Aaida Rajabali recently spoke with Mayor Nenshi on behalf of TheIsmaili.org to learn about his first few months in the office. The mayor discussed his views on pluralism in civil society, community-building, and his vision for women, youth and the Ismaili community.
Aaida Rajabali (TheIsmaili): The last few months have been quite exciting for you. Can you recall a particular challenge, situation, moment, or achievement that stands out in your mind?
Mayor Nenshi: There are a lot of them. Traditionally, the mayor gets to choose the person who swears him in, as well as the religious figure that does the invocation or the prayer. We made the prayer very multi-faith. I invited a leader from the Ismaili Muslim community, a leader from the Jewish community, and a leader from the Christian community. For my actual swearing in, I asked my sister to do it on behalf of my family, the Ismaili community and really all immigrant families in Calgary. That was a very, very special night.
via The Ismaili: Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi on community building and the pursuit of passions.
Ismailimail 
The most important point Mayor Nenshi made for the community, is this:
“One of the best things about the Ismaili community is our incredible focus on volunteerism. But we also have to ensure that we don’t focus so much on volunteerism within our community that we run the risk of becoming insular. We need to actually be models for our neighbours and for the rest of society on how well volunteerism can work.
That means that we need to value members of our community who choose to devote a portion of their community service outside our community, to help their neighbours with their lives.”
Cannot agree more!
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