The ethic of service is deeply rooted in Ismaili history and Global Ismaili CIVIC Day (GICD) is a chance for you to take part in this time-honoured tradition. Last year, more than 58,000 individuals united to take part in the third GICD. The fourth annual event will be held on 29 September in all countries where the Jamat lives.
But acts of service are not limited to GICD only. Ismaili CIVIC initiatives take place all year round, in which volunteers from more than 30 countries come together to make a positive difference in their communities, not least via the theme of Environmental Stewardship.
Muslims believe that humans are stewards or trustees of the Earth, with a duty to care for and protect Allah’s creation. This perspective places a moral responsibility on us all to be mindful of our impact on the planet, urging us to make choices that align with principles of ecological balance.
It’s an area of dire need today: 30 percent of child deaths in the developing world are due to air pollution, while 70 percent of lakes and rivers in Asia are unsuitable for humans, and 600 million children cannot access safe drinking water.
Ismaili CIVIC efforts in recent years have therefore focused on improving air quality and cleaning waterways, among other areas. Volunteers have worked with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) to increase the planting of microforests, a concept that encourages rapid tree growth and takes up only small sections of land. Microforests assist to sustain livelihoods, improve climate resilience, and aid biodiversity.
Thus, the GROW initiative was developed in East Africa, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. In Tanzania, AKF and Ismaili CIVIC teamed up and now four microforests are thriving, with the project in Dar es Salaam serving as home to more than 25 types of plants. The partnership is expanding to both Uganda and Kenya. In Afghanistan, the GROW initiatives emerged in 2022 with women at the forefront of the project, where the results have gone beyond a better climate, and even contribute to enhancing the overall wellbeing of the women leading the initiative. In recent years, hundreds of thousands of trees have also been planted in Pakistan, Portugal and elsewhere.
During World Earth Day, in April, Ismaili CIVIC partnered with the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board in India, along with Project Surat and Building Zero Consultants, for which volunteers took part in a river-clean up. The event attracted more than 120 volunteers, who helped to improve the state of local waterways. For World Oceans Day in Melbourne, Ismaili CIVIC volunteers in Australia held a student gallery walk in which young members of the Jamat depicted the vitality of maintaining marine life and protecting our oceans.
For World Environment Day in June this year, Ismaili CIVIC partnered with Ismaili Councils in eight regions to host a plethora of projects for individuals to partake in. In Pakistan, for example, volunteers worked with the Beaconhouse School System to host sessions raising awareness about the environment and the importance of tree planting.
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This year, Ismaili CIVIC needs you to join the effort to better care for our environment. Global Ismaili CIVIC Day will take place on 29 September. To learn how you can get involved, email civic@the.ismaili(link sends e-mail).