamir (right) at the El-Fil residence - Oct 7, 2008

Aga Khan Film – Middle East Premiere - Day 2

Aga Khan Film – Middle East Premiere - Beirut, Lebanon

Day 2 – Screening 2 – Oct 6, 2008

I did not make much progress on finding a Nizari Ismaili Muslim in Lebanon. Phone calls and e-mails have not led anywhere. Plus it was a busy day watching films, meeting filmmakers, and doing interviews. (yes, yes, what a hard life ☺ ). The only lead I have is that my friend, Vanessa, (a non-Ismaili – not really relevant but it may be pertinent later as the journey continues), said she has a friend who thinks knows of someone who knows someone who is an Ismaili. This is becoming a slightly convoluted journey.

I did meet Vanessa’s friend (who asked I not reveal her real name b/c she works in a public role), whom we will call …”Maria”. “Maria” (again, not an Ismaili) came to the screening and introduced herself to me, calling the film insightful and then handing me a piece of paper with a bunch of phone numbers…numbers that were not Lebanese. Hmmm….its not looking positive...

Some of the Questions from the Q+A for the last 2 screenings:

Do I see it as a problem that the Ismailis have an unconditional love to their Imam? Do they criticize him?

Who will be the next Imam? Can it be his daughter?

Why does the Aga Khan live in France? Are there Ismailis there? Why does he live so far from his people?

Does the Aga Khan speak Arabic?

Can a leader really be this good?

Inshallah, I will have more time tomorrow to write-up my answers to the above.


(By the way, I am really excited about the Special Screening hosted by the British and Canadian Embassies!)

British and Canadian Ambassadors to Host Aga Khan Film

The final chance to catch a screening of AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE in Beirut:

The British Ambassador to Lebanon Frances Guy and her respective embassy and the Canadian Ambassador to Lebanon Martial Pagé and his respective embassy will host AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE: the Aga Khan and the Ismailis with the Political Science and Public Administration Student Society at AUB. The screening will happen on Oct 9th at 18:30 at West Hall, Bathish Auditorium, the American University of Beirut. The film will play in English with Arabic subtitles and it will be followed by a panel discussion. See you there!

The Middle East Premiere - Beirut, Lebanon - Oct 5, 2008

AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE premiered in the Middle East October 5th in Lebanon at the Beirut International Film Festival! And in my opinion formed through the discussions and responses, the audience seemed to be very pleased often times raising "Why have we never heard of the story of the Aga Khan and the Ismailis before? This is an important story that more people need to know about."

The questions, which came in rapid succession one after the other during the Q+A, ranged from people who, pre-film, knew nothing about the Aga Khan and the Ismailis to those who knew a modest amount, partially because the Aga Khan had received an honourary degree at the American University of Beirut a few years back and partially because of the horses and divorces stories.

This was the first time that none of the members of the audience, I suspect, were Aga Khan-following Ismailis (it is important to make this distinction, esp in Lebanon, as there are a few branches of Ismailism, one of which, the Nizari Ismailis, follow the Aga Khan). BUT BUT BUT I heard through a friend of a friend that there are a few Nizari Ismailis still left in Beirut. I am on mission to find at least one.

Details of the Q+A and my mission to find an Ismaili in Lebanon to be continued...

Beirut - Landed

Landed in Beirut a few hours ago - so happy to be here again.

Met up with some friends and getting excited for tomorrow (well, technically today, as it is 4am).

I am going to finally sleep in and get at least 6 hours of sleep - something I haven't been able to for the past week or more. And the good news: my crackberry doesnt work. :)

More good news: the Ministry of Culture can't email me :))

(well technically they can, I just wont get it in time)

Till tomorrow/later today, 

Sweet dreams.

Article on the Film in the Lebanese Press

Source: http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=61253&MID=123&PID=2

Islam as a mosaic

A look at the Aga Khan and the Ismaili people

Alice Fordham, NOW Staff , October 3, 2008

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Imam (spirtual leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan (C) is welcomed at the Taj Residency Ummed in Ahmedabad on May 16, 2008. (AFP PHOTO/ Sam PANTHAKY)

Prince Karim Aga Khan IV has a reputation more playboy than pastoral. This is a man who owns over 600 racehorses and who, earlier this year, spent $200 million on a yacht, named it Alamshar after a favorite horse and was said to be furious when it failed to break the world superyacht speed record. He has been married twice, both times to aristocratic European beauties, and divorced twice. All this glitter, plus all the gold (he was in 2005 the world's 68th richest person, although his second divorce diminished his wealth a little), is more widely covered than his role as 49th Imam of the world's 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims.

Shamir Allibhai wants to change that. His film, An Islamic Conscience, premiers in Beirut on Sunday. In a world of fears about Islamic fundamentalism, he wants to paint a picture of Islam as a “mosaic rather than a monolith”, taking as his theme the Ismailis and the life of their leader, the Aga Khan, beyond the glitz.

The Ismaili people represent only a fraction of the global Muslim population, which numbers well over a billion, and as a community within Shia Islam believe that after Mohammad’s death, his cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali, became the first Imam. The principle difference lies in their devotion to their Imam, the Aga Khan, who is held to be a direct descendant of the prophet and may appoint his successor from any of his male descendants.

This young director believes that the Ismailis represent a tolerance, moderation and equality to be treasured. In person, Allibhai is warm and witty, but it is clear that he sees his film as a work with a serious message, even an agenda.

He has, he told NOW Extra, wanted to make the film for years, especially since traveling with the Aga Khan and being impressed with his huge development program, but Allibhai sees it as more than a biopic. “It is,” he says, “about the Aga Khan on a primary level - who he is, the theology behind the Ismailis - the side of Islam that you don't hear much about.”

But, he continues, “on a higher level, it's about the divides between the Muslim and non-Muslim world and within the Muslim world itself. There are many people in the West who associate Islam with terrorism or bin Laden or Saddam Hussein, but there's a plurality of viewpoints within Islam.” He wanted to tell the story of a people with more moderate beliefs.

At a screening of An Islamic Conscience in Tajikistan

The Aga Khan himself, who celebrated his golden jubilee as leader this year, also presents the Ismailis as a tolerant and enlightened people. Interviewed in the film, he says, “What we are trying to do is bring this idea of intellect as part of faith forward in what we’re trying to achieve.” He also emphasizes the importance of equality to Ismailis, who pray side by side in mosques, with the women discouraged from veiling. Discussing the importance of educating girls, he condemns the, “tendency in parts of the Islamic world to see education as a trampoline to let women take positions in society which the Muslim world – or Muslims – might consider inappropriate.”

Excellent news for a world that needs more equality and education, and coverage of the Aga Khan foundation’s work in building hospitals and schools is inspiring. But still, one can’t help thinking, as one learns that for Ismailis to lay eyes on their Imam is a more profound experience than visiting Mecca, as the idea of the tithe paid to him is explained – does he really need that many racehorses? Does a spiritual leader need a resort on Sardinia? Can his followers respect a leader whose ex-wife sold her jewels at auction for millions? To its credit, the film does not shy away from asking questions – although it answers resoundingly that riches are no obstacle to spiritual leadership.

The Aga Khan himself explains patiently that Islam does not make a distinction between faith and wealth. It just states, he says, “don’t abuse the wealth. Use what you need to live appropriately and be generous with the rest.” His followers, too, vigorously defend his lifestyle and riches.

His life itself is fascinating. This Harvard-educated, charming and cosmopolitan man took on his role as imam at the age of 20, and the archive footage of his father’s huge international role in the early part of the 20th century is one of the film’s most interesting aspects. But the film also manages to squash into a few richly informative minutes the whole history of the Ismaili people.

Allibhai says that it was his “disposition as an Ismaili” that made him want to tell a story that had never really been told before. He particularly strove to speak for marginalized Ismaili communities, like some of those living in Tajikistan.

“Tajikistan,” he says, “was one place where it was definitely tough to make this film. I felt that I spoke for the silenced voices within Islam… It's not just the West who's silencing moderate Muslims. Oftentimes, Muslims pretend that there are no divides within the Muslim world itself, and it is this lack of acceptance, of tolerance, of dialogue that burdens me.

“When they going got tough for me, during the filming,” he says, “the silenced people were who we were fighting for. The people of Tajikistan were part of this. We felt that there's a huge, loyal Ismaili community out there, who have been marginalized at times. We were fighting for them.”

In Tajikistan, there was some official resistance to the dissemination of the film, but they did set up a screening in the capital, Dushanbe. But once in the country, they heard that in Khorog there were people who wanted to see the film Allibhai tells how his contacts in the area told him: “just come, don't worry, it'll be fine.”

“We were in community centres,” says Allibhai, “it was wonderful. Sometimes they would bring their own generators and plug in all the equipment and we would just set up a screen and just - go.”

Allibhai correctly shies away from schmaltz, and his film is not without bias. But it is good to be reminded, in a world where religion too often is used to justify violence and intolerance, that faith can be an inspiring and a beautiful thing.

An Islamic Conscience is showing at the Empire Sofil, Achrafieh, on Sunday October 5 at 7.30pm. For more showings click here.

Aga Khan Film - The Middle East Premiere in Beirut

From the e-mail blast that just went out:


Dear all

As the divides between the Muslim and non-Muslim world, and within the Muslim world itself, seem to be getting worse - not better - it is time to hear the story of an Islamic spiritual leader who has persevered for fifty years to bridge them. This is the story of His Highness the Aga Khan and the community he leads, the Ismailis, told for the first time through film.

Will you join us for the Middle East Premiere at the Beirut International Film Festival?

AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE: the Aga Khan and the Ismailis
directed by multiple Emmy-award winning filmmaker Bill Cran

Beirut International Film Festival, Beirut, Lebanon

Oct 5th - 7:30pm * Oct 6th - 5pm * Oct 7th - 10pm

Empire Sofil - Achrafiyeh

Post-film discussion with Filmmaker/Producer Shamir Allibhai

Trailer: http://www.AgaKhanFilm.org
Blog: http://agakhanfilm.blogspot.com

_oOo_

Born into a world of wealth and privilege, he devotes his life to eliminating poverty and inequality. A religious leader who traces his ancestry back to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), he struggles to balance the traditional with the modern.

For the past five decades, the Aga Khan has been the spiritual leader and Imam of the 15 million Ismaili Muslims in a world that has changed dramatically. From the end of colonialism and the expulsion of the Asians in Uganda to the fall of the Iron Curtain and 9/11, the Aga Khan has struggled for a common humanity in a divided world.

At a time when Islam is at odds with itself and with the West, the Aga Khan represents a voice of moderation, speaking out for pluralism and diversity, and promoting dialogue between civilizations.

But will he be heard?




See you at the screenings!

Best wishes

Aga Khan Film team