9th July 2021
My dear spiritual children,
On the occasion of Imamat Day, the 11th of July 2021, I send my warmest and most affectionate paternal maternal loving blessings to all my beloved spiritual children throughout the world.
I give my best loving blessings for the souls of all my ruhani spiritual children, and I pray that their souls may rest in eternal peace.
The success of a range of vaccines in affording significant protection against the Coronavirus is most encouraging, and my Jamat around the world should show no hesitancy in getting vaccinated as soon as that opportunity is made available by the health authorities. However, my spiritual children should also remain mindful that being fully vaccinated does not diminish the requirement for ongoing personal care and vigilance in the face of the unexpected threats that new variants of the virus will continue to pose.
It is a matter of happiness that the re-opening of Jamatkhanas in many parts of the world has become possible, but it is my wish that, in attending Jamatkhana - as indeed at all other times - my Jamat should act responsibly in complying with all health and safety measures as recommended by the health authorities and our institutions.
Two recent events of special happiness for me as Imam-of-the-Time are the granting of the Charter to the Aga Khan University by the Kenyan government, and the first convocation of the University of Central Asia, which was established through an Ismaili Imamat treaty with the governments of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. I hope that my Jamat will share in my happiness and that, together, we will continue to make good progress in developing new institutions and programmes for excellence in higher education and research.
My Jamat will be aware of the innovative work undertaken by the Aga Khan University in combating the Covid-19 pandemic. These efforts, alongside those of all other Imamat and Jamati institutions globally, are worthy of the highest admiration, and I convey my special loving blessings to all my spiritual children who, in the capacity of either healthcare professionals or volunteers, continue to spare no effort in providing treatment, care, and support to my Jamat.
On this happy occasion of Imamat Day, I send my best loving blessings to all the spiritual children who have submitted services and sent messages of congratulations.
I send my most affectionate loving blessings for your spiritual wellbeing, worldly success, good health, happiness, strength of faith, and unity in the Jamat. I also give my special loving blessings for mushkil-asan, and for my Jamat’s safety and security.
You are all constantly in my heart, in my thoughts and in my prayers.
Yours affectionately,
Aga Khan
