Ismaili CIVIC 150 is a pledge by the Canadian Ismaili Muslim community of one million hours of voluntary service to improve the quality of life of Canadians.
Mississauga’s Mayor, Bonnie Crombie, and MP Omar Alghabra attended the event.
“No matter where the Ismailis have settled in the world, they are some of the best citizens who give back to the country they adopt as their home, and give back as vibrant citizens,” said Mayor Crombie in a speech to the volunteers.
Alghabra spoke to the crowd as well: “Canadian Ismailis have been contributing and making this country a better place for a very long time,” he said. “This initiative is a symbol of the community’s commitment to making Canada a better place.”
Ismaili CIVIC 150 is a commemoration of Canada’s 150th anniversary since Confederation and the Diamond Jubilee of the community’s spiritual leader, His Highness the Aga Khan.
The cleaning of Mississauga Valley Park was one of many events that were held on the weekend of September 16 across Canada.
Over the next year Ismailis will continue to make individual and team contributions to fulfill the pledge of one million volunteer service hours through service to others in many forms, including mentorship and coaching, settlement of new Canadians, care for the elderly, service to not for profit boards and charities, and maintaining and cleaning public spaces including parks, trails and walkways.
Sanesha Hajiyanee, a 12-year-old who volunteered at Mississauga’s Ismaili CIVIC 150 event, believes the work is never done.
“As Ismaili Muslims and as Canadians we have a privilege to be able to volunteer and help the community which we live in,” she said. “There is always something you can do to make it better.”
Get counted! Find out more, register and log your hours at iicanada.org/ismailicivic150
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