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  • A team of volunteers bring a panel to assemble the stage at the Mulaqat venue.
    Mahek Bhojani and Ruhee Momin | 18 March 2018 | USA

    Volunteers prepare for the USA Diamond Jubilee visit

    A team of volunteers bring a panel to assemble the stage at the Mulaqat venue. Nadirali Patel
  • Over 500 volunteers gathered to prepare over 60,000 welcome bags in a single day in advance of the Mulaqat.
    Mahek Bhojani and Ruhee Momin | 18 March 2018 | USA

    Volunteers prepare for the USA Diamond Jubilee visit

    Over 500 volunteers gathered to prepare over 60,000 welcome bags in a single day in advance of the Mulaqat. Shahnoor Khuwaja
  • A team checks and assembles name badges for the thousands of volunteers preparing for the visit.
    Mahek Bhojani and Ruhee Momin | 18 March 2018 | USA

    Volunteers prepare for the USA Diamond Jubilee visit

    A team checks and assembles name badges for the thousands of volunteers preparing for the visit. Shahnoor Khuwaja
Related Information
VIDEO: Volunteers in Action - Houston, TX

Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Houston on Sunday, March 18, to conclude his historic 10-day visit to the United States. 

Months of preparation and anticipation culminate in four momentous days this week for thousands of Ismailis in the southwest, who are congregating in Houston and looking forward to a Mulaqat with the Imam. 
 
In both Atlanta and Houston, thousands of volunteers from every Jamat have been the backbone of the preparations. To maximize use of the talent in the Ismaili Jamat, the Jubilee Event Management System (JEMS) has matched volunteers to areas where their services are needed, including transportation, hospitality, food preparation, stage design, and flower arrangements. 
 
From information desks, to shuttles, and almost daily communications about logistics, every conceivable necessity has been planned meticulously...and now is the time for these volunteers to implement them, a task they are embracing enthusiastically.
 
In Atlanta, volunteers were busy through the night dismantling and cleaning the Georgia World Congress Center, where the Mulaqats were held. "We required two different Mehmani halls, which meant that two stages were needed," said Murad Rupani, Assistant Construction Lead. "We apologized to our team members for the double work, but they said, 'Any time we have an opportunity for more seva, we are happier.'" He added, "What took over three weeks to build, took only 20 minutes to take down. It was a very emotional process, and some of our volunteers had tears when they were taking the stage apart."
 
While Atlanta was tearing down, Houston was building feverishly to have the halls ready for the Mulaqats. Faheem Dharamsi from Dallas commented, "We’ve been here throughout the day and night. It’s a massive effort but events like this are where I really feel the meaning of 'One Jamat.' I’m working on a team from all over the nation, people from Oklahoma, Dallas, and Houston. We’ve really become a family now.” 
 
Volunteer, Aalia Lalani echoed the same sentiment: “I am so proud to be an Ismaili Muslim. Volunteering is a part of our tradition and culture; we come together and make things happen. We have been preparing for the Mulaqat since November, and my family and I have been driving to Houston every weekend for training. I can’t believe that the time is finally here...I can’t wait to see my Imam!” 
 
Volunteers like Murad, Faheem and Aalia, and the Jamat's leadership, have worked tirelessly to assure that every member of the Jamat at the Mulaqats has a comfortable and memorable experience.