Jamat Helping Jamat - Together We Thrive

Throughout our history, the Jamat has faced adversity with unwavering resilience and embraced change with open arms. Today, our Jamat in Canada faces significant challenges that have left many of our Jamat – both newly settled and already established - in dire need of support.

The Jamat Helping Jamat campaign is an opportunity for us to help shape the future as we continue to build a strong community and support members of the Jamat to flourish in Canada. There are five major areas where your support can make a profound difference.

Visit the registration page at iicanada.org/jamathelpingjamat to discover and express your interest in supporting our sisters and brothers.

Let us pay it forward and build a brighter future for the next generation of the Jamat in Canada.

The Ismaili Greeting eCard Service

The Ismaili is pleased to offer our eCard greeting service. For the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, choose from our unique designs, add a personal message, and send your eCard to multiple contacts at a time. Visit the.ismaili/ecards to get started. 

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Video: The Ismaili Update - March Recap

Join us for the March edition of The Ismaili Update, as we look back at the exciting stories from the worldwide Jamat over the past month.

Video: The Ismaili Update - March Recap

Join us for the March edition of The Ismaili Update, as we look back at the exciting stories from the worldwide Jamat over the past month.

Aga Khan Master Musicians Bring Unique Sound to Madeira

The Aga Khan Master Musicians (AKMM) delivered a stunning performance on 23 March to conclude the Madeira Music Festival at the Congress Centre in Funchal, Portugal. The concert generated significant enthusiasm in Madeira, resulting in a sold-out venue and the presence of the island’s highest authorities, alongside AKMM’s patrons Prince Amyn and Prince Aly Muhammad.

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Canadian Immigration Webinar with Q&A

Amir Akhtar, a regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, will explore diverse immigration pathways including the economic, student, family and refugee streams. This webinar will provide valuable insights to newcomers who wish to tap into Canada's dynamic job market, pursue educational opportunities, reunite with family, or support refugees. Participants are invited to ask their questions during the Q&A period.

Location: Virtual/Online (a link to the webinar will be sent to all participants prior to the event)

Date: Sunday, April 14

Time: 1PM - 3PM ET

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Volunteer Opportunity: National Executive Manager - Human Resources, National Communications Portfolio

The Council for Canada is recruiting for a National Executive Manager, Human Resources for the National Communications Portfolio. 

The goal of the National Communications Portfolio is to increase awareness and understanding of His Highness the Aga Khan, the Ismaili Imamat and Imamat institutions in Canada, and strengthen the Jamat’s engagement in the priorities of the Council for Canada. The role involves partnering with portfolio leadership, developing clear role descriptions for new and existing positions, leveraging platforms to identify individuals in the Jamat to fill key roles, and so forth.

To learn more or submit an application, please see the posting.

The deadline to apply is Sunday, April 21.

The First Day of Spring: Hope and Optimism

This week, Ismaili Muslims worldwide observe Navroz (Nowruz), a festival that marks the beginning of a new year and the first day of spring. Navroz signifies a time of spiritual renewal and physical rejuvenation, as well as a spirit of gratitude for blessings and an outlook of hope and optimism.

Navroz commemorates a centuries-old, agrarian custom that over time was integrated into various cultures and faith traditions. Its origins are traced to ancient Persia, being the first day of the Persian solar year. 

The celebration of Navroz has extended through various parts of the Muslim world and beyond, over the centuries. Today, Navroz is celebrated by some 300 million people in Iran, Tajikistan, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and many other countries. In each of these different regions of the world, Navroz is observed in diverse ways. The commemorations blend together local cultures and customs with the religious beliefs and interpretations found in different regions of the world. 

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Messages from Government Leaders

A selection of greetings from government leaders on the occasion of Navroz:

• The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau - Prime Minister of Canada | View on X

Ralph Goodale - Official Representative of the Government of Canada to the Ismaili Imamat

Arif Virani - Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

• Harjit Sajjan - Member of Parliament, Vancouver South & Minister of Emergency Preparedness & PacifiCan

• The Honourable Kamal Khera - Minister of Diversity, Inclusion & Persons with Disabilities

• The Honourable Pierre Poilievre - Leader of the Official Opposition of Canada

• Jagmeet Singh - Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada

• Honourable Salma Lakhani - Lieutenant Governor of Alberta

• The Honourable Rob Oliphant - Member of Parliament, Don Valley West

Paul Chiang - Member of Parliament, Markham-Unionville

• Doug Ford - Premier of Ontario

• David Eby - Premier of British Columbia

• Raymond Cho - Member of Provincial Parliament of Ontario, Scarborough North & Minister for Seniors and Accessibility

• Dr. Adil Shamji - Member of Provincial Parliament of Ontario, Don Valley East

• Josie Osborne - Member of Legislative Assembly of BC, Mid Island-Pacific Rim & BC Minister of Energy, Mines & Low Carbon Innovation

• Lisa Gretzky - Member of Provincial Parliament for Ontario, Windsor West

• Janet Routledge - Member of Legislative Assembly for BC, Burnaby North

• Olivia Chow - Mayor of Toronto

• Ken Sim - Mayor of Vancouver

• Godwin Chan – Deputy Mayor, Richmond Hill

• Paul Ainslie - Toronto City Councillor, Scarborough - Guildwood

• Christine Boyle - Vancouver City Councillor

• Mike Klassen - Vancouver City Councillor

• US Consulate Toronto

Please check back for more messages as these are updated.

The Ismaili Greeting eCard Service

The Ismaili is pleased to offer our eCard greeting service. For the occasion of Navroz, choose from our unique designs, add a personal message, and send your eCard to multiple contacts at a time. Visit the.ismaili/ecards to get started. 

Read more

 

Employment Opportunity: Employment and Housing Manager

The Council for Canada’s Special Settlement Initiative (SSI) is seeking two (2) experienced Employment and Housing Managers, one located in Vancouver, Edmonton or Calgary and one in Ontario.

This Employment and Housing Manager role is aimed at effective sourcing and utilization of housing and jobs.  Successful candidates will be responsible for critical aspects such as project management, cultivating stakeholder relations, employment partnerships/sourcing and housing coordination as well as management of contractual agreements. 

Successful candidates will play a pivotal role in facilitating the resettlement of refugee families.  Individuals will be responsible for assessing the employment and housing landscape to identify and cultivate relationships with recruiters, employers and appropriate landlords to encourage participation in our program (which aims to provide job opportunities and housing to families seeking to improve their livelihoods).

The deadline to apply is Sunday, April 14.

For more information, please see the job posting.

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About SSI

SSI is the Council for Canada's humanitarian Canadian resettlement initiative that has the primary objective of migrating and settling Ismaili Afghan refugees who are currently stateless and residing in several countries.  In partnership with Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) Canada, an international crisis response and disaster risk management agency, SSI focuses on leveraging Canadian migration pathways, preparation of the families before arrival and support post arrival for housing and jobs, both of which are critical for successful resettlement. SSI works collaboratively with the Council for Canada’s settlement programs and services designed to welcome refugees and their families through Canada’s immigration programs.