Ismaili constitutions 1905

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Ismaili Constitution In 1905

There were Ismaili states and constitutions during Fatimid times and Hazrat Ali.

In 1905 the Imam of the time ordained the first modern era Ismaili constitution for East Africa followed by National constitutions in many other countries.

In 1986 these were replaced by the present global Ismaili Constitution in 1986- amended in 1998 (link 1998 ismaili Constitution

“In 1905, the 48th Ismaili Imam, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III, issued a written set of ‘Rules and Regulations’ for the Ismailis of East Africa which effectively served as their communal constitution.  This constitution re-affirmed the centrality of the Imam’s authority over the affairs of his community and also articulated the distinctive religious identity of the Ismailis. This document was revised and published several times until 1954, and was made available to Ismailis and non-Ismailis alike. Similar rules were given to the Ismaili community in British India “ Simerg

In 1905 Mawlana Sultan Mohammed Shah “ordained the first Ismā'īlī Constitution for the social governance of the community in East Africa. The new administration for the Community's affairs was organised into a hierarchy of councils at the local, national, and regional levels. The constitution also set out rules in such matters as marriage, divorce and inheritance, guidelines for mutual cooperation and support among Ismā'īlīs, and their interface with other communities. Similar constitutions were promulgated in India, and all were periodically revised to address emerging needs and circumstances in diverse settings.”
(Daftary, Farhad (1998). A Short History of the Ismailis. Edinburgh, UK: Edinburgh University Press. pp. 199–206)

The first Ismaili Constitution was issued in Zanzibar on September 9, 1905, but was not published in printed form until 1922 when it appeared in English and Gujerati (more recently it was also translated into German). Although it has since been revised several times, the basic laws remain the same as those first laid down by Aga Khan III. Designed for a society which was still largely primitive, the original 1905 draft was a splendid testimonial to his scholarly and modern mind. He issued a Holy Firman ordering Ismailis to abide by it and instructed local leaders to send him regular reports about every aspect of the community's life.

The practice is still followed and his young successor is often snowed under with communications from Ismailis all over the world.
http://ismaili.net/heritage/files/The%2 ... _Part1.pdf

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On March 21, 1961, the Ismailia Federal Council for Pakistan came into existence. Another Constitution was put into effect for the Ismailis of Pakistan on July 11, 1962.. On the basis of the Constitution of 1962 for Pakistan, each Supreme Council was responsible for supervising the activities of some of the 23 Divisional. District and Local Councils throughout the country.

In India, the Federal Council, located at Bombay directed the affairs of four Regional Council for Maharashtra, Gujrat, southern India and eastern India. At the bottom of the hierarchy, there were 28 Local Councils in India, for south Bombay, north Bombay, Jamnagar, Kutchh, Surat, Hyderabad, and so forth.

On March 21, 1968, a third Constitution was promulgated in India.

During his visit to India, the Imam said on February 23, 1969 in Bombay that,

“Last year a new Constitution was introduced for my jamat of India. Many of you may not know that the earlier Constitution was dated 1946, that is for 22 years, our jamat implemented the same Constitution. It was my view, and it is my view, that circumstances have changed sufficiently so that a new Constitution should be introduced. If I have seen fit to introduce a new Constitution in 1968, this means that I may see fit to introduce a new Constitution in 1970, or 72, or 74. This means that no Constitution for our jamat is a firm, solid, immovable document. It is a document, which is created to assist the jamat to administer its affairs satisfactorily and in keeping with the times. Thus, I wish my spiritual children to understand that if through the implementation of this Constitution, it is found that certain matters could be better pharsed, could be amended, could be improved, the Constitution will be continuously amended. The Constitution of our jamat here in India, like in East Africa, like in Pakistan, is a living document and where it is not in keeping with the tradition of the jamat, or in keeping with what the times require, amendment will be introduced."

The Constitutions of East Africa, Pakistan and India were alike in spirit, but differed in several points according to the different circumstances prevalent in these countries. This was explained by the Present Imam upon his sanctioning The Constitution of the Councils and Jamats of Shi'a Imami Ismaili Muslims of Pakistan that, "Look to the spirit and not the letter of the Constitution."

http://ismaili.net/heritage/node/10433

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This is the cover page of September 1905 first Ismaili Constitution promulgated in Zanzibar.

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Haji Bibi Case - India. In this case which was in 1905, the court ruled in favour of the Imam and established that the Ismaili Imams funds, & donations are not personal and part of his estate which therefore his family cannot claim from him or his edtate under the law. Imam’s lineage was also considered. And the Ismaili Religious doctrines & ceremonies were articulated & explained.

Link to more viewtopic.php?p=50849#p50849

The first Ismaili Constitution demarked the following.

1. Imam as Imam e Zaman

2. Imam’s personal assets

3. The assets which Imam has which were for the benefit of the community and used for their benefit over which Imam had authority.

The present constitution was ordained in 1998 and since then there have been instruments ordained under the constitution including Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Portugal and the registered institution called “Imamat” in Portugal
http://www.ismaili.net/html/modules.php ... pic&t=9174

Prior to the Haji Bibi case was the Khoja case in 1866 and since the copyright lawsuit in 2010

In 2015 - Aga Khan Copyright lawsuit- Canada. The court ruled in favour of what Imam said on 15 October 2010. Farmans are for the community to have, read and share. Link to what Aga Khan Imam said
‪http://ismaili.net/source/legal-documen ... atur8.pdf‬


In 1866 Aga Khan Khoja Case - India - The court rules in favour of Imam. It was established that the Khoja community in India are Ismaili Muslims. The judge ruled Khoja's are a sect whose ancestors were Hindu in origin, converted to Ismaili faith and have since abided by the faith of Shia Imami Ismailis. Link http://ismaili.net/heritage/node/27983

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TODAY IN HISTORY - 1905, January 1 - Aga Khan III Stayed in Zanzibar 29 days while The First Constitution was prepared - 1905 - Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah, Aga Khan III visited Africa and stayed in Zanizibar for 29 days. Imam brought with him the owner of Sarswarti Press, Mr. Vithaldas N. Suratia to write the Farmans. Mr. Suratia later published Farman books. In the Farman book No. 15A, Mr. Suratia gives a detailed account of the Zanizibar visit. According to these details, Imam was in Zanzibar for 29 days when the first Constitution of the Jamat was prepared and ordained.

LINK: http://heritage.ismaili.net/node/22199

LINK TO OLD CONSTITUTIONS: https://library.ismaili.net/book-images ... nstitution

LINK TO MOST RECENT CONSTITUTION: viewtopic.php?t=8190

PHOTO: 1905-supreme-council-zanzibar

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