A message from us at Ismailis Rise Up

Dear Ismailis Rise Up Community:

It is hard to imagine that we began our work nearly four months ago. While November 3rd marked a culmination of the hard work the IRU community has put in to turning out the Ismaili vote in this election, it also serves as a moment to reflect on why we began this journey in the first place.

We began this journey because our faith has taught us that showing up for others and showing up our communities is essentialIy rooted in our faith’s history of service and respect. It is embedded in our values of elevating human dignity. It is reflected in its work to center and uplift those who must navigate systems of oppression in these trying times. It is our faith that has driven us to remind our fellow Ismailis that their powerful voices must be heard — in this context, through participating in the democratic process and voting.

What our faith has also taught us is that we must leverage our power to advocate with and for others. This is why we have unequivocally maintained our commitment to progressive values — values that are not tied to a particular political ideology. These progressive values are tied to the recognition of systems of oppressions — such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and Islamophobia — and a commitment to taking substantive steps to dismantle said systems.

It is with this recognition that we have sought partnerships with community members and organizations that believe the same. Partnerships which also celebrate individuals, not despite who they love, but for who they love. That uplift humans across the gender, ability, and age spectrum. That believe in the liberation of all people. That are committed to mobilizing their community to fight for a better, a more just, and more equitable society.

This is why IRU was created. While nothing is ever perfect, we strive to be open, transparent and inclusive. It is with our community’s grace that we have learned, and will continue to learn, along the way.

With this reflection, we ask for your continued grace as we empower Ismailis across the United States to recognize their power and harness it with the vote. We can and will continue to rise up.

With love and appreciation,

Your IRU Family