IV Executive Team

Service to others is not only an Islamic tradition but one which is a common thread across many faiths and cultures, where the Golden Rule is a common cardinal virtue. Indeed, it was Aristotle, some 2,500 years ago, who asked, “What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.”

When the Ismaili Volunteers were formed over 100 years ago, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah said: “If you work for yourselves, you are never happy. This is not a new idea, but this is an outcome of the experience of thousands of years of history”.

IV Executive Committee
Nazneen Karimbhai - Council Member

To be shared.

Faisal Khowaja - Executive Director

I have had the privilege of serving the Jamat through IV for over two decades in a variety of roles, including Head of Technology, Deputy Executive Director, VC, and TL at The Ismaili Centre, London. Over the past two years, I have been part of the IV Executive Team, leading various portfolios to strengthen volunteer engagement and operational effectiveness.

Beyond IV, I have also contributed to several institutions and initiatives, including AKHB, AKEB, and the Performance Management Team.

In my current role as Exec Director, I am passionate about building a stronger, more connected, and forward-thinking IV that delivers meaningful impact and enhances the volunteer experience across our Jamat.

Professionally, I run an IT consultancy and property renovation business.

Fun fact: When I’m not working, you’ll most likely find me spending time with my family or enjoying a game of table tennis with my son.

Alishah Andani - Deputy Executive Director

I’ve been part of IV for as long as I can remember, and I was lucky enough to join the Exec Team in 2024, taking on the role of Admin and Resources. I’ve been so blessed to have had some incredible opportunities through IV, from being involved in the Aga Khan Music Awards to supporting various Didars, and I’m always grateful for the experiences, friendships and memories that come with seva.

Outside of seva and work, I love travelling, exploring new places and making the most of every opportunity to try something new. My ultimate bucket-list destination is New Zealand mainly so I can visit the Lord of the Rings filming sets!

Anisha Ladha - Deputy Executive Director

To be shared.

Nazma Karim Ali - Head of Events & Hospitality Operations

To be shared.

Sajad Sayani - Ex Officio Member

To be shared.

IV-Exec: Admin & Resources
Rida Karedia - Head of Admin & Resources

Being a people-focused individual has shaped both my personal and professional journey. Over the years, I have led Bait-ul-Ilm in Pakistan, managed Communications and Special Projects at ITREB Pakistan, and served as a Junior Volunteer at East London Jamatkhana for the past two years. I am also a founding member of the East London Youth Band. Professionally, I work in Human Resources, where I have developed a strong interest in supporting people, building effective systems, and creating positive organisational environments.

Shelina Vasaya - Head of Admin & Resources
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.
IV Communications, Trainings, & Operations
Iqbal Noormohamed - Head of Training & Development

To be shared.

Noor Esmail - Head of Strategy & Development

My role is Head of Strategy & Development, and I’m really looking forward to working with the IV team to collectively shape the pathway of voluntary service and inspire a love of service across our community.

Outside of IV, I’m an avid baker and love making sweet treats! No meeting with me is complete without something sweet to enjoy!

Naeema Kassam - Head of Communications & Operations

I have been involved with the IV for many years, holding various leadership roles including Head Cadet Mentor, Deputy Director and more recently Head of Uniform Logistics for UK and Europe. In addition to this role, I am excited to be leading the Communications Team this year.

Outside of volunteering, I am a teacher and I am passionate about mentoring, bringing people together and making a positive difference through service.

Eva Shanshoeva - Executive Committee Member

To be shared.

Farheen Rajwani - Executive Committe Member

I’m Farheen Rajwani, a law graduate with an LLM in Corporate and Commercial Law, and I’m passionate about using my skills and experience to make a positive difference in the community. I love being involved in community initiatives, working with people, and creating meaningful connections. My Ismaili Volunteer journey has been a huge part of my life, and I’ve been a uniformed volunteer since the age of four! Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to serve in different capacities, including working with the HR and VMS teams during Didar this year for both the UK and for Berlin.

Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, music, and spending quality time with my friends and family. A fun fact about me is that I love a good Bollywood song and will almost never say no to a concert🤭

Rimsha Khan - Executive Committee Member

I am Rimsha Khan from Glasgow. I enrolled in volunteers when I was six in “Blue Birds”

I was fortunate to serve as Deputy Director for Glasgow Jamatkhana, and currently serving as Executive Committee Member on the IV. I am grateful for the many experiences, friendships and opportunities that seva has brought into my life.

Outside of seva, I enjoy travelling, reading, writing poetry and making new friends.

For me, volunteering has always been more than just an activity, it’s a part of who I am. I have been a volunteer since I was young, and honestly, I can’t imagine myself being anything else 🫶

Shelina Jaffer - Executive Committee Member

To be shared.

IV Junior Volunteers & Youth Development
Zakee Banji - Head of JV & Youth

I started as a young Junior before serving as a Team Leader at the Ismaili Centre where my passion for working with the youth developed. Since then I have also worked with Comms and YSB and am privileged to lead the Junior & Youth Portfolio on the Exec Team.

Anusha Merchant - Executive Committee Member

Hi, I’m Anusha! I’ll be looking after our Junior Volunteers, focusing on developing their programmes, overcoming challenges, and engaging more young people by ensuring our Lieutenants are aligned and supported.

I’ve been involved in Aspire, Healthy Minds, served as a Junior Volunteers Lieutenant for two years, and taught at Baitul Ilm.

I’m excited to be joining the Executive Team for the first time and serving here !

Fun fact: During COVID, I ran my own podcast called “What’s Holding You Back?” 🎙️

Razia Velji - Executive Committee Member

To be shared.

IV Systems & Applications
Faizan Ali - Head of Systems & Applications

To be shared.

Kaamil Hussain Jasani - Executive Committee Member

To be shared.

IV-Exec: Events & Hospitality Operations
Nazma - Deputy Executive Director

To be shared.

IV Events Team
Narmina Kassam - Head of Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Centre Events

To be shared.

Javeed Ghaswala - Deputy Head of Ismaili Centre Events

To be shared.

Karim Kassam - Deputy Head of Ismaili Centre Events

To be shared.

Alli Ladha - Team Leader

I have been a volunteer for nearly 50 years now.

In the past I have been a Lieutenant (Team Lead) numerous times and a Vice Captain (Deputy Director) 3 times at Northwest JK which is my local khane.

More recently I have been a Jamati Support Officer (JSO) and for the past 4 years I have been the Lead for the Events Team at the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Centre (AKC).

I love being a volunteer and serving the Jamat as it gives me great satisfaction to help others.

Quick fact:I was blessed to be one of the volunteers who took Mowlana Shah Karim in the lift on the first day of his visit to London during the Diamond Jubilee Deedar.

Farhana Jaffer - Team Leader

To be shared.

Zayan Ladhani - Team Leader

To be shared.

Ismaili Center Services Team
Gulzar Abib - Head of Ismaili Center Services

To be shared.

Alykhan Merali - Deputy Head of Ismaili Center Services

To be shared.

Saleema Abiba - Deputy Head of Ismaili Center Services

To be shared.

Noor Meghji - IC Service Admin

To be shared.

Nabila Damani - Events Admin

To be shared.

Shamshu Bhanji - Head of Ismaili Center Services (Internal)

To be shared.

Hadi Lakhani - Deputy Head of Ismaili Center Services

To be shared.

Oshurbek Muborakaliev - Deputy Head of Ismaili Center Services (Internal)

To be shared.

Aga Khan Center Services Team
Tazmina Firoz Jiwani - Head of AKC Services

To be shared

Alyze Valliyani - AKC Services Admin

To be shared

IV Liaision
Dr Hassan Chagani - Head of IV Liaison

To be shared.

Rimsha Khan - Executive Committee Member

I am Rimsha Khan from Glasgow. I enrolled in volunteers when I was six in “Blue Birds”

I was fortunate to serve as Deputy Director for Glasgow Jamatkhana, and currently serving as Executive Committee Member on the IV. I am grateful for the many experiences, friendships and opportunities that seva has brought into my life.

Outside of seva, I enjoy travelling, reading, writing poetry and making new friends.

For me, volunteering has always been more than just an activity, it’s a part of who I am. I have been a volunteer since I was young, and honestly, I can’t imagine myself being anything else🫶

Salima Tharani - Executive Committee Member

To be shared.

Sohail Ratansi- Head of IV Europe

To be shared.

Sonika Himani - Executive Committee Member

I will be serving as the IV Liaison for the North. I’ve been part of the Ismaili Volunteers for over 15 years. By background I was a JSO for a few years before stepping down to become a IV director at my local jamatkhana. I am grateful to have been given an opportunity again to be part of IV exec team. Outside of work I love travelling and my favourite holiday destination is Switzerland. Fun fact: I recently started playing badminton and I’m loving upskilling week by week — hoping to take part in the next Jubilee Games!

 

IV Executive Committee (Europe)
Sohail Ratansi - Head of Europe

I’m the head of IV in Europe. The role involves looking after all European volunteers from the German and Swedish councils. The main project I will be running this year is the handover of IV to the European council with a structure they want and see fit to build upon.

Shaliza Merchant - Deputy Head of IV Europe

To be shared.

Zia Zaheer - Head of IV Germany

To be shared.

Qais Eqbal - Head of IV Sweden

To be shared.

Aleem Najak - Head of JV & Youth (Europe)

I have been a volunteer for as long as I can remember, and have also served as JVTL in Amsterdam Jamatkhana. Since 2025, I have been lucky enough to be part of the amazing IV Executive Team.

My goal is to inspire young volunteers, and equip them with the skills to become the future leaders of our communities. I focus on strengthening our youth through engagement and development programmes in IV. Furthermore, I support all JVTLs to help their volunteers be the best version of themselves!

I am currently studying Econometrics at Erasmus University Rotterdam. I also volunteer at UNICEF where I develop projects, and work as a student consultant. In my free time, I love to read and learn more about the world around me!

Manisha Jiwani - Executive Committee Member

To be shared.

Mishaal Amin - Executive Committee Member

To be shared.

Mohinazir Safarmamadzoda - Executive Committee Member

To be shared.

Rameez Abdulrasul - Executive Committee Member

To be shared.

Satar Shirzai - Executive Committee Member

To be shared.

Zahra Didarali - Executive Committee Member

To be shared.