2025 Ismaili Constitution 11 Feb 2025

[mahebubchatur]

My beloved spiritual children,
Today I ordained a document that reaffirms and updates the constitution of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, and which serves as the framework for the jamat’s organisation and governance.

This constitution of 11th February, 2025 will now apply for the jamat worldwide.

The updates reflect, amongst other things, the recognion of the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon, and the change in terminology which makes reference to persons and positions gender‐ neutral.

I will continue with the practice of adjusting the Constitution over me to take account of evolving jamats needs. Circumstances may require new or different and the responsibility of the Imam is to enable the institutions to be responsive to the needs of the Jamat and to anticipate the future.

I intend to provide continuity and stability in our institutions and will introduce changes in a measured way with the goal of constantly improving our efficiency and effectiveness . Hazar Imam 11 Feb 2025

"I AM MOST HAPPY TO INFORM MY JAMAT THAT I HAVE DIRECTED THAT THE UPDATED CONSTITUTION WHICH ENCOMPASSES THE INSTRUMENT I SIGNED ON THE OCCASION OF MY TAKHT-NISHINI BE MADE AVAILABLE TO MY JAMAT" HAZAR IMAM - AGA KHAN V 18 MARCH 2025.

[mahebubchatur]

The text of the first page of the amended constitution signed and ordained on 11 Feb 2025

Bismi-Lahi R Raheman R Rahim

Whereas

A. According to the last will and testament of Mawlana Shah Karim Al Husseini the forty ninth Imam of Ismaili Muslims as unsealed and proclaimed on 5th February two thousand and twenty five being the sixth day of Shaban one thousand four hundred and forty six (Hijri) At Lisbon Mawlana Hazar imam Prince Shah Rahim Al Husseini was duly declared in accordance with the historical tradition of Nass as the fiftieth Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims in direct lineal descent of Holy Prophet Mohammed (S A S) through Hazrat Mawlana Ali (A S) and Hazrat Bibi Fatima (A S)

B. The constitution of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims ordained by Mawlana Shah Karim dated 13 December 1986 and amended on 11 July 1998 recites that Mawlana Hazar Imam enjoys full authority of governance in respect of all religious and Jamati matters of Ismaili Muslims

C. The constitution states that Mawlana Hazar Imam has the sole authority to amend and such constitution or any provision thereof

D. It is the desire and hidayat of Mawlana Hazar Imam that the Ismaili Constitution be amended to incorporate changes since 11 July 1998

Now Thereafter

By this constitutional instrument and in accordance with the inherent right and absolute and unfettered power and authority vested in me as Hazar Imam and credited in the constitution of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, I Shah Karim Al Husseini holder of the office of the Ismaili Imamat am pleased to ordained and do hereby ordain that the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims wherever they may shall at all time be bound and governed by the constitution hereinafter appearing as amended and this constitution shall remain fully effective

Ordained under the sign manual seal of Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Rahim Al Husseini His Highness Prince Aga Khan fiftieth Imam of Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims

At the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon Portugal

This 11th Day of February two thousand and twenty five being

The 12th day of Shaban one thousand and forty six (Hijri), in the first day of his Imamat

Signed
Aga Khan


Letter and request to All Leaders - LIF Councils DJI

I extend my sincere gratitude to the Communication Team of the Ismaili Imamat for sharing the video of the formal signing of the amended constitution on 11th February 2025, as well as the signed first page by Hazar Imam, His Highness Aga Khan V. (see copy of text )

However, neither the first page, nor the full amended constitution referred to in this first page of the constitutional instrument, has still been shared with all the Jamat thus far (except for the same group of Leaders in de facto control for decades)

The amendments, effective from 11th February 2025, are significant as they incorporate *all* changes made since 11th July 1998. A full copy of that constitution has still not been provided. Every member of the Jamat must have a copy and read it with Farmans because a later Farman supersedes an earlier Farman and the constitution is a Farman too.

These include all constitutional instruments and changes, such as the establishment of the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat and the registered entities in Portugal.

To understand and adhere to the constitution or to enable & ensure accountability, every Ismaili Muslim need to have access to the full constitution and all the accompanying Farmans. This is in accordance with a part of the 1998 constitution available to the Jamat online

Regrettably, these have still not been provided despite repeated requests. This access should include both the amended constitution on 11Feb /025, and previous versions to ensure historical continuum and context.

I respectfully urge that the full constitution, & Farmans along with all the amendments and instruments, be made urgently accessible and online - as Imam asked us to make use of technology as part of best practice

Given that the document was formally signed and approved by Hazar Imam on 11th February 2025, it is evident that the document was ready at the time and could have been uploaded within hours and a link given.

Not providing full access undermines the community's ability to abide by His Highness's Farmans & guidance. Furthermore, those responsible for withholding these documents are acting in contravention of Farmans, disrespecting Hazar Imam, and violating their own oaths of office and pledges, reaffirmed as recently as 11th July 2025 (link to pledges below)

The constitution governs the Jamat ( all religious and Jamati Matters) AND also the numerous and substantial global entities affiliated with the Ismaili community. Making these foundational documents accessible is paramount and aligns with the directives in Farmans.

I respectfully recommend that those in positions of control who have failed and effectively are refusing to provide these documents either make them available promptly or step aside to allow for a more transparent and responsible appointments which are according to Farmans and following them

Pledges on 11 Feb 2025 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6p7am204 ... 4k000&dl=0

LIF - Announcement https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ixz35124 ... 3vy7k&dl=0

[mahebubchatur]

On Tue, 10 Jun 2025 at 19:15, Mahebub Chatur <mahebubchatur@gmail.com> wrote a further reminder and request


Dear All Leaders including the Noorani Family

I refer to the many reminders and requests made by the Jamat over the years for the full and now the amended Ismaili Constitution to be provided to me and all the Jamat

The most recent reminder was given directly by Mawlana Hazar Imam to the Leaders entrusted on 18 March 2025.

Despite this, the Constitution has still not been made available in full to the entire Jamat-community, nor has any timeline for its release been communicated.

This continued silence is not only deeply concerning, but also contrary to the Bay‘ah sworn under oath by the Leaders—most recently reaffirmed by them on 11 February 2035—to uphold and serve the Imam’s guidance and the Constitution faithfully.

As clearly affirmed in numerous Farmans, the Constitution itself is a divinely ordained Farman , and therefore withholding it directly undermines both the spirit and letter of our Imam’s Farmans and the Bayah of those withholding it from the Jamat

In further support of earlier Farmans , I am attaching a short clip in Urdu from a Waez (religious address) delivered by Alwaez Kamaluddin, a globally respected Ismaili missionary. In this clip, he also, clearly states:

• The Ismaili Constitution is a public document, ordained by Mawlana Hazar Imam, and must be made available to all members of the Jamat. Every Ismaili must read share understand it and share it

• He reaffirms the spiritual truth that the Light (Noor) of Ali-Allah has come with the Imam, carrying a Divine mandate from the will of Allah —a central foundation of Ismaili faith

Alwaez Kamaluddin is a distinguished religious educator authorised by ITREB Pakistan, & globally recognized for his decades of service across many countries.

He has delivered Waezes both in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam during Deedar ceremonies and in preparation for such congregations. He and his wife—also a trained Waez—were among those who taught the young Shah Karim and his brothers in Kenya, and had access to Farmans and direct guidance from the Imam during that time. His words and insights from Farmans therefore carry deep credibility

The attached audio clip (with the full Waez available for those interested) is further evidence of the Imam’s Farmans and of the Noor - divinely ordained authority that guides our community.

It reaffirms that the Constitution and Farmans are not private or restricted, but are meant to be known, understood, and upheld by the entire Jamat.

In this context, I respectfully & firmly remind & renew the request to our Leaders to:

• Provide the full Constitution including that ammended on 11 Feb 2025, without any more delay;

• Make all Farmans available, in accordance with the Imam’s guidance & as the constitution is to be read with Farmans ;

• Respond to pending community requests transparently and in the spirit of Farmans Bayah and service to Imam & Jamat

This is not only a constitutional and religious responsibility, but also a matter of moral & legal integrity and accountability under Farmans and our Bayah ( link http://ismaili.net/timeline/2025/bayah.pdf

With best wishes and Ya Ali Madad,

Link to Audio clip

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxtI73GE4J5r ... UCN1lL89Jd

M Chatur

[mahebubchatur]

Subject: Request for Immediate Global Access to the Farman of 12–13 July 2025 — As Directed by Mawlana Hazar Imam

Dear all, including beloved members of the Noorani family,

Ya Ali Madad.

I write with utmost love, unity, and concern — as one murid among many — to respectfully to highlight the following and requests

1. Didar Blessed by Mawlana Hazar Imam

On 12 and 13 July 2025, Mawlana Hazar Imam graciously granted the Jamat in France a Didar Mubarak, presiding personally over a sacred religious gathering.

2. Imam’s Directives on the Farman

Towards the conclusion of the Farman on 12 July, Hazar Imam gave a clear, explicit instruction:

“I would like you to know that I instructed that the official text of this Farman to be released as soon as possible to the Jamat around the world.”

— Mawlana Hazar Imam, 12 July 2025, Paris

Imam says release to the Jamat around the world

This instruction is not limited to one region or format. In fact, in the earlier Farman of 8 March 2025, also delivered in France, Mawlana Hazar Imam reemphasised the need to:

• Share his Farmans and the full Ismaili Constitution globally and promptly

• Use technology, internet, and AI to ensure timely and universal access

• Be inclusive, transparent, and act as one global family, helping one another

3. Current Situation: Withholding of the Farman

Despite these Farmans, leaders in various jurisdictions — across the 21 Jamati councils globally — have chosen to restrict access to the 12–13 July Farmans by:

• Reading them only during Jamatkhana ceremonies on selected days in July and August

• Not providing written or digital copies to murids

• Preventing murids from accessing or preserving the Farmans individually or within families

• Continuing to withhold the Ismaili Constitution, which is itself a Farman, despite repeated guidance by the Imam to share it

This Leaders pattern not only contradicts the Imam’s guidance but creates confusion and deep sorrow among many sincere murids.

4. The Farman Has Already Been Shared by the Jamat

It is now evident that the entire Farman from 12 July — as read recently in Jamatkhanas — has been shared, privately but widely, by members of the Jamat. This includes:

• Murids who were not able to attend that day or do not have regular access to Jamatkhanas

• Those in distant or smaller regions who were spiritually present

• Individuals acting out of love and obedience to the Imam, fulfilling his directive by sharing with others as brothers and sisters

I extend my deep gratitude to those murids and leaders who are helping fulfil the Imam’s wishes, as instructed by sharing

May they be blessed for doing what Hazar Imam has asked of all of us.

5. A Renewed, Humble Appeal

I now renew the call for our leadership to:

• Release the official full text of the 12–13 July 2025 Farmans in full, to every murid worldwide with any annotations which are also part of the Farman

• Share them digitally, as cost-effectively and swiftly as possible, with climate-conscious practices, as Mawla reminded us

• Release the Ismaili Constitution, as mandated by the Imam

• Uphold our responsibilities as one global Jamat, grounded in Farmans and the Imam’s ethics

Hazar Imam has made it abundantly clear: his guidance is for every murid, without exception, without delay.

No Jamati leader has the legal or moral discretion to override, postpone, or withhold that Farman.

Let us not fail in the duty entrusted to us — to follow the Imam faithfully and to serve one another sincerely.

With love, prayer, and humility,

Ya Ali Madad,

See 2 Farmans below & Bayah renewed on 12-13,July too

Farman 12 July 2025 • Paris France

I would like you to know that I instructed that the official text of this Farman to be released as soon as possible to the Jamat around the world
My beloved spiritual children once again I give to each and everyone of you individually to your families wherever they are and to my Jamat worlhwids my best, my most affectionate blessings I pray for peace or your happiness for Unity in your familes and across the Jumat for success on all your endeavours for the fulfilment of your god wishes and for mushkil Assan and that you stay firm on Siratul Mustaqeem Khanavadan Khanavadan
Khanavadan


"I AM MOST HAPPY TO INFORM MY JAMAT THAT I HAVE DIRECTED THAT THE UPDATED CONSTITUTION WHICH ENCOMPASSES THE INSTRUMENT I SIGNED ON THE OCCASION OF MY TAKHT-NISHINI BE MADE AVAILABLE TO MY JAMAT" HAZAR IMAM
AGA KHAN V 18 MARCH 2025.

Visual charts

https://x.com/chaturmahebub/status/1946 ... hqfO552USg

https://x.com/chaturmahebub/status/1946 ... hqfO552USg

Mahebub Chatur

[mahebubchatur]

The Constitutional Role of AKDN


The Constitutional Purpose of AKDN

On 11 July 2007, Mawlana Hazar Imam made it unequivocally clear that the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a constitutional entity of the Ismaili community, established to serve the Jamat first—both rural and urban—immediately or in the readily foreseeable future.

Every AKDN activity must contribute not only to broader national and civil society goals but also directly to the quality of life of Ismailis where they live. This foundational role is not optional or external—it is enshrined in the Constitution a Farman - and reaffirmed in Imam’s Farmans.

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Disconnect Between Farmans and Current Practice by Leaders

Today, we observe that AKDN is being positioned and operated separately from Jamati institutions, in contradiction to the Imam’s guidance. Local Jamats are not consistently empowered. Pluralism is not actualised, and services are fragmented rather than unified. Worse, feedback and communication from murids are being ignored. In some cases, institutional leaders have actively discouraged and marginalise murids who reach out—even telling individuals like myself not to write to them .

This represents a complete reversal of the inclusive, ethical, and decentralised approach Hazar Imam repeatedly called for in Farmans

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Imam’s Farmans for Local Empowerment & One Jamat

During the Golden Jubilee, Mawlana Hazar Imam urged the consolidation of Jamati services under a “One Jamat” model—ensuring that murids would not need to navigate a maze of boards to access support. Yet this Farman has not been implemented in practice. Instead, murids—especially in local and rural areas—face a disconnected and bureaucratic system that undermines dignity, trust, unity inclusion and pluralism from Leaders

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Request to Leaders for Clarification and Action

If anything I have stated above is incorrect, I welcome a clear and specific response. I respectfully request:
1. A formal reply to this and earlier requests by all which have been ignored to date.
2. An explanation for the clear separation of AKDN from the Jamati framework despite its constitutional mandate in Farmans
3. That the Ismaili Constitution and Farmans, be digitally provided to the global Jamat in full. It is now urgent to ensure that no murid is excluded from access to the Imam’s guidance—Hazar Imam would give but never exclude anyone from what he has given to and so belongs to the Jamat.

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References

Verbatim Farman of Mawlana Hazar Imam, on 11 July 2007 - valid today (attached as image) - Leaders have the full video and verbatim Farmans - witheld

Visual summary chart of Farman by Hazar Imam of AKDN’s constitutional set up & role

Link

https://x.com/chaturmahebub/status/1949 ... hqfO552USg

[mahebubchatur]

The Title of Wazir (Vazir) in Fatimid History, India, and Modern Ismaili Context

The titles of Wazir and Diwan in Ismaili tradition — from the Fatimid period to today — are sacred designations meant to reflect service, loyalty, and accountability to the Imam-of-the-Time and the Jamat under the constitution

These titles are not ceremonial. They are conferred by Imam with Ismaili constitutional responsibility and under Bayaa to uphold Farmans, serve the Jamat transparently, and serve the mandate of the institutions of the Jamat for the collective good.

Yet today, there is no published record of who holds these titles, past or present, and no open verification of their appointments.

When those entrusted with such high positions filter Farmans - guidance, withhold the Constitution, and remain unaccountable to the very Jamat they have committed to serve, they mirror the Wazirs of the later Fatimid period — whose power struggles and defiance of the Imam contributed directly to the collapse of the Fatimid empire in Egypt.

Are we now witnessing a similar erosion of trust and authority of Farmans and Imam

A deeper reflection and change is urgently needed.

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1. Origins and Meaning

The title “Wazir” (Arabic: وزير) historically refers to a “minister,” “advisor,” or “burden-bearer” — someone appointed to assist the ruler in governance. In Islamic and Persianate traditions, the Wazir often rose to become chief administrator, akin to a prime minister.

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2. Wazirs in the Fatimid Caliphate (909–1171 CE)

In the early centuries of the Fatimid Ismaili Imamate, Wazirs were:
• Appointed by the Imam-Caliph,
• Expected to serve loyally, execute policies, and assist with civil and military affairs,
• Bound by both spiritual and administrative authority of the Imam.

Notable Wazirs (Early Period):

Wazir Caliph Served Notes
Ibn Killis (d. 991)

Imam-Caliph al-Aziz Billah Converted from Judaism; famed for his scholarship and loyalty; helped systematize Fatimid administration

Ya’qub ibn Kalas Imam-Caliph al-Mu’izz Known for his administrative brilliance and reforms

al-Fadl ibn Salih Multiple A key Wazir during the early expansion period

These men strengthened the empire upheld the direct authority of the Imam-Caliphs.

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The Turn to Military Wazirs and the Decline

From the mid-11th century onward, a major shift occurred:
• Wazirs increasingly came from military backgrounds, particularly Turkish or Berber commanders.
• They began centralizing power, sidelining the Imam-Caliphs, and even dictating succession.
• The Imam-Caliphs were often young, imprisoned, or ceremonial figures.

Key Example: Badr al-Jamali (Wazir 1074–1094)

Wazir and “Amir al-Juyush” (Commander of Armies)
Context Appointed by Imam-Caliph al-Mustansir during crisis
Actions Took full control of the state, restored order militarily, but established military dictatorship

Legacy His son, al-Afdal Shahanshah, succeeded him — marking the beginning of hereditary military vizierates.

Wazirs Who Contributed to the Collapse of the Fatimid State

Wazir Period Role in Decline

al-Afdal Shahanshah 1094–1121 Imposed Imam al-Musta‘li; persecuted Nizaris; further centralized power

al-Ma’mun al-Bata’ihi 1121–1125 Continued to marginalize the Imam

Ridwan ibn Walakhshi 1137–1139 Rebelled, tried to make Wazir an independent sultan

Shawar 1162–1169 Allied with both Crusaders and Saladin; his betrayal weakened the Fatimids fatally

Shirkuh / Saladin 1169 Saladin appointed as Wazir;

Sunni Ayyubid — this marked the end of the Fatimid Imamate in 1171

By the final decades, the Wazirs ran the state, not the Imam-Caliphs. Many refused to follow Imam’s authority, manipulated religious policy, and used the Fatimid treasury and institutions for personal power.

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Lessons from Fatimid History
1. When intermediaries usurp power, the spiritual guidance of the Imam is lost or distorted.
2. Withholding information, filtering Farmans, and centralizing authority in unelected hands undermines the Imamat’s connection with the Jamat.
3. Titles must be earned through service, not wielded as power over others — a Wazir must be accountable to the Imam and transparent with the Jamat they serve

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3. Wazirs in Indian and South Asian Muslim Tradition

In India, under Mughal and regional Muslim sultanates, “Wazir” referred to:
• The chief minister of the state,
• Often in charge of finance, law, and correspondence,
• Sometimes rivaled the emperor in power — much like the later Fatimid Wazirs.

The term “Diwan” was also used similarly (for finance or chief administrative offices).

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4. Modern Ismaili Context (20th–21st Century)

In the modern Ismaili jamats:
• Vazir (Wazir) is a title granted by the Imam to those who are serving the Jamat under Farmans and constitution. These titles are in the constitution (see excerpts in appendix below)
• Typically conferred upon individuals with continuing long, distinguished service to the Jamat in Imamat constitutional institutions,


Vazirs have committed and serve humbly, with accountability, and uphold the Imam’s Farmans which include guidance, & Constitution.

Present-day Concerns

However:
• Many current Vazirs are undeclared, unverified, or not accountable to the Jamat.
• Some act as gatekeepers of information, contributing to confusion, opacity, and a disconnect from the Imam’s true guidance.

In this sense, history appears to repeat itself — echoing the later Fatimid period where:
• Wazirs usurped power,
• Withheld access to the Imam,
• Contributed to the decline of the Ismaili Daulah.

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Summary Table

Era Role of Wazir Impact

Early Fatimid Loyal administrator under Imam-Caliph Stability and expansion

Late Fatimid Military strongman, de facto ruler Sidelined Imams, led to collapse

Mughal India Prime minister, high civil servant Varying power depending on emperor

Modern Ismaili Serving the Jamat under Farmans & constitution which is for and for benefit of Jamat
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Final Reflection

The title of Wazir is not ornamental. Whether in history or today, it:
• Must be conferred by the Imam,
• Comes with a duty of absolute loyalty and transparency,
• And should never substitute or filter the Imam’s Farmans and constitutional guidance.

When Wazirs appointments are not publish with the Farman and their own positions & appointments, are not disclosed nor their mandates, nor uphold the Farmans and Constitution, not share them they have become functionaries of control, not of service to the Jamat and Imam — much like the Wazirs who contributed to the fall of the Fatimid Empire

Appendix

Ismaili Constitution 1986

Re Titles

Article Seventeen TITLES OF HONOUR AND DIGNITIES

17.1 Mawlana Hazar Imam shall have the sole and exclusive right to create and confer Titles of Honour, dignities and precedence and to grant awards and commemorative medals.


17.2 The Titles of Honour and the order of precedence thereof are set out in the Eleventh Schedule.

Eleventh Schedule TITLES OF HONOUR
The Titles of Honour are set out below, in order of precedence:
Men Title holders and Women Titleholders
the Courtesy Titles of their Wives in their own right
Men Women

Diwan Diwanbanoo Diwan Saheba
Vazir Vazirbanoo Vazir Saheba
Aitmadi Aitmadibanoo Aitmadi Saheba
Rai Raibanoo Rai Saheba
Alijah Alijahbanoo Alijah Saheba
Huzur Mukhi Huzur Mukhiani Huzur Mukhiani

Titles History
https://www.ismaili.net/Source/0031b.html

Diwan

https://x.com/chaturmahebub/status/1919 ... hqfO552USg