MAKING A DIFFERENCE
A Sheroe’s Story Recognizing doers who are not in the spotlight BY BAHEEJAH FAREED
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ublic speakers and graduate degree holders are usually held in the highest esteem when it comes to recognizing doers. However, a lot can be learned from the lives of those who undertake selfless acts of kindness in social work. The everyday heroes/sheroes, good doers (volunteers and caregivers) who work tirelessly to meet our community members’ needs can inspire and motivate everyone to strive to improve themselves and make a difference. One such sheroe is Tamana Jiandani, whose dedication and love help our community survive and thrive. A leader in community case management, she organizes and runs the face-to-face operations for the Irving, Texas-based Jabalu-Nur Foundation’s (jabalunurfoundation.com) food program. A forerunner and member of several volunteer groups that serve the Irving community, she makes a difference via her involvement in ICNA Sisters (https://www. icnasisters.org/), the Islamic Center of Irving (irvingmasjid.org) and Valley Ranch Islamic Center (https://www.vric.org/). She is also a leader in fundraising, including for mosques worldwide. To top it all, she still manages to take care of her large family and work. Islamic Horizons was able to catch up with Tamana and ask her about her life. IH. What were your dreams as a child? Tamana: As a child, I always dreamt of becoming a lawyer ... of wanting to fight for [those] who couldn’t fight for themselves. Becoming a lawyer didn’t happen, [and so I went] into social work. This has allowed me to help the people in a different and better way than I could have as a lawyer. IH. What were your parents/guardians’ dreams for you? TJ: My parents always wanted me to grow up and be happy. They didn’t care what I did, as long as what I accomplished in life made me happy. IH. What was a day in your life like growing up? TJ: I didn’t have the best life ... I would wake up pretty early and get myself ready to
go to school, since my parents would wake up even earlier to go to work. After school was over, I would take the [New York City] subway and work with my parents at their restaurant. … During high school, I would wake up earlier and work at my parent’s restaurant until the start of school. I am
I FIND MYSELF MOST AT PEACE WHILE WORKING … AND HELPING OTHER PEOPLE. … I FEEL PRODUCTIVE WHEN I’M OUT OF BED AND MOVING. IF I’M NOT MOVING AND NOT GETTING THINGS DONE, I FEEL LAZY AND KNOW THAT I DIDN’T ACCOMPLISH ALL I WANTED TO ACCOMPLISH FOR THAT DAY.”
50 ISLAMIC HORIZONS MAY/JUNE 2021
grateful for the childhood I received ... [it] taught me to appreciate every single thing that I earn as I worked hard for it, [that I] shouldn’t waste it and be ungrateful. IH. Who and what were your driving influences as a child to help you to make your life’s most impactful decisions? TJ: [That person] would probably have to be my mom. She was there from the beginning. I lost my dad, who I was closer to at the age of 12, and after that my mom was my rock. She was the person I ran to when in trouble and the person who helped me stand on my own two feet today. Without my mom, I don’t know where I would have ended up ... IH. What is your vision and mission for your life and your family? TJ: [For] them to be happy and healthy. I want them to be someone who they respect and for them to have some type of positive impact on the world, big or small. IH. How and what do you and your family do to make this vision reality? TJ: [By] just living life. We know that everything happens for a reason, and [so] we don’t let it [impact us] too much. We cherish [and learn and grow from] both good and bad. IH. What would you (or your family members) say to someone looking for direction on how to do more and better with their lives? TJ: I would tell them to find something that makes them happy, that is good for them and the world, … to find their purpose and make someone’s day so they can be accomplished and feel better [about] their lives. IH. What would you tell parents seeking direction in acquiring resources to positively impact their children? TJ: [To] throw out all the negativity in their lives … [because] it will have the same negative impact on their families and children. I would also let them know that … people … can help you [acquire] anything you may need for you[rself] or your families. IH. If you could make a formula for raising oneself or children to be the best they can be, what would be in the formula? TJ: [As] everyone has a different way of raising children ... there isn’t a simple routine ... Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has flaws. We should all learn from those mistakes when raising children and try our best to adapt. IH. When was the most impactful time of your life and why?
