The idea of volunteerism is ingrained deep in our hearts and for many of us, it is a part of our daily lives. One of those volunteers is Mahedi Lalani. Born in Kenya and arriving in the US in 1968. As a student, he received degrees in Film and Television production and in Broadcasting and Media Journalism.
There were only ten Ismaili students in Chicago at that time, who got together for Khushiali and special events. Mahedi assisted in producing the first Ismaili USA, which was two pages long, for Khushiali celebrations in Chicago in 1973.
Over time, Mahedi was given the opportunity to produce the 1983 Silver Jubilee video, his first major project, and the first time in the US for video production of Hazar Imam’s visit. By this time, he was already working in a television company as a producer and director. This was followed by the 1986 US visit video, 1987 Conference of the Birds video for the stage production, and Hazar Imam’s 40th Imamat Exhibit tour. He was also responsible for The Expressions of the Pamir (1999) live productions for the Pamiri artists’ visit to the US, along with the Atlanta Jamatkhana opening, and the Houston Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center Foundation ceremony.
Videographer Mahedi Lalani during the Jubilee Games, Dubai, 2016.jpg
To add to his credits, he produced the videos for the Jubilee Games (2017), the US Diamond Jubilee Atlanta live production, and was part of the Lisbon Diamond Jubilee Darbar (2018) live production team, and other concerts at the Lisbon celebrations.
In 1982, Mahedi joined the organizers of Al-Ummah Camp, Mali and Lutaf Dhanidina, Fariyal Ross-Sheriff, Ali Asani, Azim Nanji, and others, to record all the activities at the camp, which he did for 20 years. “The dearest to me of all my services is the Al-Ummah program,” says Mahedi, and “Over the years, I have worked with hundreds of participants, counselors and directors. As I travel today to different Jamatkhanas in the USA, I’m proud to see so many Al Ummah participants, counselors as well as directors, who are involved in various Jamati and Imamat institutions.”
Every year Mahedi spent four weeks in the summer at Al-Ummah for 20 years, in various capacities. His reasoning for volunteering at Al-Ummah was the same as many of those who attended, to have the opportunity to work with our Ismaili youth and to facilitate in maintaining their identity, culture, faith, and values, along with their American identity.
From 2006 to 2008, Mahedi took the Director of Public Affairs and Communication position at Pamir Energy Company, an Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) project in Khorog, Tajikistan. During the Golden Jubilee, he learned about the Tajik Jamat and their traditions. “I was constantly requested to join our Pamiri Jamat at various gatherings and Jumo Namoz on Thursday evenings, where I got to know everyone first hand,” says Mahedi.
“The most heartfelt and touching experience I had was when I visited an orphanage in the district of Roshan, with infants and older teenagers,” recalls Mahedi. “The older children helped take care of the younger ones. I used to look forward to spending my time with them, playing games, dancing, and exchanging stories. I wonder where they are and how their lives are today.”
Given his commitment and interest in youth, no doubt Mahedi inspired them and left an indelible positive impression, especially about reaching out and helping others.