Circles and stars are the key elements of the IVC100 commemorative pin, which was designed by two Kabul-born sisters inspired by the long-term dedication of Ismaili volunteers
Shikiba and Shugofa Azizi, who immigrated to Canada from Afghanistan 10 years ago and now live in Toronto, surpassed more than 100 contestants in a national pin design contest organized by the Ismaili Volunteer Corps (IVC). The contest commemorates 100 years of the Canadian Jamat’s dedication to the IVC.
Their simple yet elegant design features an inner circle that “shows the continuity of voluntary services in our Ismaili community,” while each of its 10 outer circles represents a decade of seva, they explained. They added that the design’s 100 stars signify “100 years of uniformed volunteer service.”
Shikiba, 37, and Shugofa, 24, said their design stemmed from their love for the Ismaili community and their passion for serving the community. While working on the design, the long-time volunteers wanted to create a pin that was both meaningful and artistic.
The Azizi sisters have a long history of involvement in the arts. Shikiba holds a degree in Literature from Kabul University and attended the School of Fashion Arts at Seneca College in Toronto. Shugofa also discovered what she calls her “passion for fashion” at Seneca. Their previous artwork was displayed at the Regional and National Jubilee Arts Festivals during His Highness the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee.
The winning design is displayed on commemorative items, including a gold coin, cufflinks and a tasbih, available to the Jamat for purchase.
“In commemorating this milestone, we remind ourselves of the hard work, dedication and endless service of all volunteers in the past 100 years, and for many generations to come,” said Shikiba.
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2020 issue of The Ismaili Canada.
