An Ismaili CIVIC 150 rally was held at Headquarters Jamatkhana on Friday, volunteers helped Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, and on Sunday, they worked at the Food Bank.

 

Liberal MP Amarjeet Sohi, NDP MLA Christina Gray, and councillor Mike Nickel joined the efforts on Saturday morning. Over 300 volunteers assisted with the grand opening of Habitat for Humanity’s new ReStore South location while others helped build homes at Carter Place.

 

“It is inspiring to see the commitment of the Ismaili volunteers,” said Gray to the assembled crowd. 

 

The ReStore locations help cover the costs of Habitat for Humanity by selling donated furniture and other items. Volunteers organized and manned a barbeque that accepted donations in front of the store, while those inside helped with customer service and moving furniture. 

 

Leaders from Habitat for Humanity, Edmonton’s Food Bank, the University of Alberta, the YWCA of Edmonton, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Islamic Family Social Services of Alberta attended Thursday’s media launch along with the President of the Ismaili Council for Edmonton, Zahra Somani.

 

President Somani announced that Ismaili CIVIC 150 is a pledge of 1 million hours of service to Canada. It is the Ismaili community’s gift to Canada on Canada’s 150th anniversary since Confederation, she explained.

 

The intent of the pledge is to enable mass Jamati engagement across the country that is not dependant on financial resources, but on the Jamat’s human resource capital. This will allow it to be sustainable year-to-year.

 

Council for Canada President Malik Talib attended Friday’s Ismaili CIVIC 150 rally held at Edmonton’s Headquarters Jamatkhana. 

 

The rally was live streamed to all Edmonton Jamatkhanas as well as district Jamatkhanas. According to President Talib, Ismaili CIVIC 150 is an important initiative. Asked “Why one million hours?” by a Jamati member, President Talib responded: “It is a demonstration of the Ismaili Muslim Community’s care for its country and the common values it shares with fellow Canadians."

 

Liberal MP Sohi, who helped with the volunteering efforts at ReStore South, was impressed with the launch of Ismaili CIVIC 150.

 

“I am so proud of the Ismaili community in Edmonton,” Sohi told the.ismaili. “The work they are doing is incredible.”