Being involved with the Jamat has always been an integral part of my life growing up. My parents were always involved in Jamati leadership from a very early stage, which naturally led my siblings and I to spend a lot of time in Jamatkhanas volunteering, helping wherever needed and eventually becoming part of the Ismaili Volunteer Corps (IVC).
When I was 16, I moved to Toronto, to complete my high school. This was one of the most challenging moments in my life - I moved away from my parents, left behind my friends and moved to a new city to live with my older siblings. It was also one of the most empowering moments in my life, I learnt to be independent, self-sustaining and it prepared me for life after high school on my own.
After high school I continued my educational journey and pursued a bachelor's degree in Financial and Business Economics at York University (Toronto). During this time, I developed a love for Photography and founded a small photography side business focusing on people photography - mainly fashion and small family events. I continued volunteering in the Jamat in different forms such as becoming Student’s Majlis Mukhiani, volunteering as a teacher assistant in Baytul ‘Ilm as well as helping during daily jamatkhana for various jamati ceremonies and events.
Upon graduation, I continued to live in Toronto for about 6 more years as I worked within the insurance profession moving from a traditional insurance company to an Insurtech startup.
In 2018, my fiancé and I moved to Barcelona. I continued to work remotely for the Canadian Insurtech startup while he attended IESE Business school to pursue his MBA. It was challenging and quite an adjustment as we navigated a new culture, new language and new realities. I completely fell in love with the remote-working lifestyle and the opportunity to explore the city while continuing to work. It also enabled me to expand my photography to Travel photography and begin blogging about my travel adventures in Europe.
Fast forward to today, I still live in Barcelona, moved away from Insurance and moved into the Technology sector as a Product Manager working for a German SaaS (Software as a Service) startup. Barcelona has been a wonderful experience thus far, and recently I have had the pleasure to return to my volunteering roots with the opportunity to be a part of the Spain Jamat Communications committee. I look forward to serving the Jamat and continuing to pursue all the things I love to do!
