Members of the Jamat from France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Côte d’Ivoire, along with murids from the UK jurisdiction who were unable to travel to the UK, gathered for the historic Darbar at Porte de Versailles, the same venue where Mawlana Hazar Imam first met with the France Jamat in 1980. Hazar Imam complimented all volunteers for their excellent work, including many who had come from the UK to support the France volunteer corps, exemplifying a spirit of unity in service.

Delivering a Loyalty Address on behalf of the Jamat present, Ismaili Council for France President Shamir Samdjee expressed gratitude to Mawlana Hazar Imam. A gift of one of the earliest copies of the Holy Qur’an to have been made in China was also presented to Hazar Imam on behalf of the Jamat. The 15th century manuscript, transcribed by Rashad ibn ‘Ali al-Sini in Khanbaliq (modern day Beijing), has lines of Arabic Chinese script on each page and dates back to the fifth day of Muharram in 804AH.

The France Darbar is the first after the month of Ramadan and begins a schedule of European visits that will conclude the Diamond Jubilee. Mawlana Hazar Imam will soon arrive in the UK, and will visit Portugal in July to mark the culmination of the Diamond Jubilee year.