Business owners, professionals, teachers, even those deemed “essential workers,” families, and schoolchildren, have spent most of this year learning to cope with the health crisis, while hospitals and healthcare workers have been overwhelmed in many areas, in valiant attempts to save lives.
The Jamat has not been spared the pandemic’s consequences. The Council recognized the need to address them and has offered continuous advice. It has monitored the health of the Jamat, offered practical suggestions on issues ranging from preventing infections, to dealing with the business and financial impact of the pandemic, and the educational impact on students. Extensive programming was created on a host of issues for the Jamat, including entertainment, to keep the Jamat in touch with issues, each other, and its cultures, as they remained cloistered at home.
The Jamat’s Health
COVID-19 has been more deadly than the flu, and with the health of the Jamat of paramount concern, the Aga Khan Health Board monitored information and guidance from medical journals and public health authorities and began informing the Jamat in January 2020. By March, the Jamati institutions had entered a crisis mode, and a national Task Force was created to assess the situation in every region of the country. Teams considered all aspects of the impact, from the health and financial dimensions, to the impact on students unable to attend school, the closure of Jamatkhanas and alternative ways in which to meet the spiritual needs of the Jamat, and programming for seniors and others who needed information and assistance.
Webinars were presented on raising awareness, cancer care, health access, and returning to work. In coordination with the Disaster Management Team and the Social Welfare Board, hundreds of volunteers called Jamati members, including the elderly and economically and socially disadvantaged groups, to check on their condition and activate help if needed.
Food Delivery
Individual case management for all COVID-positive Jamati members and their families was initiated, and the Ismaili health professionals were also available to provide consultation and second opinions to those infected, through a 24/7 ACCESS Hotline. They also served as liaisons between medical personnel treating patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 and the family, and facilitated partnerships with testing sites and community care clinics.
Sonny Sultani from Chicago lost 20 pounds in five days after being infected, and Noor Pirani from New York was sent back from the hospital due to the crisis situation in the city, where hospitals themselves were not the safest locations. Both self- quarantined at home. The Midwest Health Board sent supplies to Sonny and checked on him daily, and “just having that support, or someone to talk to was critical,” he recalls. Noor contacted the Jamati ACCESS helpline, and says “I got a lot of advice from Jamati doctors. Someone called me every day. They would talk to me, try to encourage me, and make me feel better. It was a big support, especially at a time when you feel the hospitals have rejected you. I was very confused, and ACCESS came to my rescue.”
Ismaili health professionals have been on the frontlines at many hospitals as physicians and nurses. Dr. Farzana Lalani, an Emergency Room physician in New York, contracted the virus and had a difficult three-week recovery before returning to work, while others such as pharmacist Shama Sarangi-Virani are certifying new testing sites.
The impact on mental health has been more widespread with the restrictions on movement and gatherings. The young seem to have been especially vulnerable, a majority reporting higher levels of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression. The positive effect of staying at home has been more people exercising, watching their diets, and improved sleep patterns.
Stress and Disputes
With increased financial difficulties and stress, it was only to be expected that interpersonal relationships would be affected, and there has been an increase in conflict, both commercial and domestic, that required intervention by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board (CAB).
CAB has attempted to mediate disputes through online mediation services, launching a new toll-free number, and by conducting webinars on topics such as interpersonal communication and strengthening relationships to help Jamati members manage conflict. These mediation services have helped Jamati members suffering from emotional and psychological stresses.
Said one mediator, “One positive of virtual mediations is the increased efficiency and time saved traveling to and from the mediation meeting. Online mediation offers more flexibility of geography, time of day, scheduling, and “room” availability, compared to in-person mediation. It has been a silver lining to this challenge.”
Improving Quality of Life
The Quality of Life (QoL’s) Skills Development Initiative (SDI) is a platform that provides Jamati members an opportunity to engage in lifelong learning, teaching them a new skill or enhancing their current skill set which could lead to income enhancement.
SDI programs range from Accounting, Cosmetology, Education, English Language, Health Care, IT, and other non-traditional opportunities. During the pandemic, QoL classes shifted to a virtual learning model and volunteers had to ensure families could connect to online learning opportunities. As examples, after retiring, Mehboob Valliani (aged 72) has taught over 100 people accounting, allowing them to be better prepared for certification programs, while Rahim Jan and Jasmine Masalawala taught Introduction to Microsoft Excel virtually to women, improving their computer skills.
In addition to these courses, SDI partnered with the Ismaili Professionals Network to offer Small Business Initiative/cottage industry classes where individuals are taught handicrafts and other skills such as candle and jewelry-making, mehndi design, etc. Sharifa Adeel says, "I had a little knowledge of making jewelry before I took this class, but I now know all the tools and know-how to use them, and this will help me make better jewelry and I can sell them to make money."
Diloro Ermamaddova remarks, "Applying mehndi will give me a second income and I also plan to have a salon in the future." The team is exploring an e-commerce/e-retail program to allow individuals to explore entrepreneurship opportunities in the digital economy. More than 1,100 Jamati members have participated in SDI programs.
Iftar
Financial Impact
Recognizing the hardships many face, the Economic Planning Board (EPB) has been active in encouraging business owners to remain prudent financially at this time, even as the economy is being affected by unprecedented wildfires, hurricanes, and other effects of climate change. EPB and Disaster Management Teams continue to provide information to the Jamat about how they can best manage these risks.
In addition to encouraging reducing operating expenses, to bringing businesses online, and pivoting into another business, EPB has launched a number of initiatives. The Business Enhancement Strategy Training provides support to improve existing businesses by enhancing online presence and e-commerce capabilities. The American Ismaili Chamber of Commerce has also created an e-commerce platform to bring trade alliance business online. A Business Advisory Team, which consists of subject matter and financial experts, has also been assembled to provide hands-on support for businesses.
Several new business alliances are also being formed, including one for hospitality, dry cleaning, and salons. EPB’s Business Services team is working on establishing a portal to bring all Jamati businesses into one platform that is geared towards expanding business networks to facilitate employment, new business formation, deal-making, and other business enhancement opportunities. A new job app was also created to direct individuals to job openings and to help them with resumes.
The Ismaili Professionals Network (IPN) has assisted over 200 Ismaili professionals to secure jobs, arranged 150 college internships, and provided over 200 IPN certification programs. IPN is also building alliances to bring over 1,200 like-minded professionals together across technology, entrepreneurship, finance, public service, and others. Additionally, over 300 unemployed individuals have been placed into jobs by the Employee Services team identifying opportunities, resume building, and interview skills development.
The Financial Literacy Planning Program presented across the county in physical and virtual workshops has helped many in the Jamat to learn about financial vehicles, to save and invest wisely and to plan for retirement. Conserving assets is critical for difficult times and to provide the next generation with a sound financial base. Remarked one participant, “these sessions help us keep in mind rainy days that we least expect in life.”
Supporting Newly-arrived Members
Partnering with Nizari Credit Union, EPB offers auto loan programs for recent immigrants from Afghanistan, Iran, and Syria. “This is a critical pain point for Jamati members. "Having access to a car opens up the opportunities for them to expand the scope of their potential employment,” Shenila Babool remarks. She also added that it allows the family to become more involved in Jamati activities by bringing young children to ECD or REC programming, which can impact the family’s overall quality of life, and ensure long term sustainability in the US. During COVID, loan payments for borrowers have been deferred to lessen the financial impact on them.
No one has lived through these past few months without an economic, emotional, or health impact, and it is at times such as these that we truly appreciate the volunteers in the Jamat who provide assistance and support.
