Admin wrote: Thu Jun 26, 2025 7:59 pm
Testimony
Ya Ali Madad,
I wish to share with you an experience that was both deeply humbling and spiritually uplifting — a journey of longing, patience, and a miracle that unfolded before our very eyes.
On the 24th June , the three of us stood outside the Polana Serena Hotel in Maputo from 8am to 8pm, unaware of the itinerary but full of hope. The kind taxi drivers even brought us chairs so we could sit in the cool breeze and wait. At one point, the security personnel came out and informed everyone gathered that Shah Rahim would not be coming out today, and many people began to leave. But we stayed.
The security team felt genuinely sorry for us. They advised us to go freshen up, attend Jamatkhana, enjoy the dandia raas, and the biryani. We simply said, “Yes, we shall go, but we will wait for Him first.” The police standing outside mentioned that the President of Portugal was expected around 6pm. So, we waited with the quiet hope that Shah Rahim might come out to receive him.
Sadly, He did not come out that day.
I must mention here that our confirmed booking at Polana Serena was cancelled upon arrival and we were told that the hotel was under government control during this time, and only those vetted by the government could stay. We were not refunded, for a booking that was already paid for and cancelled on arrival. That Serena would leave us in a lurch like this was incredulous. We were left confused because we saw many others in the lobby, including people attending events like the ABSA Bank function. Were all of them vetted too?
Furthermore, we were utterly exhausted after our overnight journey. Even a simple request to have coffee or a glass of water was declined by the General Manager, Mr Nelson Rodrgrues ( proofs of conversation recordings available ) That level of disregard and inhospitality, especially during such a spiritual time for us, left us deeply hurt. It truly felt as though someone didn’t want us to be there.
Still, we remained outside the gate of Polana Serena the entire day. Other murids had given up and left. One tall security guard came up to us at the end of the day and said, almost tauntingly:
“Very sorry, very bad luck for you three.”
But we calmly replied:
“Don’t be sorry. We are just happy to wait for Him. Whether He gives us a glimpse or not that is His will. We don’t mind hunger or thirst, we are here only for His Deedar.”
Touched by our words, the volunteers brought us bottles of water. For that, we are deeply thankful.
Now here comes the turning point — the miracle.
Around 7pm, two men approached us. They spoke perfect English and asked who we were waiting for. We told them, “We want to see the Aga Khan, and maybe since the President of Portugal is coming, we might see both.” They nodded and told us they were organizing a major event at the Machava Stadium the next day. We said, “That sounds amazing! We wish we could come see it.”
To our surprise, the man said,
“Everyone is welcome. Please come.”
He asked where we were from. We said Kenya, and that this was our first visit to Mozambique in 20 years. He smiled warmly and said, “You are most welcome. In fact, please take these.”
Then he handed us three VIP Guest Passes for the next day’s stadium event. He said:
“Wear these passes and come tomorrow. You’ll really enjoy the ceremony.”
At that time the true significance of this happening did not really strike us . We thanked him and promised to try to attend.
As we walked back to our hotel, a large crowd was heading toward us on the pavement in the dark . As the entourage approached us, we moved aside, but one person detached himself from the group and rushed towards us . To our surprise, it was the President of Portugal himself: Marcello Ribero de Sousa !
He kissed me on both cheeks , heartily shook my brother’s hand and said that the Aga Kan was really very happy and wished us great joy ! After which he joined his re-joined his entourage down the road . His limousine arrived and whisked him away … we were stunned to say the least ! The President of Portugal walking outside the hotel in the dark ? We really didn’t know what to make of it….
The next day, we decided to go the Machava Stadium with the passes we were given . These cards were potent and landed us in the VIP box in the row above the one in which Shah Rahim was Himself seated . We had a direct view of Him for over five full hours, we were able to see Shah Rahim from a close, side-viewing position. It was unbelievable! ( video of Him at the stadium, taken by us , currently circulating )
As soon as the event ended, we rushed back to Polana Serena and Shah Rahim came out again, with His window down, smiling and waving.
He returned once more at 6.20 pm smiles and waves in full evidence . Later in the evening at around 8.20pm smiling and waving at the Jamat yet again!
We were on top of the world.! Shukhran Allahamdullilah ….A million Shukhranas to our Beloved Mowla
This testimony is by Tazmin, Farez and Zafeera who travelled from Nairobi.
My response and request to Leaders
Dear All, Leaders & Jamat including Noorani Family
With Deepest Gratitude and Mubarak
First and foremost, I wish to express my heartfelt thank you to Tazmin, Farez, and Zafeera for sharing your courageous, heart-rendering, and deeply moving testimony.
Your journey from Nairobi to Mozambique — undertaken in pure devotion, without expectation or entitlement — is a true and living demonstration of faith, love, and spiritual allegiance to our Imam-of-the-Time.
Mubaraki to you for the Zahiri Deedar that was bestowed upon you. What you received was a divine gift — beyond protocol, beyond privilege — and a powerful reminder of the mercy and grace that our faith affirms in even seeing the face of Imam (see below attached )
Your words brought tears of sadness and love to my eyes, and I know they echo the hearts of many murids across the world who longed, prayed, and hoped for just one glimpse of Mawla.
A Community-Led Tradition Betrayed
In response to your testimony, I now write not only to you, but to the entire Jamat — and particularly to our leadership:
• The President of the Aga Khan Council for Mozambique & members
• Mr. Nazim Ahmad, AKDN representative in Mozambique & Portugal
• And the Noorani family, whose leadership and support as Murids we also look to
What you endured must be heard by all the Jamat and be Serena group too
You came with open hearts, only to be met with closed doors. Despite your confirmed hotel booking at the Polana Serena — cancelled upon arrival without refund — you waited outside in the heat and wind, without food or drink, for hours. You were denied even a glass of water, denied the basic dignity of being acknowledged — while others moved comfortably within, hosted with apparent ease.
Where is the compassion? Where is the leadership? Where was the jamaati brotherhood we proclaim so loudly?
I don’t believesPeople of Mozambique are like this?
No one from our Jamats institutional leadership — neither Council nor AKDN — came out to greet you, welcome you support you, or even offer words of welcome.
It was not a stranger or a community leader, but an unknown third party who finally showed you kindness and gifted you the VIP passes that became your means and blessings of Deedar.
This is a betrayal of everything we say we stand for in our Bayah Farmans — pluralism, hospitality, humility, service to our family and guests
A Culture of Contradiction
We are told again and again that by our leaders that they love the Imam, love the Jamat, love to serve.
And yet — when true moments of service arise, when compassion is needed, when murids stand in humility — they are ignored. -Leaders stand in arrogance
This is not love. This is not service. This is not what our Imam has taught us in Farmans. Another example of who they truly are
The same leaders who for decades sit in positions of responsibility proclaiming pluralism fail to practice it when it counts most . This is not just a contradiction — it is a crisis it is pervasive as Hazar Imam has said and warned
Let me be clear: Shame is the only fitting response. And that shame should be felt deeply by:
• Mr. Nazim Ahmad
• The President of the Council for Mozambique & members of Council
• And by every leader & Jamat who turned a blind eye while murids - guests from afar - were denied basic dignity outside their doors.
Accountability Must Follow
I am copying this message to the Serena Hotels Group, including Polana demanding a full refund and a formal apology. The Board of Serena includes Prince Amyn Aga Khan, and I trust that he and others will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves. Is this how paid guests of Serena are treated today ?
All leaders & Jamat must stand behind this request. To do anything less would be to further betray our community Farmans constitution & values.
I also call on those in the Noorani family and senior leaders to ensure this testimony & letter reaches Hazar Imam — so that He may know, first-hand, how murids were treated in His name by those who claim to serve Him and who are close to him physically-They cannot be spiritually when they do not respect Farmans or Jamat
Standing Taller Than Power
To you, Tazmin, Farez, and Zafeera — I say: you stood taller than any leader on the day day.
You upheld the honour of the murid.
You demonstrated what it means to be part of a spiritual family - One Jamat
You did not seek status. You did not demand access.
You embodied love — and Imam responded brcause the results are in his hands to our sincere efforts
Your Deedar came not through connections or positions, but through Imam’s Divine grace — and that should be a lesson to us all.
May your testimony serve not only as a wake-up call for our leaders but as a source of light and encouragement for our entire Jamat.
With deep sorrow for what you endured, And with immense gratitude for your shining example
https://x.com/chaturmahebub/status/1938 ... hqfO552USg
Ya Ali Madad,
M Chatur
Copy Serena Polana GM and Group Board including Prince Amyn
Watch this video clip of Hazar Imam seated with global leaders on this momentous Golden Jubilee day:
