Ismailis In United States Of America, And United Kingdom

By Author: Ibrahim Machiwala Lodhi
Total Articles: 396
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Ismailis in United Kingdom:
The small group of the Ismaili students started a small Jamatkhana in London in 1935. The number of the Jamatkhana also increased rapidly after 1972. In 1984, there were over 70 Jamatkhana in United Kingdom. Thus, the first Darkhana Jamatkhana opened in London on April 10, 1984. In 1951, a religious, cultural and social center was established by the Ismaili jamat at Kensington Court, and in 1957 was moved to Palace Gate in the Borough of Kensington. In order to meet the increased needs of a growing community, the majority of whom had settled in or around London, a site for a new center was identified in 1971 at Albany Street in the London Borough of Camden. Lord Soames, the President of the Council in the presence of the Present Imam performed the foundation stone ceremony on September 6, 1979. The construction on the site began on July 7, 1980.

In his message of November 25, 1977, the Present Imam announced the formation of the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London. In October, 2003, the Institute celebrated the 25th anniversary. The celebrations reflected the very nature of the Institute, ...
... its evolution and the global Ismaili Muslim community. On 19th October, 2003, fifteen students of the class of 2004, from seven countries, received certificates at a Graduation Ceremony presided over by the Imam. More than 1600 guests witnessed the event held at Le Meridian Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Addressing the students, the Imam said, "You have opted to undertake a systematic study of your heritage. I hope that you feel that this choice has not been in vain.

Ismailis in United States:
"The first Jamatkhana in United States was opened on December 13, 1967 at Chicago. The Imam had sent the following message on February 8, 1967:-

"I have received your letter of 20th January, and I give my best paternal maternal loving blessings to all beloved spiritual children mentioned in your letter for their devoted services on the occasion of the Majlas held on my birthday.

I agree that you may establish the first Jamatkhana in the United States of America, and I send you my warmest congratulations on this occasion. I appoint with my most affectionate paternal maternal loving blessings the following beloved spiritual children as Mukhi and Kamadia:-

Mukhi - Mr. Amirali Rehmat

Kamadia - Mr. Amirali Bhimji

I give my most affectionate paternal maternal loving blessings for service submitted on the occasion of the first Majlas with best loving blessings for service to Miss Fariyal Sheriff. I am most happy indeed with the establishment of the first Jamatkhana in the United States and hope that I will soon be able to visit it."