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  • Aziza Hassan, Executive Director of NewGround, Muneerah Merchant, President of the Aga Khan Council for the Western United States, and David Tamm, Interfaith Liaison for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
    Taslim Shamji | 15 July 2017 | USA

    Council for the Western United States recognized for Pluralism and Service

    Aziza Hassan, Executive Director of NewGround, Muneerah Merchant, President of the Aga Khan Council for the Western United States, and David Tamm, Interfaith Liaison for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Shams Soomar
  • The Ismaili Choir at the Trailblazer Award Ceremony
    Taslim Shamji | 15 July 2017 | USA

    Council for the Western United States recognized for Pluralism and Service

    The Ismaili Choir at the Trailblazer Award Ceremony Shams Soomar

On March 26, 2017, the Aga Khan Council for Western United States was presented with the Trailblazer Award by NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change. 

The Council for Western United States was recognized for its continued support of the community through exemplary voluntary service. Additionally, State Senator Ben Allen sent a Certificate of Recognition for "commitment to the community."
 
The Trailblazer Luncheon, attended by 300 guests in Los Angeles, featured panels of the nominations for the 2016 Aga Khan Award for Architecture, and the Ismaili Choir, whose choral selections included Arabic, Hebrew, Farsi, Hindi, and English. 
 
Trailblazer Awards were presented also to Melissa Balaban, Founder and Executive Director of IKAR, a Jewish organization, and the Day School Exchange between Sinai Akiba and New Horizon Schools. 
 
Daniel Tamm, Interfaith Liaison for Mayor Eric Garcetti, spoke of the Aga Khan Council's efforts and contributions to the Los Angeles community, citing the example of the Ismaili community preparing welcome baskets for impoverished families moving into independent housing. 
 
Accepting the Award, Ms. Muneerah Merchant,  President of the Aga Khan Council for the Western United States, spoke about the Council’s strong commitment to promoting a cosmopolitan ethic through acts of service.