Mubarak to you and your family on the upcoming visit of our beloved Mawlana Hazar Imam.

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2 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim Ya Ali Madad Mubarak to you and your family on the upcoming visit of our beloved Mawlana Hazar Imam. The didar1 of Mawlana Hazar Imam is a very special event for Shia Ismaili Muslims. This is a great occasion of happiness and a wonderful opportunity for you to reflect with your family about the meaningful experience of a didar in the life of a murid. The Jamat prepares for didar in many different ways. A series of booklets has been developed by the Shia Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board for the United Kingdom to create a journey to the didar. Each booklet has been designed for children of a specific age: Early Years (0-3½ years old), Nursery (3½-5 years old) and Primary & Secondary (6+ years old). The activities in these booklets have been created to explore our relationship with the Imam of the Time and with our brothers and sisters. We suggest that you allocate time every day to engage with the activities and reflections in these booklets, and note down how these activities made you feel and helped you to prepare. Spending time together as a family during this joyous occasion is one way in which we can prepare ourselves for the visit of our beloved Mawlana Hazar Imam. The family environment can be a nurturing space in which children can develop a deep connection and commitment to their Imam, their faith and the Jamat. May this be a memorable time for you and your family! 1 Didar - physical and spiritual encounter between the Imam and his spiritual children. 1

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4 In the name of Allah, the Most Kind, the Most Merciful 3

5 In the name of Allah, we begin Talk to your child about the importance of starting everything in the name of Allah. Take a few moments to sing the song: Allah s got the whole world in His hands1 with your child and do some movement of the body and the hands to create some energy and a sense of fun. Allah s got the whole world in His hands He s got the whole world in His hands He s got the whole world in His hands He s got the whole world in His hands Allah s got the sun and the rain in His hands He s got the moon and the stars in His hands He s got the wind and the clouds in His hands He s got the whole world in His hands 4 To the tune of He s Got the Whole World in His Hands. Used under licence CC CambridgeBayWeather

6 Allah s got the mountains and the rivers in His hands He s got the oceans and the sea in His hands He s got all the animals in His hands He s got the whole world in His hands Allah s got everybody here in His hands He s got everybody there in His hands He s got everybody everywhere in His hands He s got the whole world in His hands Allah s got the little baby in His hands He s got my sisters and brothers in His hands He s got mum and dad in His hands He s got the whole world in His hands Allah s got the whole world in His hands He s got the whole world in His hands He s got the whole world in His hands He s got the whole world in His hands 5

7 A joyous announcement Make this story your own by helping your child to write their name in the blank spaces below. Read the story together. It is another Friday evening and prepares to go to Jamatkhana with the family. After the prayers, Mukhisaheb gets up and shares some exciting news with the Jamat. Mawlana Hazar Imam will be coming to give his didar to the Jamat. feels excited and looks around and sees the whole Jamat smiling. Elder members of the Jamat share with that it has been many years since the Imam has visited them. It is the beginning of a new adventure in s life 6 Adapted from The Didar of Mawlana Hazar Imam. Read the full story in the Ta lim Curriculum, Primary Three, Book Two, pages

8 Mubarak 1 to you and your family Speak with your child about the happy news that the Jamat has received. The Jamat is happy that the Imam is coming to visit us. Ask your child what things make them happy. We celebrate special occasions with our families. Take a family photo or make a drawing of your family to help you to remember this moment. 1 Mubarak, in Arabic, is a prayer: May the baraka (blessing) of Allah be on you. 7

9 The story of the little seed A long time ago, a man was carrying a bag of seeds to bring back to his village. While he was walking, one seed fell out of his bag. The seed felt the hot and dry land. I m scared she said. I need to be safe under the soil, she thought. Just then, a horse came and walked on the seed pushing her into the soil. While under the soil, the seed said, I need water to help me grow. Just then it started to rain. 8 The next day, early in the morning she felt cold. I need sunlight! she thought. Just then the sun started to shine. The seed noticed that she had grown a little green shoot, which helped her catch more sunlight and grow. As she sat under the warm sun she started to grow taller.

10 A few days later, a storm came through, and she was scared that she would be blown away by the wind. But, her strong roots helped her to stay in the ground. After many years of sunshine and rain, the little seed became a plant and then a blossoming tree. Over the years, she made friends with different kinds of trees and provided shelter for different animals. Today, when you visit the countryside you can see her. It s amazing, how big and strong she has become and now makes seeds of her own. 9

11 Growing happy and healthy After reading the story of the little seed, invite your child to think about all the things that Allah has provided for the seed to grow like water, soil, food, light, care, love, etc. Explain that Allah is the source of all life and growth. Ask your child what are the kinds of things that we need for us to grow like food, water, shelter, care, etc. With your child, plant a seed at home and watch how it grows. Use your imagination to draw a picture of what your plant will look like. 10

12 Being happy and healthy Mawlana Hazar Imam reminds us of all the things that we need to grow as happy and healthy human beings. He guides us to practice our faith by taking care of our bodies, our minds, our soul and others around us, through love, kindness and prayers. Talk to your child about the questions below and ask them to colour in the images. What is your favourite physical activity? What is your favourite story or book? How do you like to help others? What healthy foods do you eat? What is your favourite prayer? 11

13 Mawla Bapa 12 Explain to your child that sometimes we call Mawlana Hazar Imam our Mawla Bapa because he is our spiritual parent. As a parent, like you love your child, Mawla Bapa loves his murids. He takes care of us and teaches us how to live good lives. He prays for us and wants us to be happy.

14 My bay'ah Each murid has given their bay'ah to Mawlana Hazar Imam. He is our spiritual mother and father and we follow and obey him. With your child, think about how we can follow the Imam s guidance in our daily lives. This could be by always trying to do your best, by remembering the gifts that we have been given, by doing good deeds and through regular prayer. Explain to your child how we can use our hands for praying, helping and taking care of ourselves and others. Make a hand print using paint or trace one of your child s hands and, in the middle, write at least one promise that will help you both fulfill your commitment and bay'ah to the Imam. 13

15 My Mawla is Shah Karim Song: Shah Karim SHAH KARIM SHAH KARIM Who is our present Imam? Who is our 49 th Imam? SHAH KARIM SHAH KARIM Who is Aal-e-Nabi1? Who is Aulad-e-Ali2? Who is the Light of Ali? Who is the Might of Ali? SHAH KARIM SHAH KARIM Who is our spiritual parent? From whom do we get our guidance? SHAH KARIM SHAH KARIM Who is our present Imam? Who is our 49 th Imam? SHAH KARIM, HAZAR IMAM SHAH KARIM, HAZAR IMAM Family of the Prophet Muhammad 2 Progeny of Hazrat Ali

16 Mawlana Hazar Imam is our present Imam How much do we know about our present Imam? Help your child to trace over the words below to complete the following sentences: 1. Our Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim al Hussaini, is our spiritual father and mother. 2. Our Imam comes from the family of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny). 3. Mawlana Ali was our first Imam and Mawlana Shah Karim is our present Imam. 4. Our Imam is always there to helpand teachus to live a good life. 5. Hazar Imam helps all people and he has built many schools,hospitals and gardens. 6. Mawla Bapa loves us very much. He gives us farmans to teach us to do what is right. 15

17 Moments of happiness Our Imam reminds us to take moments in our day to remember our faith. The remembrance of Allah or our Imams can bring us inner strength, moments of peace and happiness. The intezar period can be a starting point for you to foster the habit of practicing dhikr1 with your child. It is our hope that this daily routine will bring you moments of happiness. For example, recite one of these: Ya Allah, Ya Muhammad, Ya Ali O Allah, O Muhammad, O Ali Allahuma salli ala Muhammadin wa ale Muhammad O Allah, bestow peace and blessing upon Muhammad and upon his progeny Shukran li-llah wa l hamdu li-llah All thanks are due to Allah, and all praise is due to Allah 16 1 Dhikr or Zikr in Arabic means remembrance. One way in which Muslims pray is by repeating the names of Allah, for example Ar-Rahman (The Compassionate) and Ar-Rahim (The Merciful).

18 I am Mawlana Hazar Imam reminds us that we can plant seeds of love, care, kindness and generosity all around us. Remind your child about the goodness they have within them and the power they have to be kind and generous with others. Recite the following positive affirmations with your child and have them repeat it after you: I am unique in the way that Allah made me I am beautiful inside and out I am loved I know that I am kind and gentle I know that I am helpful I care for others And all these things I can do May all I think, say and do help those around me 17

19 Saying thank you Shukrana (thankfulness) can contribute to your child s well-being, happiness and future success. As a way to nurture the spirit of gratitude, speak with your child about the things that they are thankful for. Try to make this a part of your daily routine. Shukran in Arabic means Thank You. We say Shukran lillah to thank Allah for all the gifts in our lives. Shukran li-llah, wa l hamdu li-llah. All thanks are due to Allah, and all praise is due to Allah. 18

20 Invite your child to learn how to say thank you in different languages. Arabic: Shukran English: Thank you Farsi: Moteshakeram French: Merci German: Danke Gujarati: Abhaar Hindi: Dhanyavaad Portuguese: Obrigado Swahili: Asante Sana Swedish: Tack Urdu: Shukriya or any others that you know. 19

21 A Didar Didar is a unique opportunity to be in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam. Share family memories and pictures of past didar experiences with your child. As a family, you may also enjoy watching a video from recent Diamond Jubilee visits. These can be found on the the.ismaili website. 20

22 My Beloved Imam Mawlana Hazar Imam wears a beautiful robe during a Darbar 1. Invite your child to decorate this robe as an expression of their love for Mawlana Hazar Imam. 1 Darbar is a Persian word referring to holding a court or a royal audience. The Imam, at his sole prerogative, holds a Darbar, in which he dons his ceremonial regalia, such as the robe. 21

23 Things that I will take with me Congratulations! The countdown has started! There are only a few days left before we will see Mawlana Hazar Imam. What are the things that we will need to take with us? Help your child to create a list of things they will need to take with them on the day. 22

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25 Didar - a special day Mubarak! You have been blessed with the didar of Mawlana Hazar Imam! On this occasion, please talk to your child about the happiness and blessings of receiving a didar and ask them to draw a picture in the space below. 24

26 Draw or stick a picture from the day of the didar here. 25

27 A letter for you We have just been graced with the didar of Mawlana Hazar Imam. Take a moment to reflect on your experience and write a letter to your child in the future. Use the following guiding questions to help you capture key aspects of the visit that you want to convey to your child. 1. What were you feeling while in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam? 2. What did the Imam say in his farman? What words did you particularly remember? 3. How could your child follow the Imam s guidance as they get older? 4. Also ask your child what the didar experience was for them. Try to use their responses to help you create a memory of this didar experience. 26

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29 Continuing to grow and learn As we continue on the journey of our lives, as a parent, remember that our Imam is always here to guide us. He is always in our hearts reminding us that our faith is one of happiness, peace, love and care. Explain to your child how the Imam has always been there, in all of the important moments in our lives, and that he will be with us, as we continue to grow. I was born on 28

30 Create a timeline with your child of the significant moments in their lives. This can include being born, starting to talk and to walk, the birth of a sibling, going to school, etc. Help your child to draw these events on the timeline. Diamond Jubilee

31 Ref lections Use these thought clouds to tell us what your favourite activities were and why. We d love to see your reflections. You can take a photo of your thought clouds and the photo to us at bai@iiuk.org 30

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33 32 MULAQAT MUBARAK

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