KAMPALA, UGANDA: In efforts to better serve humanity and voluntary services to vulnerable communities, 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.
The Muslim’s organization joined by Ugandan music star Edrisah Musuza aka Eddy Kenzo kicked off the activities over the weekend, with the collection of relief aid items from their drop-off points including Aga Khan High School, Fairway Hotel, Nakasero and Yujo Restaurant, Nakasero.
Among the items collected included clothes and Shoes, books/Textbooks/Newspapers, note pads, pens, pencils, crayons, colors, and old computers/phones
Other small household items such as lamps, pots, pans, utensils, among others were collected and will be delivered to vulnerable communities.
According to their program, starting today, whatever they’ve collected will be taken to Aga Khan school at old Kampala and sorted out before they start distribution.
Among the beneficiaries of this relief, aid include musician Eddy Kenzo’s Masaka Ghetto Kids Africa who are expected to receive clothes, shoes, learning materials among others.
Azhar Jaffer, one of the organizers, also Managing Director Fairway Hotel, which is one of the collection centres said that the activity is simultaneously happening in over 26 countries and all of them uniformly started the exercise on Saturday and ended on before they begin distribution.
Azhar added that by doing such humanitarian activities aimed at improving the communities in which they live, they don’t expect any payback by the beneficiaries, but it’s in their religious teachings that you have to share with less privileged in your community for better co-existence and then God rewards you more.
Siyan Hudda, the other attendant we found at another collection point in Nakasero said the Ismaili community does this annually for the betterment of the communities.
“Your donation will be deeply appreciated and can help make a difference to those who are less fortunate. Thank you on behalf of the Aga Khan community and the Uganda Ismaili Civic Team,” said Siyan while receiving more from Samaritans who passed by to drop clothes.
In Uganda, the campaign is aimed at mobilising relief donations to support communities that 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.
About the Ismaili CIVIC Programme
Ismaili CIVIC 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.
This international endeavor reflects the community’s ethic of civic engagement and good citizenship, exemplifying Islam’s core values of service, peace, compassion, and care for the vulnerable. Reflecting the pluralism of the Muslim world generally, the Ismailis are a richly diverse community within the Shia branch of Islam who belong to distinct ethno-geographic and linguistic traditions. They are united by their belief in a living hereditary Imam of the Time from the progeny of Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him and his family).
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