We Make a Difference

Today’s Al-Akhbar focuses on our long-standing tradition of voluntary service.

This past year, the global Jamat celebrated the centenary of the Ismaili Volunteer Corps, founded by Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah in Bombay,  India in 1919. The Ladies Volunteer Corps was formed the following year and these uniformed groups spread quickly, as Ismaili Muslims around the world joined the Corps to serve their Jamat and the Imam-of-the-Time. 

The establishment of the Ismaili Volunteer Corps is an expression of the Ismaili Muslim tradition of offering voluntary service out of love and devotion to the Imam-of-the-Time. This ethic of service has manifested itself throughout Ismaili history. Notable examples include those who served alongside Imam Ali, Imam Husayn, and through the work of the Da’is and Pirs, who educated followers about the faith over centuries, including the establishment of the Fatimid empire in North Africa.

In modern times, this tradition of service to the Imamat has manifested itself in various ways. This includes serving the Jamati institutions, the Aga Khan Development Network, offering Time and Knowledge Nazrana, and participating in Ismaili CIVIC initiatives to improve the quality of life of others in the broader community. It is with pride and admiration that we pay tribute to all volunteers, past and present, who have dedicated their efforts to the comfort, care, and well-being of others as we celebrate National Volunteer Week from Sunday, April 19 to Saturday, April 25.