Ismaili Volunteers
January 12, 2024 | Canada
Volunteerism has been an integral part of the ethos and traditions of our faith. In his address to the Parliament of Canada in 2014, Mawlana Hazar Imam said:
“[The] Canadian spirit resonates with a cherished principle in Shia Ismaili culture - the importance of contributing one’s individual energies on a voluntary basis to improving the lives of others. This is not a matter of philanthropy, but rather of self-fulfillment - enlightened self-fulfillment.”
Ismaili volunteers have been vital to the well-being and progress of our communities. Besides reflecting the values of our Tariqah, this centuries-old tradition of offering time and resources encourages initiative, develops leadership capacity, and offers opportunities for an individual’s personal and professional development.
Last year, Mawlana Hazar Imam approved new guidelines for our uniformed volunteers.
These guidelines comply with his guidance to update and contemporize the Ismaili Volunteers in a manner that respects the Jamat’s legacy, spirit, and tradition of voluntary service worldwide.
Among the key changes are:
A new name – changed from Ismaili Volunteer Corps (IVC) to Ismaili Volunteers (IV).
A new motto – ‘khidma’ - meaning 'service' in Arabic – which expresses the core value of the Ismaili Volunteers and transcends geographical boundaries, age, cultures, and ethnicities. It represents the notion of unconditional service and commitment to the Imam and Jamat.
A new badge, motif, ties/scarves – with a contemporary design that resonates with other Jamati and AKDN logos, and highlights the identity of the Ismaili Volunteers globally.
A new structure – this change involves a restructuring of the leadership positions, replacing military-style terms with civil society titles.
These new guidelines and changes mark a significant milestone in the evolution of the Ismaili Volunteers. In Hazar Imam's message, he emphasized that the new guidelines aim to bring standardization and parity without compromising the spirit of service, fully respecting the global Jamat's socio-cultural diversity.
This new name and structure are effective January 1, 2024.
The new motto, badge, motif, and ties/scarves will be rolled out in all Jamatkhanas on January 26, 2024.
Stay tuned for more updates at iiCanada.org/volunteer.
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