People of Faith by S Vellani - Institute of Ismaili Studies

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mahebubchatur
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Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:01 pm

People of Faith by S Vellani - Institute of Ismaili Studies

Post by mahebubchatur »

A New book ipublished by the Institute of Ismaili studies (IIS) London. 

“People of faith” - by Shams Vellani,

Book Launch - preview

The book was launched at the Aga Khan Centre London and online, on 6th Sept 2020 . The launch was sponsored and supported by IIS & ITREB (Ismaili Tariqah & religious education Board)

Mr Shams Vellani was interviewed by Wafi Momin (an IIS employee** whose position & promotion depends on S Vellani (& his inner executive including Mohammed Keshavjee who was present & and is an IIS Governor)

This book was stated to be about the “historical and contemporary profile of Ismailis”

Shams Vellani is 85 years old and is one of the top Ismaili Leaders for over 40 years employed & working at the Institute of Ismaili studies (IIS) . The same Leadership clique who are controlling, filed a lawsuit to prevent Ismailis from sharing their Imam’s  Guidance (Farmans). This was unsuccessful.

The book’s name  “people of faith “ was suggested by a member of the IIS staff he said. It is publish by the Institute of Ismaili studies. 

He added that Ismaili Muslims look at the Quran through the “lens” of their Imams. who interpret  and give the Talim (teachings) and Tawil (interpretations) of the Quran. These collectively called Farmans are a part or & an extension of the Quran which are for and to be given to all. They are divinely ordained and so belong to the people- believers.  

The reason for this book he said was to explain who is the Ismaili Imam and why he gives Guidance (Farmans). Not just the history. He felt people needed to know this and so he decided to publish. (Link to who is Imam and what are Farmans)

He added the original sources and reference were researched by his excellent editor (Harris). He has access to all the IIS library &  research. 

He said he is not an author nor an Al Waezeen (missionary) - His profile is not on the IIS website nor in the book synopsis (link below). The book will be sold at the ITREB desks at Jamat Khannas and is not available online at present. (I have requested this) 

His book he said is a collection of his essays which are stand alone and in them he has cited many Farmans & Hadiths (including those he named Imam Sultan Mohammed Shah, Imam Moiz, Imam Jafar Sadiq &  Imam Ali) 

He was asked about the lessons  Leaders and the Ismaili community today can Learn from reasons of the fall of the Fatimid  empire. This was in the context of his research on the community profile then and today. And Hazar Imam ( Aga Khan) asking the community to learn from the past and bring the lessons forward. 

He did not answer this question. He spoke instead of the Spiritual empire of Ismaili community being the same then, and today. He said the IIS building is an example ( Aga Khan Centre London) 

The following is stated on IIS website about this book 

“Showing how the Shia a Ismaili Muslims unite their spiritual traditions with the demands of living in the modern world according to the ethics of Islam, this collection of essays imparts good sense on topics including an overview of Shia ;i Islam, a profile of the Ismaili Jamat and models for contemporary living. Under the guidance of the hereditary Imam of the Time, Aga Khan IV, the Jamat embraces a rich diversity of traditions which collectively strive towards the betterment of self and society. These clearly written essays highlight the crucial Ismaili traditions of philanthropy, voluntary service and self-reliance, while touching on the activities and achievements of the institutions of the Ismaili Imamat.

As a highly respected and veteran Jamati leader, who has also worked at the Institute of Ismaili Studies for over 40 years, Shams Vellani offers a unique perspective on the faith. 

Readers will benefit from the careful observations and keen insights shared by the author from a lifetime of service in the Ismaili community.”

I have written and asked for a copy of the book, for above clarification & to interview the IIS & S Vellani. No response nor an acknowledgment so far. If and when received, more related information will be posted. 

Links 
Authority of Imam-Aga Khan - and his Farmans http://www.ismaili.net/html/modules.php ... 0584#70584

Lawsuit filed and Meeting with Imam http://ismaili.net/source/legal-documen ... hatur8.pdf

IIS - Book - https://www.iis.ac.uk/publication/peopl ... e-ismailis

** (https://www.iis.ac.uk/people/mr-wafi-ahmed-momin)

By M Chatur - 10 Sept 2020
Last edited by mahebubchatur on Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:49 am, edited 2 times in total.
swamidada
Posts: 1614
Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2020 8:59 pm

Re: People of Faith by S Vellani - Institute of Ismaili Stud

Post by swamidada »

mahebubchatur wrote:A New book ipublished by the Institute of Ismaili studies (IIS) London. 

“People of faith” - by Shams Vellani,

Book Launch - preview

The book was launched at the Aga Khan Centre London and online, on 6th Sept 2020 . The launch was sponsored and supported by IIS & ITREB (Ismaili Tariqah & religious education Board)

He added that Ismaili Muslims look at the Quran through the “lens” of their Imams. who interpret and give the Talim (teachings) and Tawil (interpretations) of the Quran. These collectively called Farmans are a part or & an extension of the Quran which are for and to be given to all. They are divinely ordained and so belong to the people- believers.

By M Chatur - 10 Sept 2020

In my opinion the sentence "......Farmans are a part or & or an EXTENTION of the Quran" are not appropriate in the following paragraph. Please refer to first article of PREAMBLE about explanation of Quran by Hazar Imam.

He added that Ismaili Muslims look at the Quran through the “lens” of their Imams. who interpret and give the Talim (teachings) and Tawil (interpretations) of the Quran. These collectively called Farmans are a part or & an extension of the Quran which are for and to be given to all. They are divinely ordained and so belong to the people- believers.
mahebubchatur
Posts: 734
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:01 pm

Re: People of Faith by S Vellani - Institute of Ismaili Stud

Post by mahebubchatur »

swamidada wrote:
mahebubchatur wrote:A New book ipublished by the Institute of Ismaili studies (IIS) London. 

“People of faith” - by Shams Vellani,

Book Launch - preview

The book was launched at the Aga Khan Centre London and online, on 6th Sept 2020 . The launch was sponsored and supported by IIS & ITREB (Ismaili Tariqah & religious education Board)

He added that Ismaili Muslims look at the Quran through the “lens” of their Imams. who interpret and give the Talim (teachings) and Tawil (interpretations) of the Quran. These collectively called Farmans are a part or & an extension of the Quran which are for and to be given to all. They are divinely ordained and so belong to the people- believers.

By M Chatur - 10 Sept 2020

In my opinion the sentence "......Farmans are a part or & or an EXTENTION of the Quran" are not appropriate in the following paragraph. Please refer to first article of PREAMBLE about explanation of Quran by Hazar Imam.

He added that Ismaili Muslims look at the Quran through the “lens” of their Imams. who interpret and give the Talim (teachings) and Tawil (interpretations) of the Quran. These collectively called Farmans are a part or & an extension of the Quran which are for and to be given to all. They are divinely ordained and so belong to the people- believers.

Hazar Imam says in the constitution and in Farmans, that Farmans are from The Quran, and are the Tawil and Talim, of the Quran. They like in the constitution, Imam says the constitution must be read with Farmans.

The Quran and the constitution must be both read with Farmans. The constitution is also a Farman as defined by Imam in the constitution and Farmans.

Therefore Farmans are a part of. & Pvt or an extension or an elucidation of - the Quran (being Tawil & Talim)
swamidada
Posts: 1614
Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2020 8:59 pm

Re: People of Faith by S Vellani - Institute of Ismaili Stud

Post by swamidada »

mahebubchatur wrote:
swamidada wrote:
mahebubchatur wrote:A New book ipublished by the Institute of Ismaili studies (IIS) London. 

“People of faith” - by Shams Vellani,

Book Launch - preview

The book was launched at the Aga Khan Centre London and online, on 6th Sept 2020 . The launch was sponsored and supported by IIS & ITREB (Ismaili Tariqah & religious education Board)

He added that Ismaili Muslims look at the Quran through the “lens” of their Imams. who interpret and give the Talim (teachings) and Tawil (interpretations) of the Quran. These collectively called Farmans are a part or & an extension of the Quran which are for and to be given to all. They are divinely ordained and so belong to the people- believers.

By M Chatur - 10 Sept 2020

In my opinion the sentence "......Farmans are a part or & or an EXTENTION of the Quran" are not appropriate in the following paragraph. Please refer to first article of PREAMBLE about explanation of Quran by Hazar Imam.

He added that Ismaili Muslims look at the Quran through the “lens” of their Imams. who interpret and give the Talim (teachings) and Tawil (interpretations) of the Quran. These collectively called Farmans are a part or & an extension of the Quran which are for and to be given to all. They are divinely ordained and so belong to the people- believers.

Hazar Imam says in the constitution and in Farmans, that Farmans are from The Quran, and are the Tawil and Talim, of the Quran. They like in the constitution, Imam says the constitution must be read with Farmans.

The Quran and the constitution must be both read with Farmans. The constitution is also a Farman as defined by Imam in the constitution and Farmans.

Therefore Farmans are a part of. & Pvt or an extension or an elucidation of - the Quran (being Tawil & Talim)
Dear Sir, extension means 'an extended' or 'added part'. Your assertion that Farmans are part of Quran is not accurate. No where in constitution Imam wrote that Farmans are part of Quran. If you have any such Farman please quote it. Farmans related to Quran are no doubt explanation or interpretation of Quran.
kmaherali
Posts: 25705
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Book of the Month: “People of Faith”, by Shams Vellani

The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) has a new publication by Shams Vellani - “People of Faith”- that shows how the Shi'a Ismaili Muslims unite their spiritual traditions with the demands of living in the modern world according to the ethics of Islam.

Portuguese

This collection of essays imparts good sense on topics including an overview of Shi‛i Islam, a profile of the Ismaili Jamat and models for contemporary living. Under the guidance of the hereditary Imam of the Time, Aga Khan IV, the Jamat embraces a rich diversity of traditions which collectively strive towards the betterment of self and society. These clearly written essays highlight the crucial Ismaili traditions of philanthropy, voluntary service and self-reliance, while touching on the activities and achievements of the institutions of the Ismaili Imamat.

As a highly respected and veteran Jamati leader, who has also worked at the Institute of Ismaili Studies for over 40 years, Shams Vellani offers a unique perspective on the faith. Readers will benefit from the careful observations and keen insights shared by the author from a lifetime of service in the Ismaili community.

https://the.ismaili/portugal/book-the-m ... ms-vellani
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