As the dandia celebration music played softly in the distance, I reviewed my notes from so many extraordinary conversions that were held throughout this day of jubilation. It was then – in a glimpse - I noticed a volunteer, quietly sitting at a table, finally finding the time to eat his dinner. He was the first volunteer I saw upon my arrival into the Jubilee Hall early that morning. I saw him throughout the day helping in various capacities; regardless of the task, he was always smiling. I walked over to him, introduced myself, and sat down to conduct what would be my final Diamond Jubilee interview.
Murtaza Ramzan’s friends call him Ali. Ali is a volunteer for the Seattle Diamond Jubilee Safety and Security Team, and his role was one of many that we all take for granted. He began by sharing how honored and humbled he was to be involved in the Diamond Jubilee events. He told me that pre-celebration time leading up to this auspicious occasion brought him closer to his community. He started attending Jamatkhana more regularly, and he fostered stronger relationships with Jamati members he had never met before. He took this time to reconnect and find ways to bring compassion into his everyday activities and interactions.
Ali recalled Golden Jubilee of ten years ago and how much life has changed over the past decade. I asked him how his Golden Jubilee experience compared to today, the start of the Diamond Jubilee. It was this question that sparked one of the most profound moments from my Jubilee Interviews. There was clear emotion in Ali’s eyes as he described what today meant for him. Ten years ago, Ali was nineteen years old, and he remembered celebrating Golden Jubilee with his mom, dad, and sister here is Seattle. Today, he celebrated Diamond Jubilee with hopes to make his father proud knowing that, although his father was no longer physically present, he was shining his love down on Ali and his family.
The Homage Ceremony was the highlight for Ali. Ali’s father was named Mahmoud, so as Mawlana Hazar Imam thanked President Mahmoud Eboo of the Ismaili Leaders International Forum, Ali felt that his father was spiritually present. To Ali, this was a gift of immense proportions. He had no doubt that his father would be proud of his seva. Ali said he felt, “blessed to get the opportunity to volunteer for over fifteen hours straight, to serve the Jamat, and to celebrate this Diamond Jubilee.” Fifteen hours of voluntary service, served in one day, and Ali still had a smile on his face, exemplifying the true meaning of voluntary service.
Ali is just one of thousands of other volunteers across the country involved for weeks in planning this historic celebration, serving quietly, with the satisfaction of having made this such a special day for so many.
