Ismaili volunteers spread compassion during Ramadan, serve 1,200 meals in Hyderabad and Secunderabad | Hyderabad News

HYDERABAD: In a heartfelt display of generosity during Ramadan, Ismaili CIVIC organised a Ramadan Food Service Day over the weekend, distributing 1,200 food packets across Hyderabad and Secunderabad. This marks the fourth such initiative in the city.
The food distribution took place at three locations including Home for the Disabled, Jira, Devnar School for the Blind, Begumpet and Niloufer Hospital, Nampally.

Throughout Saturday and Sunday, Ismaili CIVIC volunteers—including children as young as six—actively participated in packing and distributing meals to those in need.
The initiative was jointly organised by Ismaili CIVIC India, an outreach effort of the Ismaili Muslim Community, in association with the Aga Khan Social Welfare Board and The United Bakers Cooperative Society Limited.
A key highlight of the initiative was the preparation of fresh pulav by Ismaili Muslim women who had previously undergone professional culinary training as beneficiaries of the Aga Khan Social Welfare Board. These women, who have since become financially independent entrepreneurs, contributed their time and skills to prepare the meals. The food packets also included snacks from UBCL, which also facilitated logistics support.

Amin Ladha, president of the Ismaili Council for Southern India, emphasised the deeper impact of such efforts: “Ramadan calls upon us to reflect on those less fortunate and to extend generosity. The women who cooked over a thousand meals today were once recipients of community support. Now, they have built businesses of their own and are giving back by serving others. This initiative is a testament to how a community can uplift itself and, in turn, support others in need.”
The event reinforced Ismaili CIVIC’s broader mission of civic engagement. Shameer Malani, president of the Ismaili Council for Hyderabad, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to social welfare beyond Ramadan: “Our efforts extend throughout the year, with initiatives such as health check-up camps, blood donation drives, and environmental programs. Even the smallest step can create a ripple effect of positive change.”
Since its global expansion in 2021, Ismaili CIVIC has significantly contributed to areas such as health, education, economic development, and environmental sustainability.
Iqbal Mandani, president of the Ismaili Council for Secunderabad, shared the impact of the organization’s recent efforts: “In 2024 alone, Ismaili CIVIC India collected over 3,000 pints of blood, gathered 250 kilograms of waste through clean-up drives, and planted over 400 trees. In Kompally, we also conducted a free medical camp for 550 construction workers, providing essential medicines to those in need.”