Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un
“Surely we belong to God, and to Him we return” — Holy Qur’an, 2:156

“Life is a great and noble calling, not a mean and grovelling thing to be shuffled through as best as we can but a lofty and exalted destiny.” — Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III (1877-1957), 48th Ismaili Imam.

By MALIK MERCHANT

My attention to the news of the tragic death of several Ismaili youth volunteers was first drawn by a UK-based friend who sent me death announcements posted on Mustak Hasham’s website, Ismaili Death & Funeral Announcements. Mustak, a dedicated individual, began this service years ago through his Facebook page, which was featured in Simerg HERE. He has since established a dedicated website which posts death, mafi (forgiveness), samar and zyarat (special prayers for the deceased) announcements that he is made aware of from around the world.

Seeking to learn more about the tragedy, I came across an ABC News report from the Associated Press (AP) that led me to the AP news website. The report includes a photograph (see below) of the funeral procession, where Ismaili volunteers in their uniforms are seen carrying the caskets of the deceased through a vast crowd, united in grief, with Ismaili volunteers lining the funeral route.

Story continues below after photo and video

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WATCH DAWN NEWS REPORT VIDEO (in Urdu)

A further inquiry into the tragedy and details of individuals who died led me to a Reddit post by Khalid Ansari, a graduate of the Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities (GPISH 24) at the Institute of the Ismaili Studies, London. Originally a resident of Danyore and of Hunzai descent, he currently lives in London. Khalid, along with a group of friends, has united in the face of this tragedy to create a GoFundMe page, Support Families of Ismaili Volunteers Who Lost Their Lives. I am posting their full announcement — with minor reformatting for clarity — which reads as follows:

ANNOUNCEMENT BY KHALID ANSARI AND FRIENDS

On August 11 2025, tragedy struck in Danyore, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Eight dedicated Ismaili volunteers were working selflessly to restore a vital water channel for their community when disaster claimed their lives.

We remember and honor:

1. Adam Ali — Student, full of potential and dreams for the future;
2. Afaq Alam — Student, passionate about serving his community;
3. Azur Khan — Father to 5 daughters, the sole provider for his family;
4. Naik Alam — Father to 2 children, working tirelessly to support them;
5. Azhar-ud-din — Newly married just two months ago, with a life ahead of him;
6. Dildar Hussain — Father to 4 children, devoted to both family and service;
7. Piyar Ali — Married, with no children, always ready to volunteer when needed; and
8. Abdul Karim — Married, with three children; he is missing in the photo above.

They were not just volunteers; they were fathers, sons, brothers, the sole breadwinners of their families. In serving others, they made the ultimate sacrifice. Today, their loved ones face unimaginable grief and financial hardship. By coming together, we can ensure these families are not left alone in their struggle.

Your donations will go towards:

• Immediate financial support for the affected families
• Covering essential living costs such as food, shelter, and utilities
• Supporting children’s education and long-term needs
• Please note that the funds will be distributed to the families based on their specific needs and urgencies.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will be a lifeline. Your generosity will honour their service, preserve their dignity, and provide hope for the future. Please donate and share this campaign so that their sacrifice is never forgotten and their families are cared for in their time of need.

I am Khalid Ansari, a graduate of the Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities (GPISH 24) at the Institute of the Ismaili Studies, London. I am a resident of Danyore by origin, of Hunzai descent, and currently living in London. My social media accounts are linked to my profile. This fundraiser is initiated by a close group of friends, mainly Aga Khan Higher Secondary School Gilgit graduates living abroad, to support the families of the deceased.

For those donors who want to donate from within Pakistan you can do so on the account below:

Bank: Habib Bank Limited;
Acc name: BAALAJ
PK34HABB0008967901262103

If you need additional context or clarification, you can reach out to me via WhatsApp at +44 7751 559195. You can also reach out to the co-organizer, Adnan Karim at +44 7735 110702, Hassan Ali Shah at +44 7435 930559, Nadir Abbas at +44 7736 662233 and Mir Balaj at +44 7450 874130.

~~~~~~ END OF ANNOUNCEMENT ~~~~~~

As we express our deep shock and sadness at this tragedy, we reflect on the quote of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah at the top of this post about the meaning of life — “a great and noble calling.” We pay our heartfelt respect and tribute to the eight individuals who, in the service of their community, demonstrated the highest form of nobility. We pray for the eternal peace and rest of their souls and that their families and friends find the courage and fortitude to face the loss of their beloved ones.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Ameen.

Submit your tributes and condolence messages

We invite readers to submit their condolences, memories and tributes to the eight Ismaili volunteers who met a tragic death repairing a drainage channel damaged by flash floods in Gilgit in Northern Pakistan. Please click LEAVE A COMMENT. If you encounter technical difficulties submitting your feedback, email your message to mmerchant@simerg.com, subject: Ismaili volunteers.

Date posted: August 17, 2025.

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