They smiled, they cheered, they danced and at times they were so touched, they cried. The thousands of Ismailis who came together in Dallas on July 11, 2017, to usher in the Diamond Jubilee walked away with fond memories of the much-anticipated day. Whatever their role―whether as a murid or sevadari―the Central United States Ismailis welcomed the Jubilee with clear eyes and full hearts.

Here are some of their stories.

Adam Parpia, 6

Volunteer, Plano Jamatkhana

Adam injured his collarbone just days before Imamat Day, but that didn’t keep him from volunteering. A tray of sweets in one hand and sling on the other, he enthusiastically greeted those who entered the convention center the morning of Imamat Day. He was shy, but said he was excited for the festivities to begin. “I want to say I’ll go to Jamatkhana everyday and listen to his Farmans,” he said, when asked what he would say to Hazar Imam if he had the opportunity to meet him.

Navid Nathani, 18

Dancer, Dallas Headquarters Jamatkhana

The story around Navid’s home is that he learned to dance before he learned to walk. From the time he was five until he was 15, Navid was at the center of the dance floor at every family wedding. Every new dance move that popped up, Navid learned it. A friend would show him something cool on ‘Dance India, Dance’, so he copied it. But as he went to high school, his passion faded. “I danced because I was expected to do it,” Navid said, “not because I enjoyed it.”

Navid’s hiatus ended when his two older sisters, Naureen and Sonia, unbeknownst to him, submitted a video audition on his behalf for the “One Jamat Launch.” He was selected for the Syrian performance, which reignited in him his passion for dance as he represented the culture of the Syrian Jamat - which he viewed as a noble responsibility. “By the end of it, I was just hooked,” he said later. “I realized I wanted this experience again, maybe for the rest of my life.”

Suleman Bharwani, 51

Drummer, Oklahoma City Jamatkhana

After the Ismaili band marched through the convention center, Suleman was feeling grateful that he had the opportunity to mix his passion for drumming with his passion for serving the Imam. “I was in a band since I was eight years old,” Suleman reminisced. “I was playing back in the 1980s in Karachi and this is my first time playing here”

Zahra Khetani, 21

Jamati member, Little Rock Jamatkhana

Zahra and her parents drove all the way from Little Rock to attend the festivities in Dallas. They were touched by the iterations of the One Jamat concept in the afternoon dance performance, where dancers showcased moves from different countries such as Syria and Tajikistan. Zahra said she particularly enjoyed seeing the colorful art from different parts of the world on the screens behind the dancers. “It made me truly feel like I was part of one Jamat,” she said.

Salim Lalani, 56

Registrant for Journey for Health, Mid-Cities Jamatkhana

In between informing the Jamat on the Imam’s global health initiative, Salim was smiling and enjoying the celebration going on around him. He said he was very appreciative of the occasion, as he described the day as a “lifetime event” that “will stay with me till the last breath of my life.”

Khairunissa Meghani, 36

Rapid Response Team nurse, Dallas Headquarters Jamatkhana

Since age 8, Khairunissa had seen nurses volunteer within wellness centers and clinics for Jamati members. Eventually, she decided to become one of them. Her commitment to seva led her to help Girl Scouts Troop 2557, Family Day and Partnership Walk as a nurse. But on Tuesday, the Texas Woman’s University alumna took on a different role: She served as a team lead for the 80 nurses at the Imamat Day celebration. “I feel blessed to have been able to render this unique form of service in a capacity that I was inspired by all those years ago as a young child,” she said.

Alizer Khowaja, 17

Volunteer, Dallas Headquarters Jamatkhana

Alizer was darting around the convention center all morning informing the Jamat about Live from Central, a national Diamond Jubilee initiative that exchanged broadcasts from Imamat Day elebrations across the country. But Alizer said he felt a sense of pride seeing Jamati members enthusiastically participate in a ‘One Jamat’ chant for the video.

“I felt that I was part of a larger group and was making a meaningful contribution to my community,” he said. “The ‘One Jamat’ chant itself really brought out the happiness and pride in the Ismaili Community. It showed how our community has the power to come together and make a positive impact on the world around us.”

Maha Kasamali and Carissa Merchant, 13

Dancers, Dallas Headquarters Jamatkhana

With their dancing gowns flowing, Maha and Carissa looked confident and ready to take the stage in front of thousands of fellow Ismailis. They had been prepping and perfecting their performance for more than two weeks; however, it wasn’t all work and no play. Dancers had the opportunity to get to know one another on a deeper level while practicing their performance. “There was lots of joking around,” Carissa said. Maha said she was most excited about participating in raas-garba with the rest of the Jamat later in the night.

Mehrun Bhamani, 73

Hospitality Volunteer, Dallas Headquarters Jamatkhana

Mehrun may be 73, but she has the energy of seven three year-olds. This year she had the chance to celebrate her second Diamond Jubilee. She said she was a toddler when she experienced Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah’s Diamond Jubilee. She said she started volunteering in Jamati settings after her husband passed away 14 years ago. “And now I feel happy, vibrant, and young!” she exclaimed.

Yasmin Abdulaziz, 57

Crisis Management Team, Plano Jamatkhana

In her own words, Yasmin was born to serve the Jamat. She carried her spirit of seva wherever she went, starting by volunteering in Pakistan for 18 years, then Abu Dhabi for five years, then Oklahoma city for 20 years, and finally Mid-Cities Jamatkhana for two years. She said she was happy to―and looking forward to―serving in any capacity during the Imamat Day celebration. “Seva is seva,” she said. “If I have to sweep, I’ll sweep!”

Aria and Zara Lakhani, ages 5 and 3

Jamati members, Mid-Cities Jamatkhana

These two inseparable sisters were strolling along the lobby of the convention center with their family. They didn’t have to think too long to answer what they would say to the Imam if they met him in person and what wishes they had for the day. “Thank you Hazar Imam for creating all our stuff and blessings,” Aria said.