Imamat Day is the Ismaili Muslim celebration held on 11 July, and in Hunza, Gilgit, Ghizer and Chitral it is a village-wide event with lit gates, fireworks, school marchpasts, music and a shared pot of harissa. Visitors who happen to be in the valleys that week often find the mood open and welcoming, and press reports describe the public programmes as open to non-Ismailis, including tourists. This guide explains what the day is, what has been reported at past celebrations and how to behave as a guest.
One honest caveat first. The day has traditionally marked the succession of the 49th Imam, Aga Khan IV, in 1957. He died on 4 February 2025, and his son Prince Rahim al-Hussaini became the 50th Imam. We could not find a report of exactly how 11 July was observed in Gilgit-Baltistan in 2025 or 2026, so what follows relies on earlier years. Ask locally before you plan around any particular event.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Date | 11 July each year (a fixed solar date, not moon-sighted) |
| Who celebrates | Nizari Ismaili Muslims, a large part of the population of Hunza, Ghizer and upper Chitral |
| Where | Villages across Hunza, Gilgit, Ghizer and Chitral |
| Typical elements | Quran recitation, decorated gates, fireworks, cultural evening, harissa |
| Open to visitors | Public parts have been reported as open to non-Ismailis |
What is Imamat Day?
For Ismailis, the Imam is the spiritual leader of the community, and Imamat Day (also called Yaum al-Imama or Khushali) celebrates the continuation of that leadership. It has been observed on 11 July because that was the date in 1957 when Aga Khan IV succeeded his grandfather, Aga Khan III. The date is fixed on the ordinary calendar, so unlike Eid or Muharram it does not depend on moon sighting. Dates for 2026 and 2027 are simply 11 July, though local committees sometimes shift public programmes by a few days for other reasons: in 2013, a Pamir Times report noted that festivities were concluded early out of respect for Ramazan.
After February 2025 the community's focus moved to the new Imam. Dawn reported that on 12 October 2025 Ismailis across Gilgit-Baltistan celebrated Prince Rahim's birthday, the first time they had done so with him as Imam, with decorated welcome gates, lit-up markets and homes, cake cutting and prayers at Jamatkhanas. In May 2026 he made his first visit to Gilgit-Baltistan since taking the Imamat, with large gatherings expected at Passu in Hunza, in Gilgit city, Gahkuch Bala and Taus in Yasin (Dawn, 22 May 2026). That shows the scale of public celebration, but not the format of 11 July in 2026 or 2027.
What has been reported at past celebrations?
The most detailed recent report we found is a 2016 account of celebrations across Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. Its pattern matches earlier years.
- The day itself: Quran recitation at Jamatkhanas, the community's prayer houses, and prayers for peace and for the Imam.
- Decorations: neighbourhoods put up gates strung with lights, and shops, homes and roads are lit in the evenings.
- Fireworks: the evening programme includes fireworks above the valleys.
- Cultural performances: the following day features traditional music, dances and food. In 2016, events at Baltit Fort in Karimabad included local pipe bands and Ismaili boy scouts marching.
- Harissa: the slow-cooked wheat and meat dish was prepared in large pots and distributed to homes.
- Games: tug-of-war between villages is among the traditional contests.
Can tourists attend?
The 2016 report says the events welcomed Ismailis and non-Ismailis alike, including international tourists, and Hunza villages in particular have hosted visitors at these public programmes. That applies to the public side: fireworks, performances, marchpasts and food. It does not mean every part of the day is open.
What we cannot tell you is how crowded any given village will be, or whether the public programmes in 2026 and 2027 follow the old pattern. Your guesthouse can point you to the right village. Keep your dates flexible, and book ahead, as July is high season. See our guide to Hunza in summer and our guide to Hunza culture.
How to behave as a guest
This is a religious occasion for the people celebrating it, as well as a party. A few habits keep you on the right side of it.
- Do not enter a Jamatkhana unless you have been invited. Prayer spaces are for the community.
- Ask before you photograph people, especially women and children, and put the camera down during prayers and at close quarters.
- Dress modestly: covered shoulders and knees for everyone, a loose scarf for women who want it. Summer evenings in Hunza can still be cool.
- Accept food when it is offered. Harissa and tea are offered as hospitality, and refusing without a reason can seem curt. Say thank you, and it is fine to take a little.
Our guide to Gilgit-Baltistan tourist etiquette covers the wider norms.
Is it safe?
Gilgit-Baltistan is not on the UK government's list of areas it advises against travelling to, and Pakistani visitors travel to Hunza and Gilgit throughout July. The UK does advise against all travel on the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, which is the usual road route north. Chitral is a separate case: the UK advises against all travel on the N45 from Mardan to Chitral city and in the Kalash valleys. Check your own government's advice before booking if you are travelling from overseas, because it can affect travel insurance, and check local news and police advice before setting out.
See also is Hunza safe?
Is it worth planning around?
If you are already in Hunza or Gilgit in the second week of July, yes, as a chance to see a community celebrate in public in a way you would not otherwise. Only plan around it if you can handle uncertainty: the exact recent programme is not documented in the sources we found.
For a wider look at the region's year, our festivals of Gilgit-Baltistan guide is the place to start, and the Gilgit and Hunza page covers the practical side of a trip.
Frequently asked questions
When is Imamat Day?
On 11 July each year. It follows the ordinary calendar, so no moon sighting is needed.
What happens on Imamat Day in Hunza?
Reports describe Quran recitation, decorated gates, fireworks in the evening, cultural performances, school and scout marchpasts and harissa shared with households.
Can non-Ismailis and tourists attend?
Press reports describe the public programmes as open to everyone, including tourists. Prayer spaces are not, so do not enter a Jamatkhana without an invitation.
Is there an entry fee?
None was mentioned in the reports we found. Public programmes are community events rather than ticketed ones.
Has anything changed since 2025?
Aga Khan IV died on 4 February 2025 and Prince Rahim became the 50th Imam. We found no report of how 11 July was marked in 2025 or 2026, so ask locally.
