What has your experience as an ITREB member at the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon, brought you?
Being a member of staff at the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon, and in particular at ITREB, has brought me, and still brings me, an immense sense of gratitude.
I'll share with you a story from my childhood: when my father was Chairman of Human Resources in 2002, once I went with him to where the ITREB and National Council secretariat is today. I was about 11/12 years old and I remember thinking: "How lucky these people are to work in such a beautiful place! And the view of this garden (orange garden).
Finally in these thoughts I wished "when I grow up I want to work here". So how could I not feel grateful?
What aspect of the Ismaili Centre impresses you the most?
Whatever the feeling or state of mind when I enter the Ismaili Centre, I always leave feeling better than when I entered and always with a sense of peace and tranquillity.
There are days with more work and more projects, but every day I have moments of happiness. And I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way, it's brilliant and I'm impressed by the way the little animals wander around the centre's gardens. The birds, parrots and cockatoos that fly around, and the nature that flourishes there every season of the year.
As a collaborator at the Ismaili Centre, what was the most memorable moment you've ever experienced?
Frankly, what strikes me is the sense of sacrifice and love that exists in the people who work at the Ismaili Centre.
What's it like working every day in a place like the Ismaili Centre?
I feel very lucky indeed, I've worked in other places and I've never felt this sense of tranquillity anywhere else.
Where do you see the Ismaili Centre in 20 years' time?
I find it very difficult to look that far into the future, but I hope that the Ismaili Centre will continue to be this place of cultural encounters, of service to the society that surrounds it, of meeting the Jamat, and that a happy, united and strong Jamat will live here.
About Nurin
Nurin Hassanali has a degree in Educational Psychology, Human Resources Management and is a Professional Teacher Educator certified by the Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS).
She is currently a Professional Teacher Educator at ITREB Portugal and aspires to continue growing in the social field.
Within the Ismaili community, she has always been involved in educational areas such as ITREB and AKEB, in the areas of religious education for children and young people and early childhood, respectively. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
