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Ismaili Flag

Last modified: 2015-06-06 by rob raeside
Keywords: islam | ismaili |
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[Ismaili flag] image by Victor Lomantsov, 10 May 2015

See also:


About the flag

The flag is green with a red diagonal stripe running from upper hoist to lower fly. The flag was designed in 1927 and officially unfurled on 19 June 1927. According to another page at the Ismaili website the flag is only flown on certain special occasions and "As soon as the occasion is over, the flag is required to be removed and folded up. It is quite improper to keep it fluttering for days together or to use it with faded colours. It is common for flags to be hoisted at sunrise and hauled down at sunset."

At that page there is also a photo showing a special version of the flag on the tabletop beside the Ismaili Imam- "It is clearly seen in the photo of Hazar Imam when he was ordaining the New Ismaili Constitution that there was a small Ismaili flag on Imam's table, having an image of the Coat-of-Arms, i.e., the monogram of a crown (taj) on it. This is a royal monogram which was originally presented by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah after his gracious arrival in India from Europe on March 2, 1920."
Ned Smith, 6 January 2006

Nickname of the flag is "My Flag"
"...The Imam arrived Bombay from Europe on December 9, 1928, and when the above flag was presented before him, he became overwhelmed with joy to see it and said, "Excellent! This is my Flag". Hence, it became known as My Flag in the Ismaili community. In sum, the identity of these two colours together found a new lease of life with the creation of the Ismaili flag. The name "My Flag" had however been applied by the Imam himself in his message to the Khadak Jamatkhana, Bombay on June 27, 1927".
Source of the text: http://ismaili.net/Source/myflag/08modern.html
Victor Lomantsov, 10 May 2015


Flag of Prince Karim Aga Khan

[Ismaili flag] image by Victor Lomantsov, 10 May 2015

I believe that the Agha Khan also has a personal standard. As you may know, he is the titular Head of the Ismaili Muslims. I believe that the Agha Khan III, a contemporary and friend of Churchill and many of the world's great and good during the 1920s and 1930s, often flew his standard, especially using a car flag; he also habitually flew the flag from one of his yachts or when he was a guest on a yacht belonging to one of his many friends. I have seen photographs of him alighting or entering one of his fleet of Rolls-Royces which was adorned with car flags based on his personal standard.
Ron Lahav, 6 January 2006

There is an even better photo of the flag of the Ismaili Imam [i.e. the Aga Khan] at http://www.akdn.org/graphics/PressPIX/SIGNINGW.JPG which shows quite clearly the design of the crown & monogram emblem. The photo may be seen in context at http://www.akdn.org/news/photos_170801.html.
Ned Smith, 18 January 2006

A large clickable photo (7 Mar 2007) showing a large flag with the emblem can be found at http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/9089/pmprincekarimshakely6.jpg.
Jan Mertens, 16 February 2008

Prince Karim Aga Khan uses the flag with his personal emblem. A big photo with the flag is found at http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/3595/mhi070320073aa3.jpg.

In the ceremonies without Aga Khan Ismailites use the green flag with a red stripe without the emblem. See, for example
- "My Flag Hoisting Ceremony – Zanzibar on 11th July 2007" https://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2007/08/03/my-flag-hoisting-ceremony-zanzibar-on-11th-july-2007/
- "Volunteers, the Unsung Heroes of the World-Class 2008 Ismaili Golden Jubilee Games Celebrating the 50th Imamat Anniversary of His Highness the Aga Khan" http://simerg.com/stories-of-ismaili-volunteers/volunteers-the-unsung-heroes-of-the-world-class-2008-ismaili-golden-jubilee-games-celebrating-the-50th-imamat-anniversary-of-his-highness-the-aga-khan/
Victor Lomantsov, 10 May 2015

Detail of Emblem

[Ismaili flag] image by Victor Lomantsov, 10 May 2015