Imamat Day

Imamat Day is an Ismaili religious observance celebrating the anniversary of the day the present, or Hazar, Imam came to the throne of Imam at. Of all the Shi'a subgroupings, it is only the Ismaili branch whose line of Imam at continues to the present day. The Imam of the Nizari Ismaili Muslims is The Aga Khan, and his Imam at day is the 11th day of July, an anniversary of the 11th day of July 1957.

It should be noted that the meaning of the term Imam in Shi'a Islam differs greatly from its understanding in Sunni Islam. In Sunni Islam, the Imam is simply the person leading prayers at a particular place of worship, or a scholar. In Shi'a Islam, it is a singular position held by a member of Ahl-ul-Bayt as designated by Allah (God). Shina Imams provide guidance according to place and time and are seen as legatees of the authority of Muhammad. As such the concept of Imamat is specific to Shi'a Islam.

References

* [http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=103467 The Institute of Ismaili Studies]