What some participants say about Mehboob Kamadia

Children, University students, Young professionals, Adults & Aged Parents 

 

1.     "The tours designed, directed and escorted by Mehboob Kamadia somehow need to be widely recognized, appreciated and promoted by each one of us." - Sameena (USA)

 

2.     "My family's experience with you (Mehboob Kamadia) last spring was incredible and I have never thanked you for that. ...she experienced a part of her history that she will never forget.  You make a difference in peoples' lives and that is something you should be aware." - Dr. Rajwani (Canada)

 

3.     "My Mum is still talking about her trip [to Egypt, Jordan, Syria & Turkey in 2006]. [Mehboob Kamadia] thanks for taking such great care of her." - Nooreen, Australia

 

4.   "My wife and I had an opportunity to travel to Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Paris, France with Mehboob Kamadia and several other participants sometime back and I am happy to state that this was one of the best travels we had taken in our lifetime. Mehboob's knowledge about the middle east countries is fantastic and to be honest we not only enjoyed our trip but also learned a lot. If ever we get another chance to go anywhere we will make it a point to travel with Mehboob and no-one else." - Rehman, Toronto

 

5.     "Our journey with you to five interesting countries [Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Sinai, Egypt in 2009] as well as Holy land [Israel & Palestina] was incredible. It was a mind body and soul enriching experience. This trip has encouraged us to seek more knowledge and understand our faith in depth. For this opportunity I pray for your success and more such trips in the future." - Gulshan & Hassan, Toronto

 

6.     "We have no words to express the wonderful way Mehboob Kamadia organized and planned this exceptional journey to 6 countries: Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Palestine and Sinai in Egypt. ... The unique spiritual dimension of the trip is beyond description. ... The dosage of rare knowledge provided by Mehboob Kamadia was very appeasing to the intellect and the spirit. ... We are more knowledgeable about our Islamic and Ismaili history after this journey which took us to the roots of Judaism, Christianity & Islam. We were very fortunate to know more about Prophet Abraham and his two sons Ishmael and Isaac. ... Mehboob, we both thank you from bottom of our hearts for the journey of lifetime." - Badur, Edmonton

 

7.     "Our trip to Egypt was the most exciting trip of my life; it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Mehboob uncle is an exceptional scholar-guide who, with his vast knowledge of Islam and ancient Egypt, incorporated history, religion, culture and TONS of entertainment into the trip. The trip was not only entertaining, but very educational as well. We experienced every aspect of Egypt without missing out on anything! Our trip included, but was not limited to: a magnificent boat cruise on the Nile River, 4 relaxing days on the beach in a luxury 5-star hotel in Sharm-El-Sheikh, a spiritual pilgrimage to Sultan Muhammad Shah's Mausoleum in Aswan, visits to the pyramids, sphinx, Cairo museum, and so much more. The trip was magnificently planned, and all in all, was absolutely outstanding! Mehboob uncle thank you for such wonderful memories that will last a lifetime! " - Shazmin, University Student Toronto

 

8.     "Our journey to Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Paris was excellent. Ancient pyramids, the Al-Azhar Park, the Sphinx, and castles of Syria, were the best. Being a part of Mehboob' trip was great experience. These parts of the world opened my eyes to a new world. I learned the history of Egyptian civilization, Islam and Ismailis. Together we discovered the centuries old history in a matter of days.  The luxurious accommodation and transportation added to my enjoyment. Most of all the entertainment of belly dancers and night shows were amazing. In the future, I hope to take this trip once again." - Mohammed, College Student Toronto

9.     "It was an awesome journey to Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, & Egypt. It was truly a pilgrimage and a journey of a lifetime." - Rashida, Edmonton

 

10.  "...One of the favourite parts of my trip was when we went to St. Catherine and I climbed till the top of the mountain. It was just amazing! ...My most favourite part of Egypt was Sharm-el-Sheikh. The hotel there was just awesome!! I enjoyed relaxing in the balcony facing the ocean and eating the delicious chicken and fries! :) ...Another place that I enjoyed going to was Alexandria. The library there was just beautiful and we also saw the ruins of a roman amphitheatre there. In Cairo, we visited the Al-Azhar and Imam Hakim mosques and one of the old Cairo gates built by our Fatimid Imams. Now I can really picture the stories in my Baitul Ilm text books [published by the Institute of Ismaili Studies] about the Fatimid empire centred in Cairo. ...One of the best parts of going to Cairo was visiting the Al-Azhar Park. We went two times- once in the daytime and once at night... Mehboob uncle and the rest of the group were really nice and got me a surprise birthday cake and presents on my birthday. I will always remember my 10th birthday and spending it on a wonderful trip of Egypt." - Imran - 10 Years, Toronto

 

11.  J'ai  beaucoup aime mon voyage en Egypte avec mes parents et leurs amis. J'ai beaucoup appris avec Mehboob uncle sur l'Egypte en visitant des places importantes comme les Pyramides et le musoleum de Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah , et j'en garderai un bon souvenir toute ma vie. J'ai meme visite les momies au musee, qui m'ont fait passer des nuits blanches au debut... Les statues immenses, les places culturelles m'ont laisse une trace dans mon coeur. Je remercie Mehboob uncle d'avoir organise ce beau voyage. 

Translation

"I very much enjoyed my trip to Egypt with my parents and their friends. I learnt a lot from Mehboob uncle on Egypt by visiting important places like the Pyramids and Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah's Mausoleum. I will treasure the memories of this trip for my entire life. I saw the mummies in the Museum which haunted me at nights in the beginning....The gigantic statues and cultural places have left permanent imprints in my heart. I thank Mehboob uncle for organizing this wonderful journey." - Anika - 8 years old, South Africa

 

12.    "It was vividly evident to us very early on in the trip [to Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Turkey & France] that Mehboob Kamadia's scholastic background coupled with his role as a tour director was an invaluable asset. It provided us with a unique perspective on the places we visited - an in-depth look as one might say. It was a joy to be with him. He has a tremendous zeal and abiding passion to give to others of his knowledge and insight gained over the years through his scholarly research. We were genuinely impressed with his efficient management of the tour, resourcefulness, calm demeanour, and concern for detail in meeting the needs of the tour participants. His associates and guides in the region were also well-versed in their respective fields and were friendly and helpful. This trip will remain indelibly etched in our memory."  - Nurjahan (Toronto)

 

13.  "Mehboob's talks on Islam, Ismaili Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism and history helped me to meaningfully explore Egypt and appreciate its magnificent history and culture. If I were to rate Mehboob's knowledge and performance, he ranks highest in the scale of evaluation. His attitude as a Tour Director would also be similar."

 

14.    "The whole tour to Egypt, Jordan, Syria & Turkey was organised so well and enjoyable. Looking after every individual's comfort with always a smiling face makes you feel whole heartedly welcome. The way Mehboob Kamadia shares his wisdom and knowledge of history with elders and youngsters alike is truly remarkable and admirable. I came back with lots of happiness, pleasure, knowledge and even made new friends during this most memorable trip of my lifetime. I would not miss a guided tour led by Mehboob Kamadia in the near future."  - Gulshan (Australia)

 

15.  "IRC’s educational, insightful and fun 'Voyage of the Century' will forever remain as a highlight of my life. Thanks to Mehboob Kamadia for this wonderful experience, a lifetime journey and knowledge. We will treasure the memory of this “Voyage of the Century” forever. Mehboob is truly an exceptional and a multitalented scholar. He is a skilful lecturer, an intellectual, a historian and a guru (teacher). His presentations were clear evidence of his mastery over topics and themes which are related to Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, science, politics, etc. This mastery of outstanding and unique knowledge combined with his imposing and charming personality separates Mehboob from the rest of contemporary Ismaili scholars. Is there any wonder why Mehboob Kamadia turns into an instant celebrity?" - Hyder, Atlanta

 

16.  "We wanted to take this opportunity to convey our most sincere appreciation for Mehboob Kamadia's guidance during our recent trip to Egypt. Mehboob was a perfect host and made the experience most memorable - definitely a once in a lifetime journey!  We were most impressed with Mehboob's extensive and expert knowledge of the Ismaili Fatimid dynasty of Egypt.  As Ismailis we were particularly interested in our history.  Our two children - Shereen and Raheem, took away much more than a cultural experience.  They were truly touched by our Ismaili history and heritage.  Mehboob's on-site lectures and detailed follow-up discussions after dinner made a very strong impact on their understanding of Muslim society and the rich and colourful Ismaili history. They are truly proud of their heritage and the contributions Ismailis and our Imams made to the world from Egypt....Reaching a 15 and 16 year old in a profound way about their religion, culture and their place in society is a very significant achievement. ...The guides that accompanied the IRC tours were truly experts in their field and the knowledge gained on Pharonic and Christian Egypt was very educational. Mehboob facilitated a profound experience for our family.  The accommodations, transportation and tour guides were all first-rate!  Bravo to Mehboob! Post-Script:  Dear Mehboob, We still cherish the memories and the experiences you facilitated.  In particular, your network in Egypt allowed us an 'insider' tour of the Azhar Park in Cairo and our beloved Sultan Mohammed Shah's mausoleum in Aswan. We look forward to joining you to Syria in the near future." - Karim & Shairoz (Toronto)

 

17.   "My Journey of lifetime to Egypt was for sure the best trip of my lifetime.  Mehboob Kamadia’s mastery in taking us to very unique places was incredible. ...Thanks Mehboob for organizing the tour and thanks to his wife Khadija for saving us a ton of money by using her exceptional bargaining while shopping for gifts and mementos. The jokes, fun and laughter will be echoing in our ears for a long time. “Mashi” Post-Script: Dear Mehboob, we still can’t stop bragging about our lovely trip." - Yasmin (London)

 

18.   "Unlike all my previous tours, Mehboob Kamadia's tour is incomparable. ...I felt I was travelling with my own close family members. In Mehboob Kamadia's tour I achieved inner pleasure and satisfaction;  its fragrance continues to linger" - Nurbanu (Toronto)

 

19.  "There is no doubt that my trip was a lifetime opportunity to explore Egypt and Mehboob is an excellent tour director with a lot of knowledge. As a person, Mehboob's attitude towards myself was very "very kind"; his performance was not 10 out of 10 but "Excellent 10" and his knowledge too was not 10 out of 10 but "Excellent 10".- Edmonton (Toronto)

 

20.  "(Mehboob) Thank you so very much for taking such good care of my parents. They haven't been able to stop talking about how much they enjoyed their tour of Egypt. In fact, both my parents now think of this trip as the trip of their lifetime, having learnt so much from your incredible knowledge base. Thank you again for showing them such a wonderful time and teaching them so much. They enjoyed this tour more than they were expecting to especially because they learnt so much from you.” - Nimira (Toronto)

 

21.   "It was with great anticipation and excitement that we joined Mehboob Kamadia in the Grand Tour of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Turkey & Paris. ...this extraordinarily wonderful trip provided us with an unprecedented opportunity to experience first-hand part of a fascinating history and in particular relive our glorious Ismaili heritage. An infinitely most satisfying experience was the trip's spiritual dimension which is beyond description. It was also fascinating to witness the vibrancy of the culture and people of these ancient lands - a region rich in history of which one reads in scriptures and dreams of visiting some day." - Nizar (Canada)

 

22.   "The Grand Tour of Egypt organized by Mehboob Kamadia was one of the best in my travels around the world.  Compared to other tours of Egypt, the uniqueness of this tour was that along with other historical landmarks it had a focus on Fatimid contributions and pointers. Mehboob took personal interest in explaining areas like: Imam Al-Muizz Street, Imam Al-Hakim’s Mosque, the Fatimid uniqueness of architecture while visiting Al-Azhar Mosque and Fatimid burial places in Aswan. Egypt is a land of many cultures and so much to see but Mehboob organized the tour in such a way that we kept the balance between sights seeing and relaxation time at Sharm El-Sheikh. ...The bonus of our tour was that during any downtime we took advantage of Mehboob’s intellectual repository and he was so generous in sharing his wisdom and scholarly knowledge on comparative religion and spirituality. We had a very good group and we are making sure to keep the “new friendships” alive and well for which we thank Mehboob. Inshallah, we are looking forward for another great trip in the future with Mehboob." - Dr. Chagla (Canada)

 

23.   "From the busy streets of Cairo, to the historical wonders of Luxor; from the dazzling city of Sharm El-Sheikh, to the serene beauty of Aswan, the Glorious Egypt tour specially made for the Legends of Congo was by far the most exuberant and educational trip that I have ever been on!  In other words, my journey to Egypt was unquestionably a journey and experience of a lifetime. ...We traveled by air, bus, hovercraft, sailboat, all terrain vehicles (ATV) and by camels in the desert, giving us an unparalleled opportunity to experience the diverse scenery. My journey to Egypt was unique because Mehboob Kamadia, a specialist in the Study of Religion, was leading this Glorious Egypt tour. Despite having fractured his foot in the middle of the trip, Mehboob uncle did everything in his powers to ensure the comfort and satisfaction of each individual in the group. He made every excursion an opportunity to learn new things about the history of Egypt and especially Islam. I definitely look forward in traveling with Mehboob uncle in the future!" - Natasha, University Student, Toronto

 

24.  "Mehboob's talks on Islam, Ismaili Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism and history helped me to meaningfully explore Egypt and appreciate its magnificent history and culture. If I were to rate Mehboob's knowledge and performance, he ranks highest in the scale of evaluation. His attitude as a Tour Director would also be similar." - Nasim (Vancouver)

 

25.   I Had a very unique and wonderful trip to Egypt and Dubai. Mehboob Kamadia organized this tour so well and it was a pleasure to join this scholar who has an encyclopaedic knowledge. Truly, I had an experience of a life time with Mehboob which I will never forget. ...I look forward in joining future IRC tours led by Mehboob in order have more of life time experiences." - Noorjahan (Vancouver)

 

26.    "My parents and I really enjoyed our stay in Egypt and Dubai.  Our trip was organized very well, and Mehboob did an amazing job explaining the history of all the sites we visited from an Islamic point of view."  - Raheem (Calgary)

 

27.  "Aswan, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Luxor, Sharm el-Sheik, St. Catherine, Cairo and Alexandria were all interesting cities to visit especially when you know HISTORY is with you - Mehboob is the best person I have ever met on my travel. He is well educated and had all the research needed for this tour. We got more than what we expected. ...IRC's 'The Grand Tour of Egypt' led by Mehboob was truly a lifetime opportunity to explore Egypt. Out of all the places and sites we visited in Egypt, the Aga Khan Mausoleum was the very best. Words cannot adequately describe what I felt in and around the Aga Khan Mausoleum. There was an electrifying effect as soon as I entered into this sacred ground. After that, a spiritual charge gripped the essence of my being and in no time I experienced spiritual pleasure and ecstasy. My second best place was the glorious Al-Azhar mosque-university, built by the Fatimid Caliph-Imam al-Mu`uizz. It gave me immense satisfaction and pleasure to walk on the grounds the Fatimid Caliph-Imams once walked. I also felt a sense of pride because the Al-Azhar was once a rendez-vous place of great scientists, mystics, philosophers and theologians. If God gives me opportunities to travel in the future, I will do so with Mehboob because he is truly the best tour director I have ever met and genuinely knowledgeable. My wife too shares the same views." - Sultan (Edmonton)

 

28.   "Our trip was absolutely wonderful!  It will forever remain in our hearts like a beautiful dream that ended swiftly. The beauty of the trip was in your hands - the organizers.  We packed our bags and the rest was taken care of. The whole trip was organized so thoughtfully that it was a joy to be part of the whole group. Experiencing history through the eyes and the wisdom of a scholar who shared his knowledge whole heartedly was heart warming.  Mehboob we thank you for the wonderful way you organized the tour and it is obvious that it was very well planned.  We enjoyed each and every place that we visited - Alexandria, the pyramids, Aswan, the temples, forts and castles.  We feel very fortunate that we came back with so much awareness and at the same time had so much fun.  Thank you!!!" - Amir & Rozy (Calgary)

 

29.  "My 17 days “Egypt: The Crown of Wonders of the World” Journey was fantastic & wonderful. This journey was the most memorable experience of my life. I have no doubts that Mehboob Kamadia is truly the “GURU” of Egypt.  I am now ready to journey to Jordan, Syria and Turkey with Mehboob Kamadia. The guides were very professional, hotels were impressive, and services with meticulous personal attention was a unique feature of this trip. ...A Christian Egyptian person by the name of Hany prides himself in considering Mehboob Kamadia as his brother and a role model. ...My special thanks to Mehboob Kamadia who fed us with light and heavy dosages of spiritual food throughout the journey. May the 2007 be a year full of happiness for Mehboob Kamadia. May God bless Mehboob Kamadia." - Parviz (Atlanta)

 

30.   "First, we all want to thank you very much for organizing an out of the world trip for us; it was a very memorable experience for all of us, and a very happy time. ... all the tour guides were terrific Everything went very smoothly and your organization and itinerary was superb!" - Dr. Karim (Toronto)

 

31.   "Dear Mehboob: Over the years we have spent countless hours together. Consequently, I have witnessed your endless pursuit of knowledge and the accompanying intellectual growth. However, the 5 day Western Caribbean Cruise that we took together was indeed a very unique and especially a memorable occasion for both Yasmin and myself. We were faced with a difficult situation when we found out that Missionary Abualy was admitted in a hospital and would not be able to join us for the cruise. It would have been humanly impossible for any person to fill the void created by the absence of this legendary figure. However, you rose to the occasion and without any preparation, delivered profoundly inspiring sermons on topics that Missionary Abualy was supposed to cover and much more. We were able to experience the best of Din (World of Spirit) and Dunya (World of matter) during this trip. By the time the trip came to an end, your inspirational lectures, besides nourishing the participants' thirst for knowledge, had also created a bond of brotherhood amongst all of us." - Tajdin (Toronto)

 

32.  "The 'VOYAGE OF THE CENTURY' Caribbean Cruise was so memorable, glorious and meaningful. This cruise was a pleasure and a blessing.  From the very core of our hearts, our sincere appreciation and thanks goes to all those who worked so hard in the making of this cruise. We enjoyed every moment of this cruise and capitalized on Mehboob Kamadia’s incredible knowledge base. What is most impressing is the fact that Mehboob Kamadia was able to convey his superb knowledge to elders and youngsters alike in a clever and riveting manner. As a person, Mehboob Kamadia is wonderful, warm and caring. I was deeply touched because Mehboob Kamadia sacrificed his private time, sleep and cruise entertainment in exchange of sharing his knowledge with his brothers and sisters." - Sam (Atlanta) 

 

33.  "Mehboob Kamadia proved to be a very knowledgeable scholar of Ismaili history and very well versed with the magnificent Ismaili Fatimid era. Mehboob has a lot of energy and worked tirelessly with the group in doing his very best to cover all the historical sights in that part of the world. We had lots of fun and learning with Mehboob during our 26 days Grand Tour of Egypt, Syria, Jordan & France. Mehboob imparted his knowledge to the group whether we were in the hotels or on the road. At times, Mehboob would provide us with boosters of fun and laughter. Overall it was a great experience and we had lots of fun. Mehboob's associates in Egypt, Jordan and Syria were "awesome" and "very helpful". - Annar (Vancouver) 

 

34.  "We visited Egypt with Mehboob Kamadia. The trip was well organized with emphasis on Ismaili perspective. Spiritual pilgrimage to Mawlana Sultan Mohamed Shah’s Mausoleum and a visit to Al –Azar Park were the highlights of our trip to Egypt. The trip was not only "entertaining" but "educational" as well. The hotels were excellent. The four day Nile cruise was very relaxing. We appreciate Mehboob Kamadia’s vast knowledge and his patience in making this trip of a lifetime with a lot of fun, laughter and joy." - Abdul & Gulshan (Toronto) 

 

35.  "A dream come true! From Cairo to Sharm-El Sheikh, to Luxor, to Aswan, we got the chance to visit Egypt with a group of old friends from the Congo. We were called 'The Legends'. Among this group, Mehboob Kamadia, our tour director was the biggest asset. The knowledge he provided us on the country, the history, the culture, the religion, each and every places we visited, always adding a touch of Ismailism, was great! We were proud to see the Ismaili influence in this country. Mehboob did a very good job in organizing the trip, the hotels, the entertainment, the transportation (bus, hovercraft, boat cruise, camels) giving us a diverse scenery. Still today, whenever we hear or talk about Egypt, the memory of this trip with Mehboob Kamadia comes back. Looking forward to visit another historic and cultural place with Mehboob and the 'Legends'." - Shabina (South Africa)

 

36.  "Dear Mehboob, Thank you for the memorable experience that was Egypt! To be in a country that holds so much history was truly an experience of a lifetime. All of the cities, sights and events from Alexandria, Cairo, the famous Pyramids in Giza, the Aga Khan Mausoleum in Aswan, the Nile Cruise, each had something unique to offer which will remain etched in my memory for life. You so generously shared your vast and deep knowledge of the Pharaonic, Judeo-Christian, Islamic as well as Ismaili Fatimid history of Egypt, for which I am truly thankful. You also ensured that we were well looked after in the way of comfortable accommodation, travelling and meals, which were all excellent. The guides you chose were obviously experts in their field who took personal pride in showing us their country’s great historic sights. The in-depth talks you gave to the group upon the various faiths were truly insightful, leaving us wanting to learn more. Once again, Mehboob, thank you for sharing your knowledge, and for the experience that was Egypt." - Nimet (Calgary)

 

37.    "The Grand Tour of Egypt led by Mehboob Kamadia was a lifetime opportunity. Mehboob enhanced this journey by relating to various aspects of our Ismaili history in Cairo, Aswan and elsewhere." - Karim (Calgary)

 

38.   "Aswan was like dream come true and more. Being at the [Aga Khan] Mausoleum was like being in a different world. The Grand Tour of Egypt was a lifetime opportunity, and I noticed that Mehboob Kamadia worked really hard, sometimes he would just get few hours of sleep. He was always there for me. I would definitely travel again with Mehboob Kamadia. I learnt a lot from Mehboob Kamadia and I still would want to learn more. He is a wonderful person. He did whatever he could do in his power." - Nazneen (Calgary)

 

39.  "...As for Mehboob Kamadia, he has excellent knowledge on Ismali History and he was very good with his presentations. He used to provide us details about the places we visited and its history.  … As a scholar, Mehboob Kamadia has excellent knowledge about all the places we visited and his lectures were very informative. It made the visit very meaningful. My best place was Aswan and the visit to the Mausoleum. It was a dream come true. I don't have any words to describe my feelings. The memory will remain until the last day of my life.” - Zarina (Toronto)

40.  “Mehboob, keep up the good work. You are imani [faithful] in my humble opinion and I did learn a lot from you about our Imams, Pirs and others who served our Jamat and Imams during difficult times. Not once did I feel that you were fabricating to make a point. I am truly grateful for sharing your wisdom so unselfishly.” - Issa, Orlando, Florida