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[This special piece for Simerg is a revised version of the original article published in Khojawiki in July 2020 — Ed.] |
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Mohamed Hamir Pradhan (1880 – 1943). Photo: Hamir Collection. |
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Bachibai Mohamed Hamir Pradhan. Photo: Hamir Collection. |
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daughters |
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son and daughter-in law |
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Street scene with Iringa Ismaili Jamatkhana standing out prominently with its high tower and clock. The Jamatkhana was completed in 1933 with the support and initiative taken by Alijah Mohamed Hamir Pradhan. Photo: Courtesy Shafin Haji. |
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A close up view of Iringa Ismaili Jamatkhana, completed in 1933 with the support and initiative taken by Alijah Mohamed Hamir Pradhan. Photo: Courtesy Shafin Haji. |
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An enlarged view of the prominent bell clock of the Iringa Jamatkhana. Photo: Courtesy Shafin Haji. |
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Date posted: (10) |
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Mohamed Hamir |
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About the author: (2) |
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Before departing this website please take a moment to reviewSimerg’s Table of Contents for links to hundreds of thought provoking pieces on a vast array of subjects including faith and culture, history and philosophy, and arts and letters to name a few. (5) |
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Posted By: (10) |
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Category: (10) |
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Tags: (10) |
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The authors, Salim and Sultan Somani, acknowledge with thanks Nizar Adatia and Sultan Allidina for their valuable feedback and contribution to this article. |
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Map of Uganda. Image credit: Perry-Castañeda Collection / University of Texas. |
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Jinja. Victoria Nile above the Rippon Falls. Photo taken in 1936 on a flight with Imperial Airways on a World Trunk route following the Nile from the Delta to the Victoria Nile and the Victoria Lake. Photo: G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection / US Library of Congress. |
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“Indians first settled in Jinja in the early 1900s. During the late 19th century, Indians of mostly Sikh descent were brought to Uganda on three-year contracts, with the aid of Imperial British contractor Alibhai Mulla Jeevanjee, to build the Uganda Railway from Mombasa to Kisumu by 1901, to Jinja by 1920 and to Kampala by 1931. Some died, others returned to India after the end of their contracts, and others chose to settle. |
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“Hajji Tamachi was the first Indian settler in Jinja. He set up Jinja’s first shop and Post Office. Hajji Tamachi played a vital role in encouraging other Indians to settle and do business in Jinja. Other Indians followed suite, with Alidina Visram, Vithaldas and Kalidas also setting up shop. Vithaldas and Kalidas, Madhvani’s uncles, helped to tutor Madhvani in business. Madhavani would later single handedly transform Jinja.” |
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musafar (2) |
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khana (2) |
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In the top photo, younger and older members of the Jamat are seen gathered at the entrance to the Jamatkhana building at the time of the opening, a proud moment indeed for the Jamat of Jinja. The second photo shows antique cars parked in the front of the Jamatkhana building, indicating that even at that time there were affluent members in the Jamat. Photos: Fidai Magazine, 1885-1936 Golden Jubilee Number. |
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A photo of the Ismaili Jamatkhana in Jinja taken in 2008. Note the presence of a wall around the building which was missing when the Jamatkhana was first built. See preceding image. Photo: © Nazlin Rahemtulla. |
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Shams Somani, who was on an a***ignment as a volunteer teacher with Aga Khan Schools Uganda during the year 1999-2000, is seen standing in front of the building adjacent to the Jamatkhana building where religious education cla***es were held. Next to the cla***rooms was the musafar khana (or traveller’s residence) and a residence for the Jamatbhai (caretaker of the Jamatkhana). Photo: Gulamali Kara Somani Family Collection |
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musafar khana |
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Jamatbhai |
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dharmic (2) |
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Baitul Ilm |
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waez |
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Younger students of Jinja’s Ismaili religious education cla***es pictured with visiting Alwaez Juma, members of the Ismailia a***ociation and the Jamatbhai, Dhanjibhai, standing at back centre, with hands folded. Seated front row left to right: Mr. Sadru Jiwani, Mr. Fazal Gulamhussein, Alwaez Gulamhussein Juma, Mrs. Maleksultan Hemani, Mr. Yusuf Adatia and Mr. Gulamali Kara Somani, our father (pop****rly called ‘Sir’). |
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Individuals who can identify themselves or can be identified through their friends and colleagues are invited to present their names to Simerg@aol.com for a caption update. (2) |
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Photo: Gulamali Kara Somani Family Collection (9) |
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Younger as well as some older students of Jinja’s Ismaili religious education cla***es pictured with visiting Alwaez Juma, members of the Ismailia a***ociation and the Jamatbhai, Dhanjibhai, standing at back, second from left, with gla***es. Seated front row left to right: Mr. Sadru Jiwani, Mr. Fazal Gulamhussein, Alwaez Gulamhussein Juma, Mrs. Maleksultan Hemani, Mr. Yusuf Adatia and Mr. Gulamali Kara Somani, our father (pop****rly called ‘Sir’). Individuals who can identify themselves or can be identified through their friends and colleagues are invited to present their names to Simerg@aol.com for a caption update. Photo: Gulamali Kara Somani Family Collection. |
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All girls! Students of Jinja’s Ismaili religious education cla***es pictured with visiting Alwaez Juma and members of the Ismailia a***ociation. Seated front row left to right: Mr. Sadru Jiwani, Mr. Fazal Gulamhussein, Alwaez Gulamhussein Juma, Mrs. Maleksultan Hemani, Mr. Yusuf Adatia and Mr. Gulamali Kara Somani, our father (pop****rly called ‘Sir’). |
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Dhanjibhai – see previous group photos |
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igri |
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waras |
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wara (2) |
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maasi (2) |
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mogo (4) |
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makaara |
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sigri |
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ambli |
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Jinja Ismailia a***ociation members. Sitting left to right: Mrs. s***rin Haji Bachu, Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Jamal (Chairman) and Mrs. Noorbanu Mohamed Mitha; and standing are Mr. Gulamali Kara Somani (our father: ‘sir’) and Ms. Malek Alarakhia, who was a secular school teacher. |
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waezeen |
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The Jinja Aga Khan Provincial Council in session. Sitting clockwise from left are Mr. Sadru Mitha, Mr. Abdul Ramji, Mr. Haji Bachu, Mr. Abdul Devji, Mr. Badru Gulamhussein Adatia (Secretary), Mr. Haroon R. Khamis (Council President), Mrs. Gulshan Adatia, Mr. Madat Hemani, and Mr. Sadru Walji Adatia. |
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Photo: Via author contacts. |
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Members of the Jinja Ismaili Entertainment Committee. Seated left to right: Sadrudin V. Virani (Hon. Treasurer), Sadrudin Mitha (Ismaili Youth Organization, IYO, member), Madat Shariff (Chairman), Parin Jamani (Hon. Secretary); standing left to right: Zebun Mitha, Nizar Shariff, Zebun Khamis, Bahadur Shamji, Gulzar J. Karim and Amirali A. Lalani. |
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Photo: Via author contacts |
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sagridaam jaman |
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pillau (2) |
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deg (2) |
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thalaas |
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dandiya raas |
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raas garba |
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Back row, left to right: R. L. Avasthi, Bahal Singh, L. A. Gomes, B. S. Bhabuta, C. M. Bas***r, R. C. Saksena, S. V. Ayyar, P. S. Nayar, Jaswant Singh, A. D. Oza and C. P. Bhabuta; Middle row, left to right: D. B. Deshpande, Beant Singh (Sr. Master Eng.) K. M. Chakravartty, R. S. Aggarwal, J. C. Aggarwalla, Sheikh M. Hussain, B. S. Batra, S. Chakraborti (Sr. Master Hist.), A. A. Khan (Sr. Master Urdu), and H. P. Jos***; and Seated left to right: Miss J. K. Sandhu, Mrs. J. K. Sangha, Mrs. P. Da***, R. N. Banernjee (Headmaster), N. R. Metha (Chief a***tt,), Miss G. Allidina, Mrs. M. Saxana, and Mrs. S. Desai. |
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Takhtnas***ni |
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Mawlana Hazar Imam arriving at Jinja and being received by the Jamati leaders***p. Here he is seen blessing Kamadia Haji Bachu with Kamadiani s***rin standing next to him. Immediately behind Hazar Imam is Mukhi Shamsudin Mohamed (with hat). Leaning on the car is Alwaez Jaffererali Sufi. On the extreme right is our father (‘Sir’) in full uniform, standing behind Mr. Haji Molu, his colleague. |
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Having just been been garlanded, Mawlana Hazar Imam is blessing Mrs. Jenabai Karim. In the foreground, dressed in white with a hat is Mr. Sadruddin Karim, who was the designated driver. In volunteer uniform from left to right are: Mr. Amin Alarakhia, Mr. Haji Molu and our father, Mr. Gulamali Kara Somani (‘Sir’). Immediately behind the policeman (in shorts) is President Mr. Haji Ras***d Khamis (in a light colored suit and dark gla***es). |
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Mawlana Hazar Imam paid a visit to the Jinja Provincial Council Chamber during his 1958 visit. In this photograph, he is seen conferring with the leaders of the Jamat. Seen from left to right are President Haji Ras***d Khamis, person standing (not visible), person standing (unknown), Kamadia Haji Bachu, Mawlana Hazar Imam, Mrs. Zohrakhanu Allidina (seated), who held the portfolio of Member for Women and Mukhi Shamsudin Mohamed (standing). |
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Photo: Allidina Family Collection |
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The Jinja Ismaili volunteers in full uniform on duty in 1958 during Mawlana Hazar Imam’s arrival. Standing from right to left: Our father Gulamali Kara Somani (Lieutenant), Haji Molu (Lieutenant) |
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Amin Alarakhia, Bahadur Fazal, Ha***am Mawji, Ahmed Jamal, Madat Khamis, Feroz Khamis, Sultan Allidina and Nizar Sheriff. |
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Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives at Entebbe Airport for his visit to Uganda in 1966. |
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Mawlana Hazar Imam leaving the Ismaili Council Chamber building surrounded by his murids, trying to get a last glimpse before his departure. From left to right are Amir Madhavji, Zulfikar Devji, Abdul Alarakhia, Mehboob Charania, Malik Ka***im-Lakha, Salim Somani, Nizar Sheriff and Sadruddin Karim. |
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Photo taken in 2000 on the steps of previously used Jinja Council Chamber/Office building, which is now used as a Jamatkhana by the Jinja Jamat. Among those pictured in the front row are Mukhianisaheba of Jinja (3rd from left), originally from Northern p****stan, ITREB Uganda Chairman Anil Samji, Religious Education Coordinator Karim Jiwani, and Kamadiasaheb of Jinja Jamat; in middle row at left is Shams Somani of Montreal who was on voluntary a***ignment in Uganda with Aga Khan Schools during 1999-2000; and in back row are Council Secretary Sh****ina Hasham with her husband Salim Hasham, ITREB District Member. Photo: Gulamali Kara Somani Family Collection. |
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Gulamali Kara Somani (1924 – 2010). |
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Taishokoto |
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wa’ez (2) |
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dandiya |
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raas |
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garba |
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Bait-ul Ilm |
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Majalis |
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Mukhi |
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Kamadia |
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Salim, in volunteers uniform, 1966 |
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Sultan Somani with his daughter, Sarah |
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The poem was composed on July 30, 2020). |
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Please click on image to see complete story in The Was***ngton Post. |
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Featured image at top of page (NASA photo): |
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Please click on image for full article and more photos at a***ociated Press Website |
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Featured image at top of page: |
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Last updated: |
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Crescent moon over the front main entrance of the Ismaili Centre Toronto. Please click for story and photos. |
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The poem was composed on May 18, 2020). |
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The poem was composed on May 10, 2020). |
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The poem was composed on May 27, 2020). |
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Farah Tejani |
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Before departing this website please take a moment to review Simerg’s Table of Contents for links to hundreds of thought provoking pieces on a vast array of subjects including faith and culture, history and philosophy, and arts and letters to name a few. |
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Story continues after photo (2) |
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Shariff Alladina’s parents, Alladin and Prembai. Photo: Safder Alladina |
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Shariff and Zera Alladina Patney, 1930. Photo: Safder Alladina Collection. |
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Jeere waala Paat madaviney chok puravo |
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riyaz (2) |
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Shamshu Jamal (1936-2019). Photo: Shamshu Jamal family archives. |
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(with contributions from Dolatkhanu Jamal, Rosemin Karim, Riyaz Jamal, Imran Karim and Irshad Karim) |
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story continues after photo (2) |
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Shamshu Jamal and colleagues performing in Dar es Salaam in the 1960’s. Photo: Shamshu Jamal family archives. |
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Shamshu Jamal and fellow musicians performing in Vancouver in the 2010s. Photo: Shamshu Jamal family archives. |
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geet |
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Translation |
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Subject: |
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Karim H. Karim |