This weekend, from Mumbai to Melbourne, and from Dallas to Dar es Salaam, the first ever Global Ismaili CIVIC Day aims to reflect the values of the Ismaili community, and contribute to building strong and healthy civil societies for many generations to come.
More than 30 countries will participate in the festivities in-person and online, with thousands of volunteers engaged in over 240 activities across the weekend.
Ismaili CIVIC is a global programme under which the Global Shia Ismaili Muslim community has united around its centuries-old tradition of rendering voluntary service to improve the quality of life of the communities in which we live.
The first ever Global Ismaili CIVIC Day will harness the capacity and potential of tens of thousands of volunteers, serving hundreds of thousands of people around the world, with passion, energy, and enthusiasm, while working alongside governments and civil society organisations to enrich lives.
This international endeavour reflects the community’s ethic of good citizenship, exemplifying Islam’s core values of service, peace, compassion, and care for the vulnerable.
“We look forward to coming together as One Jamat to serve our neighbours and make a positive contribution to local communities in various parts of the world,” said Malik Talib, Chairman of the Ismaili Leaders’ International Forum.
“Through our two carefully selected themes, we hope to raise awareness of some of the most pressing challenges facing us as a society, while at the same time improving the quality of people's lives, in line with the Ismaili community’s long-standing traditions of volunteering and civic engagement.”
The first of two themes this year, that of Environmental Stewardship, aims to draw attention, and contribute towards efforts to better care for the natural environment. It will include activities such as tree planting, flower planting, shoreline cleanups, and book drives, amongst many others.
The second theme, Pandemic Relief, will aim to ease the negative effects of the ongoing Covid-19 health emergency by distributing protective equipment and clean water, setting up vaccine clinics, blood clinics, and arranging food collection for those in need.
Volunteers will come together throughout the weekend to collectively drive efforts towards these two causes and make a positive and real difference in people's lives. The two urgent themes have also attracted the attention of charitable and civil society organisations involved in similar efforts.
“We are pleased to be able to collaborate with over 90 partners around the world, who will work with us to support Ismaili CIVIC this weekend,” said Faiza Virani, member of the Global Ismaili CIVIC Day task force. Partner organisations include Plant a Tree Australia, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), United Way, and many more.
“We hope to build on these valuable relationships as we continue to grow Ismaili CIVIC in the months and years ahead,” added Faiza.
All in-person activities will be held respecting local Covid guidelines and protocols. In regions where public gatherings and activities cannot take place, volunteers will engage in individual activities, such as planting flowers in a local garden.
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To participate in the Global Ismaili CIVIC Day in your region, look out for details from your National Council via email and social media, or send an email to: [email protected]
