September 24 is marked across the globe as the Global Ismaili CIVIC Day. The community engages in several voluntary service activities around the world, this week to mark the day and celebrate Ismaili CIVIC’s contribution in serving humanity and enriching lives.

Underscoring his personal commitment to the work for the future of the planet, in his speech at the Aga Khan University Prince Rahim Aga Khan said “…we see increased and accelerated action as a moral imperative. We can and must do more”.

Global Ismaili CIVIC Day 2023 saw the Ismaili CIVIC Team and the Global Encounters Ismaili Arts Festival Team partner to bring Jamat across ANZ together, plant a seed, and make a pledge of care for the environment.

Jamati members in Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney participated in a ‘Plant a Seed’ activity. Jamat engaged in seed/seedling planting, decorated their pots showing off creative talent, and at the same time set an intention for the future. The activity symbolised the shared goal of ‘care’ underpinning the Global Encounters Festival and Ismaili CIVIC.

The purpose of the event was to encourage the community to use their individual agency to make an impact, whether that is by using less water, riding their bike instead of driving, recycling more, or spreading the message to their peers, that it’s the small things that have the greatest impact!

Over the last two weeks of September, ANZ region planted more than 500 seeds and an additional 110 trees in Brisbane through Ismaili CIVIC Brisbane’s Tree Planting Initiative. We could not have done this without the incredible support of the ANZ Jamat, over 50 volunteers, and many hours of team planning and execution, and we are truly thankful to all.

Thank you for joining us to take a symbolic step in caring for our environment. Remember, planting this seed of intention is only the first step, but watering that seed to its full fruition is the goal.