It was high-energy and exciting, loud and noisy, fun and educational, and a night with friends – without parents! This was the Junior Jubilee held at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai in June 2017.

 

Students aged 8-12 gathered to celebrate the approach of the Diamond Jubilee, a kick-off event for this age group.  During the program, students engaged in different activities around the Diamond Jubilee theme. They compiled their own Diamond Jubilee promise, and this memory was captured on video as a visual reminder. Activities during the night included a treasure hunt around the Ismaili Centre where students had to look for clues drawn from the night’s activities, as well as from the information around the artistic and architectural features of the Ismaili Centre. “This activity, which was my favourite, helped me learn so much about the Ismaili Centre, Dubai,” said eight-year old Noah Dhanji. 

 

The highlight of the night was the Human Library activity.  The Human Library is an internationally recognized activity that replaces books with people who share their unique stories.  In this activity, speakers who have worked professionally and in the capacity of volunteers with His Highness the Aga Khan engaged the students with their tales of unique events that have shaped their personal journeys.  They recounted their experiences of service within the community and working with the Aga Khan Development Network. Eleven-year old Jazib Samnani, who thoroughly enjoyed the Human Library activity, particularly hearing an eye-witness account of the Homage Ceremony during the Golden Jubilee, recounted by ex-President Naushad Rashid, said,  “listening to these and other stories gave me goosebumps.”  Surely, when such accounts of community service fall on the ears of our youngest members, they provide inspiration to the future leaders of our community, propelling them to aspire to similar levels of service.