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  • The 3-6 year-old segment of the youth dance group perform their dance for the Diamond Jubilee Celebration, at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, TX.
    Sana Ahmed | 15 July 2017 | USA

    Central US Youth rehearse for a Diamond Jubilee Dance Celebration

    The 3-6 year-old segment of the youth dance group perform their dance for the Diamond Jubilee Celebration, at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, TX. Aalyan Rajwani
  • The youth dance group perform "Dream, Believe, and Reach the Sky" from the 2016 Jubilee Games at the Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Dallas, TX on July 11, 2017.
    Sana Ahmed | 15 July 2017 | USA

    Central US Youth rehearse for a Diamond Jubilee Dance Celebration

    The youth dance group perform "Dream, Believe, and Reach the Sky" from the 2016 Jubilee Games at the Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Dallas, TX on July 11, 2017. Aalyan Rajwani
  • Youth under 18 years of age practicing their dance performance in Dallas, TX.
    Sana Ahmed | 15 July 2017 | USA

    Central US Youth rehearse for a Diamond Jubilee Dance Celebration

    Youth under 18 years of age practicing their dance performance in Dallas, TX. Akil Virani
  • Youth under 18 years of age practicing their dance performance in Dallas, TX.
    Sana Ahmed | 15 July 2017 | USA

    Central US Youth rehearse for a Diamond Jubilee Dance Celebration

    Youth under 18 years of age practicing their dance performance in Dallas, TX. Akil Virani
  • The girls of the 3-6 year-old youth segment attend the dry run rehearsal in their performance attire, where they practice their dance for the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations on July 11, 2017.
    Sana Ahmed | 15 July 2017 | USA

    Central US Youth rehearse for a Diamond Jubilee Dance Celebration

    The girls of the 3-6 year-old youth segment attend the dry run rehearsal in their performance attire, where they practice their dance for the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations on July 11, 2017. Aalyan Rajwani

The under-18 performance, composed of Ismaili youth ages 3 to 18, is centered around putting the youngest Jamati members front and center during the momentous celebration of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Diamond Jubilee. 

Standing in a line, some tower more than six-feet tall, others barely reach half that height. But for the 88 participants of the under-18 dance, their performance in Dallas on July 11 is one they all, regardless of age, are eagerly anticipating. “My reaction was, ‘Wow, this is awesome!’” Tanweer Gagani, a 17-year old performer, said.  “I was nervous at first knowing I would be dancing in front of so many people, but I thought it was a great opportunity because it’s [the] Diamond Jubilee. And [the] Diamond Jubilee is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I think it’ll be a great.”
 
“The fact that he has an opportunity to contribute to the celebrations by being part of a dance, it’s just wonderful. I don’t have enough words,” said Fatima Ali, mother of participant Ayan Ali. “As a community, the fact that we can come together and celebrate Mawla’s Diamond Jubilee, 60 years of Imamat, it’s just wonderful.”
 
With participants ranging from toddlers to rising college students, the dance group organizers and instructors are working to ensure that all participants, even the youngest, understand the historic significance of celebrations their dance will be part of.
 
“I love seeing the students so excited about Diamond Jubilee, since this is the first time they’re experiencing a jubilee,” said Sana Hamirani, an instructor for the 3-6 age group. “They’re genuinely so enthusiastic about this dance, because they have no idea what the day will look like. They’re counting down to it, and it’s so great to see their true joy on their face when you talk about Diamond Jubilee to them.”
 
Performance project manager Kinza Hirani said the goal is not just for the performers to create memories they will keep for their lives but to inspire them to pass on their experience as they grow. 
 
“This is just one way for them to reflect and say, “‘Yes, I’m involved, but at the same time, what else can I do more? What more seva can I do?’” asks 22 year-old Kinza. “I hope it contributes to their experience as not just a memory, but a way where, Insha’Allah, whenever within the next 10 years, they can be instructors, they can give back to the Jamat.”