Imam Rahim Aga Khan Addresses More Than 30,000 in a Major Dallas Gathering
By Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada
Dallas
Downtown Dallas glowed with an unusual sense of serenity on Sunday night as Imam Rahim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, offered didar to more than 30,000 followers and addressed them in a half-hour speech that blended spiritual guidance with reflections on daily life, social responsibility, and personal well-being.
Speaking to the assembled crowd, the Imam warned that social media is reshaping the human brain, noting that its excessive use has diminished attention spans, weakened relationships, and altered patterns of thought. He urged the community to use social media consciously and to incorporate exercise and sports into their everyday routines to maintain mental and physical balance.
Reiterating long-standing principles of the faith, the Imam reminded his followers that helping others is not merely an ethical choice but a foundational element of spiritual growth. “اپنے والدین کا بازو بنو، ان کا سہارا بنو، اور جب وہ جماعت خانہ جاتے ہیں تو ان کے ساتھ چلو، ان کی خدمت میں برکت ہے,” he said, emphasizing care for parents as a sacred duty.
He also praised the dedication of community volunteers.
“جس وقت میں آیا ہوں، میں نے دیکھا ہے کہ آپ سب پھر سے متحرک ہوگئے ہیں۔ جماعت میں خدمت کی روایت سب سے بڑی طاقت ہے,” he noted, acknowledging the renewed energy he observed upon arriving in Dallas.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, two symbolic gifts, deeply tied to Ismaili history and tradition, were presented to the Imam. The first was the ‘Queen Diya,’ an ancient item preserved in a historical case, described as carrying symbolic value linked to the lineage of Imamat and tracing its roots back to the era of Hazrat Ali. The second was a gold chain engraved with the names of the previous fifty Imams, a gesture underscoring continuity, heritage, and spiritual lineage.
Reflecting on his U.S. visit, the Imam expressed happiness that several major community projects initiated by his father in Houston had been successfully completed.
The emphasis he placed in Dallas on physical activity is something the Imam has long practiced himself. Only days earlier, on October 12, 2025, his birthday, he crossed the finish line at the Chicago Marathon, one of the world’s seven major marathons, completing the 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) race in under five hours. He conveyed warm congratulations to Ismaili participants who also ran the marathon and expressed appreciation for the Jamati members who supported him from the sidelines.
In a series of recent Farmans, he has encouraged the community to make time for movement. During didar in Nairobi, he said:
“Make some time to move every day and play sports when you can. Whatever your age, and however busy you are, everyone can make an effort to move more. This will be good for your physical and your mental health.”
Alongside his global responsibilities, the Imam continues to incorporate surfing, fitness training, and long-distance running into his personal schedule. Before the Chicago race, he completed the Berlin Marathon in 2024, further underscoring his commitment to an active lifestyle.
Sunday’s gathering in Dallas left the community with a renewed sense of unity, warmth, and spiritual confidence. For many, the evening became a lasting memory, illuminated by devotion, collective emotion, and a shared reaffirmation of purpose—an encounter likely to be remembered for years to come.
