Ismailis celebrate Imamat Day today

GILGIT/CHITRAL, July 10: The Ismaili community in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral are observing the 55th Imamat Day on Wednesday. Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims, ascended the Imamat on July 11, 1957, upon the death of his grandfather and the 48th Imam Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III. As usual, this year too elaborated arrangements have been made to celebrate the event in a befitting manner. Various programmes have been chalked out to give the event a special colour. In Gilgit-Baltistan, vintage points and  mountains have been illuminated on the occasion. Special religious gatherings would be held in all the Jamat Khanas in both Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. In Garam Chashma, Upper Chitral, Hunza and adjacent areas where the community is settled, colorful events would also take place. Besides, musical programmes and sports festivals will also mark the day. The government of Gilgit-Baltistan has announced a local holiday in connection with the day. The chief minister, Mehdi Shah, has directed the Water and Power Department to make sure that there is no power loadshedding, so that the community could enjoy the celebrations without any hardship. Strict security measures have been adopted by the police and administration to avoid any untoward incident. This year, the tenure of the current Mukhis and Kamadias of Jamat Khanas will end and the names of the new officials will be announced on July 11, who will resume their duties on July 12.]]>