Ismaili community mobilises relief to help the vulnerable

The Ismaili Community in Uganda and the Indian Association of Uganda, as part of the global Ismaili Civic engagement, on Saturday launched a week-long campaign to mobilise relief items for the less fortunate in society.

While launching the campaign, Mr Jaffer Azhar, the chairperson of Outreach Aga Khan National Council Uganda, said the Ugandan activities coincide with similar events by Shia Ismaili Muslim communities in 26 countries around the world.

“We are collecting used household items and clothing, Information and Technology equipment like used [mobile] phone [handsets] and computers which we shall fix and donate to communities, old newspapers from which people can create things to sell and earn income,” he said.

The Ismaili Civic, according to information on its website, is a “global programme under which the Shia Ismaili Muslim community across the world has united around its centuries-old tradition of serving humanity by rendering voluntary service to improve the quality of life of the communities in which they live, regardless of faith, gender and background”.

Other items that the Ismaili Community are collecting from well-wishers include shoes, books, scholastic materials, and household items such as pots and pans.  

Mr Azhar implored individuals who can volunteer to pick the donations from wiling givers to do so and drop the collections at Aga Khan High School, Fairway Hotel or Yujo Restaurant in Kampala.

The donations will eventually be transferred to Disabled Women in Development,  Masaka Kids Africana home, Madrassa programme e and other vulnerable communities.

“Your donation can help make a difference to those who are less fortunate,” according to information on the flier about the Ismaili Civic Uganda drive.

Mr Azhar said the initiative demonstrates their core values of service, peace, compassion and care for the vulnerable. 

In Uganda, the campaign is aimed at mobilising relief donations to support communities which have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Other activities
The Ismaili Community and the Indian Association of Uganda will also engage in environmental programmes to address the effects of climate change.

Other charitable and voluntary events that the Ismaili Civic organises relate to economic development, health, education, environmental stewardship to protect natural resources and culture to promote language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts through festivals, theatre and art exhibitions.