Years of anticipation, and many months of planning and preparations culminated into moments of exhilaration as the Southeast Jamat got together to celebrate the much awaited Diamond Jubilee of Mawlana Hazar Imam. As the exuberant Jamat from Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina entered the Georgia International Convention Center for the Diamond Jubilee Opening Ceremonies, they were welcomed with smiles, hugs, and a cheerful greeting of "Diamond Jubilee Mubarak!" 

 

Leading the musical celebration was Tamina Navid, a 26-year-old, who explained that the singers and musicians were mostly extended family members – now a part of the Atlanta Jamat, with roots in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The music stirred emotions, and a number of spectators joined Tamina’s grandmother, Mosalima Altafi, in a spontaneous dance. The 80-year old Mosalima had tears in her eyes and was touched to see the Jamat’s joy in the music that took her back to memories of Khushiali celebrations in Afghanistan.  

 

Bahadurali H. Kassam, one of the pioneers of the Atlanta Jamat, was one of the very few at the event to have had the opportunity to experience Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah’s Diamond Jubilee in 1946 as a child in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. For him, it was “a great feeling” to have a second opportunity to experience the Diamond Jubilee of an Imam.  

 

Festivities filled the halls as families and friends greeted each other and took pictures at the selfie booths, and had their first glimpse of the Diamond Jubilee memorabilia. For their trip to the beautifully decorated Reflections Lounge, Jamati members received a commemorative Jubilee Passport that allowed them to explore the area. Artistic sculptures which the Jamat helped create as part of the Jubilee Mosaic activity, adorned the lounge.

 

Aamir Rahman, a student from Memphis, Tennessee, explained the Diamond Gems game at the Jubilee Adventure Park. “Kids learn the value of time and knowledge through this game. The more time and knowledge you give, the better your chances of winning the game. It’s the same way in life, the more Time and Knowledge you give to Hazar Imam and his institutions, the more blessings and success will fill your life.” Other interesting games included the Treasure hunt, Jeopardy, Minute to Win It, and Family Feud.

 

At the ECD Zone, three-year old Shanaya Jiwani worked diligently at gluing gems and colored felt on her Diamond Jubilee Book. Nearby, Anjiya Petani, a nine-year old uniformed volunteer, helped younger children create discovery bottles. “These bottles look like the sea. They are glittery and magical,” said Anjiya.  

 

A key feature of the Reflections Lounge was My Journey to Homage. Sehar Ali, a Content Facilitator, explained that “the exhibition highlights events from the last 60 years of Imamat, and encourages viewers to reflect on how these events and the work of Imamat institutions has impacted their lives." When asked to recall their first memories of Hazar Imam, the sentiments most quoted were “blessed” excited” and “thankful.”  

 

The Southeast Pipe Band, consisting of approximately 30 male and female musicians enticed the Jamat to join a parade by leaders from the Ismaili Council and various Jamatkhanas. In a gesture of solidarity, the leaders carried hand-painted banners with the Diamond Jubilee wishes created by their respective Jamats. The hall echoed with applause as the Matki Band, with more than 240 seniors paraded with their musical instruments. The energized audience, chanted, “We are Southeast. We are One Jamat. Diamond Jubilee Mubarak.”  

 

In his address to the Jamat, Murad Abdullah, President of Ismaili Council for the Southeastern USA reflected that the United States Jamat is “fortunate to serve other Jamats around the world. We come from different parts of the world but are united under the leadership of Mawlana Hazar Imam.”

 

The One Jamat performances began with the Jubilee Song, “I am Always With You.” Shireen Pirani, the group’s singing coach said, “Our piece, by nature, was composed with the intent of illustrating the culturally diverse nature of our global Jamat, and it was also composed as a nazrana to Hazar Imam. I hope that this sentiment shines through and that the piece inspires a feeling of unity and togetherness in the entire community.”  

 

Awed by the One Jamat performance, Daniyal Inamullah, an interfaith spouse, said “What really stood out was the focus on the celebration of unity between various cultures around the world. From a volatile climate in Aleppo to here at home in the US, the narratives of various cultures all coalescing around a single message of peace and inclusion was one of the more poignant points I drew from this unique experience today.”

 

The final performance, the “Light Upon Light” dance, began with two performers entering the stage and finding a treasure chest of glowing orbs, symbolizing light.  This light was then transferred to dancers through Afghan, Tajik, Persian, and Indo-Pak dance segments. Amreen  Lalani, the Performance Lead, said that the 45 performers came from every Jamatkhana in the region, and that the passing of light had multiple layers of symbolism, including “a passing of light from the Jamat in the US, to those in parts of the world where they are unable to celebrate.”

 

The anticipation heightened and the mood grew somber, as the Jamat prepared for Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Homage Ceremony, as they virtually joined past and present leaders of the Jamat from across the world, who made their way to the Imam's residence to mark the commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee and offer their allegiance and gratitude to him for 60 glorious years of spiritual leadership. 

 

Celebrations continued with hours of singing and dancing, accompanied by live orchestras from Atlanta and Memphis. Jamati members who had been practicing the Diamond Jubilee communal dance at their own Jamatkhanas came together, providing yet another example of diversity and unity.

 

This commemoration will set the tone for many celebrations and programs during the Jubilee year. "The Imam’s address reflected his desire for the Diamond Jubilee to achieve some key goals that will have ramifications for generations to come,” said Dr. Mansoor Saleh, when asked about the event. After a day of reflection, prayers, and festivities, the Southeast Jamat inspired to work towards achieving the Diamond Jubilee goals of poverty alleviation, increasing early childhood education, and strengthening of the Imamat institutions – goals set forth by Mawlana Hazar Imam that will impact the lives of millions around the world.