Our Stories
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Family is home; one where safety, security, peace, and love are found simultaneously. When it is dark, this home lights up through the presence of our parents, who are the source of our strength. Parents; the givers of love, without whom our lives seem incomplete, and whose presence we always pray for. Yet, some of these homes are left dark, with no light to shine.
This is a story of longing, love, and patience. This is the story of Umbrin Ali.
During the month of Ramadhan, Ismaili Civic with generous donations from the Jamat collected over 40 school packs filled with stationary, books, toys, and lunch boxes. The school packs were gifted to orphans from the recent Afghan crisis, in collaboration with Mahboba’s Promise. Mahboba is the recipient of the Australian and NSW Human Rights Award for rescuing Afghan orphans from the recent crisis. The children were invited to the community Eid Celebration Picnic in Winston Hills and gifted the school packs.
Ismaili Civic Brisbane in collaboration with Clean Up Australia Day since 2019. Clean Up Australia inspires and enables communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment. This is in keeping with our Ismaili Civic values on environmental stewardship. Such events provide practical solutions to help all Australians live more sustainably every day of the year.
Originally from Pune, India, Hafiza holds a double Master’s degree in the field of Business, Commerce and Human Resource Management. Hafiza’s life took a turn when she moved to New Zealand a decade ago. Like any other new migrant, Hafiza and her family had their share of settlement and employment challenges. But that didn’t stop Hafiza, a mother of two beautiful children, from achieving her goals.
Originally from Hyderabad, India, Ferina Bhaidani is a Secondary Education Teacher, Educational Consultant and Youth Advocate and Mentor, from Melbourne Australia.
A holder of double Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the field of Psychology, Education, Politics, Humanities, and Literature, Ferina is an experienced educational leader and teacher with extensive experience working with youth and adults in not-for-profit sectors
Originally from Ahmedabad, India, Jasmin Lakhani is well-known for her leadership and excellence in the Australian financial industry and is currently working as a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in the Automotive and Electronics manufacturing industry.
Meet Ramzia Shams, an Officer Cadet at the Royal Military College, Duntroon and the Australian Army’s Officer Training Scholarship recipient, from Canberra.
The Ismaili Civic Sydney program seeks to foster awareness and individual action in reducing our environmental impact and achieving climate goals.
In between country and home
Article by Maryam Ismaili. Afghan Ismaili refugee to Australia, 2019
Naila Pachani, a nurse from Karachi, Pakistan is committed to enriching the lives of others through the ever-evolving field of clinical research in fighting debilitating diseases such as Cancer. Naila recently completed a postgraduate degree from Monash University, Australia and is currently working as a Cancer Clinical Trials Coordinator at Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute in Victoria.
Naila is also trained as an AlWaez and enjoys teaching, and conducting faith-based educational sessions. She loves reading books, travelling, singing and dancing.
Our next profile is that of a business professional and creative cake artist from Melbourne Jamat.
Originally from Karachi, Pakistan, Farhat completed her MBA (Master of Business Administration) at Preston University, Pakistan. Since then, she has been constantly upskilling herself and has completed various business and project management courses leading her to become a certified Agile Practitioner. Over the last seven years, she has been working with a local government organisation as a Business Systems Officer, a role that Farhat thinks is both challenging and rewarding.
Besides being a mother of one, Farhat is also a creative cake artist – a passion she discovered only a few years ago. She enjoys challenging herself by trying new and difficult creative cake designs and decorations. In her story, she discusses the importance of keeping a healthy balance between work, family, and her passion – “if you lose this balance, your passion is often the first thing you will have to let go…”.
Originally from Ahmedabad, India, Noorin started her journey with an Engineering degree (Electrical) and later completed MBA from The University of Queensland in 2015. Noorin is currently working as a Project Manager with the Australian Department of Defence, where she is leading multi-million-dollar Air Force projects. In the last 16 years, she has worked in various industries including aviation, manufacturing, renewable, utility, oil, gas, and mining industries.
Noorin’s exceptional work has been published and recognised through various awards including the ‘Top Talent’ award, ‘Leading Executive Trainee’ award and ‘Act Like Owner’ award.