Today, our Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, arrives in Toronto. In the next few days, thousands of us will have the opportunity to be in his presence.
This will be the first time ever for us to receive the Didar of the 50th Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. For some Ismailis, it will be the first time ever that they are in the presence of the Imam-of-the-time. For others, there is a long history – of having seen his late father, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, and even his late great-grandfather, His Highness Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.
And when the moment comes, may we be fully there.
As I’ve been reflecting on this moment, I’ve realized something important: There is no one way to prepare. Because each of us has our own relationship. And a relationship is personal.
For some, preparation looks like prayer.
Spending more time in Jamatkhana. Sitting in reflection.
Engaging in remembrance.
For others, it looks like service.
Volunteering.
Giving time and energy.
Helping create an experience that allows so many people to gather.
Because this, too, is a deep and abiding expression of our faith.
For some, there is excitement.
For others, a quiet nervousness.
A sense of awe.
Even a wondering of how to show up for a moment like this.
And all of it feels right.
Because a relationship is not one-size-fits-all. It is lived. Felt. Experienced differently by each of us.
As I prepare, I find myself leaning into prayer.
Waking at 4 am to sit in stillness.
Carrying prayer with me as I move through the day. Learning the new English translation of our Arabic prayers (the D’ua).
Reflecting on his messages around ethics, compassion, service and kindness.
I also find myself reflecting on what I am holding in my heart for this Didar.
A prayer for his happiness.
A prayer for the happiness of the Jamat.
And a deep hope for spiritual upliftment — for all of us.
Not out of obligation.
But out of a desire to arrive more present. More grounded. More open.
Perhaps preparation is less about doing more – and more about listening. Becoming still enough to receive. Because in our tradition, this is not just an ordinary moment. It can be something more. It can be life-changing.
However we choose to prepare, may it bring us closer.
Closer to our faith. Closer to our community. Closer to humanity.
And closer to what this moment means for each of us.
