Dallas’ excitement for Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Diamond Jubilee spilled over from the bustling Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center to the Omni Hotel next door.
The Omni had changed its iconic light display - all 23 feet of it - to say “Diamond Jubilee.” From afar, passersby could recognized the special occasion.
Inside the Convention Center, thousands of Jamati members from Central Texas gathered for the daylong festivities, beginning with the “One Jamat Launch,” which included a parade highlighting the various Jamati institutions and the people they touch.
The procession included a performance by the popular Ismaili Pipe Band of Central USA and the newly formed Ismaili Youth Drumline. About a dozen Jamati members then serenaded the crowd with the original tribute song, “With Heart, With Love.”
Once the stage cleared, 40 dancers performed alongside moving images of Hazar Imam visiting the Jamat’s home countries.
In our 1400-year history, only five Imams have reached this 60-year milestone. The Jamat in Dallas, Texas joined millions of Ismailis around the world who started this Jubilee year by paying homage to Mawlana Hazar Imam and his six decades of work.
Tributes of Gratitude and Reflection
In the weeks leading up to July 11, Jamati members, from the youngest student to the highest of leadership, expressed eagerness for this momentous Imamat Day by reflecting and preparing.
For example, teenagers in the Diamond Journey camps over the last month wrote poems for the Imam on pieces of fabric that were weaved into a turban.
“To be honest, I cannot even believe we’re already there,” said Dallas Headquarters Jamatkhana Mukhi-Saheb Minhaz Lakhani. “It’s kind of dream coming true. There’s been so much going on, but today is flowing like water. Shukar.”
For Mahnaz Ashoori, a Texas Tech University student, seeing moving images of the Syrian Jamat behind the Jubilee dancers particularly tugged at the heartstrings. Reflected Mahnaz, “The Syrian Jamat has been put through a lot, but they still find hope in their faith in Hazar Imam, and find reasons to celebrate in his Diamond Jubilee.”
“Through Hazar Imam’s guidance, I think there is a lot more to be done,” added Nizar Didarali, President for the Ismaili Council for Central USA. “We hope to take alleviation of poverty to a new level.”
When asked about Mawlana Hazar Imam’s significance in her life, 4-year-old Zenya Jiwani’s voice perked up. “He’s the best spiritual father,” she said. “We’re celebrating his 60 years of Imamat. And I hope he has 60, and 61, and 62, and 63, and 64, and 65...” Her voice got louder as she grinned wider and counted onward.
A Legacy of Seva
Diamond Jubilee would not have been the same without the several thousand volunteers who, with or without the uniform, came to serve the Jamat on such a large occasion.
Aqeel Habib, an assistant youth facilitator at Dallas Headquarters Jamatkhana, started volunteering at a young age after seeing his father’s involvement in the Jamat. “At first, I volunteered because I wanted to be like him,” Aqeel said. “As I went through the process, I became more aware that I could pass on that knowledge. That's why I became a leader.”
Ali Tejani, a 23-year-old University of Texas Southwestern medical student, contributed his expertise and knowledge by volunteering in the first aid booth. He said Hazar Imam’s continuous support of healthy lifestyle changes inspired him to pursue medicine as a career path. “All seva is seva, but I can think and say, I’ve contributed my unique service,” Ali said. “Opportunities like serving at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations remind us that hard work put into studying allows us to, one day, better serve the Jamat.”
In his uniform, ready to serve the entire day, 9-year-old Zain Dharsi came to Dallas from Oklahoma City to volunteer so he could begin to repay the debt he believes he owes to the Imam. “He does a lot for us, so I volunteered so I can say thank you for 60 years of service,” Zain said.
“All the hard work and planning was all worth it, because all the Jamat – they enjoyed the moment,” commented President Didarali. “We were able to enhance the experience of the Jamat in spirit and reality.”
In this spirit of gratefulness and revelry, the thousands of Central Texas Jamati members played raas into the night to ring in the Jubilee year.