Ismaili Volunteers: A New Era of Khidma
December 14, 2023 | Canada
Mawlana Hazar Imam last year approved new guidelines for our uniformed volunteers. Among the key changes are a new name – Ismaili Volunteers – a new motto – khidma – and new uniform designs, all aiming to contemporise the identity and image of the volunteers as an Ismaili community-based civil society organisation.
The new uniforms will be the most visible aspect of the approved changes. Volunteers are looking forward to serving in the newly designed outfits, which will be available in Canada in January. Changes will also be implemented to the structure and nomenclature of the Ismaili Volunteers (IV) leadership positions in Canada.
The new set of guidelines marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Ismaili Volunteers, long recognised for their dedication to service. In setting out the new principles last year, Mawlana Hazar Imam said in a message to the Jamat that the aim is “to bring about standardisation and parity in the various elements relating to the organisation of the uniformed volunteers, without compromising their spirit of service.” He also emphasised that the new guidelines will fully respect the global Jamat's socio-cultural diversity.
Arabic for the word 'service', khidma expresses the core value of Ismaili volunteers and unites Ismaili volunteers across all countries, ages, and cultures. Rendered as khidmat in Jamats of Persian and Indic language usage, it succinctly expresses the notion of unconditional service.
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