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The Aga Khan Council for the Southwest United States hosted the Fort Bend Interfaith Community for its second annual Youth Day of Service Monday, Jan. 21, at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center in Sugar Land. Youth volunteers representing a variety of faiths including Christianity, Islamic and Jewish religious communities among others, gathered for community service activities.

Following the service projects, youth volunteers participate in group interfaith discussions facilitated by Dr. Zahra Jamal from Boniuk Institute at Rice University. The event was well-attended and was a success, organizers said.

“Any time you have the ability to engage youth in a meaningful way and to see their faith in action through service, that is success, for the community and for the quality of life for generations to come,” said Alim Adatia, Communications representative for the Aga Khan Council. “Furthermore, and in addition to physical service, seeing youth take advantage of the opportunity to engage with youth from other congregations and have a discussion around the role of service highlights the importance of intellectual curiosity that more permanently ensures the improvement of our community through our collective efforts.”

Members of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community, through the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board and I-CERV (Ismaili Community Engaged in Responsible Volunteering), organized and hosted this year’s FBIC Interfaith MLK Youth Day of Service with assistance from a number of other area congregations. More than 100 students participated in community service projects such as making toys for the animal shelter, sack lunches, and organizing sock donations and letter to be sent the Veterans Administration hospital among other things. Volunteers from Houston Methodist also hosted a blood drive at the event. Guests and volunteers were also invited to guided tours of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center.

The mission of the Fort Bend Interfaith Community is to build meaningful relationships, rooted in trust, respect, and shared values, between members of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. Seeking to promote dialogue, understanding, and a sense of kinship, the Fort Bend Interfaith Community brings people together to worship, learn, and engage in good works.
This year marks the first time the Youth Day of Service was hosted by the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center in Sugar Land. In addition, members of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community, through the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board and I-CERV (Ismaili Community Engaged in Responsible Volunteering), assisted with organizing the event along with other member groups of the Fort Bend Interfaith Community.