From the beaches of Katwijk in the Netherlands to the bustling streets of Mumbai, Dawoodi Bohra communities across the globe rolled up their sleeves this September to mark World Cleanup Day. Donned with gloves, high-viz jackets, and gunny bags, volunteers of all ages came together to clear litter from neighbourhoods, shorelines, and even forests in an effort to take care of their everyday spaces through collective action.
A Global Effort
Communities in Adelaide, Ajman, Auckland, Bahrain, Birmingham, Chicago, Dallas, Dublin, Houston, Härryda (Sweden), Katwijk aan Zee (Netherlands), Kelkheim (Germany), Kuwait, London, Malindi, Sharjah, Sydney, Toronto, Mombasa, Mumbai, and Réunion took part. In some places, teams fanned out across city parks and town centres, while in others, they focused on coastal cleanups, hauling away bags of plastic bottles, cans, and discarded fishing gear.
“Plastic and its legacy waste have suffocated our natural environment for far too long. World Cleanup Day serves as a vital reminder to pause and reflect before using plastic—or carelessly discarding it. We especially hope to instill this awareness in our children, so they grow up mindful of their choices and their impact on the planet,” said Mustansir Kanchwala, an organiser from the Netherlands.
Dr Murtaza Esmail of Birmingham shared, "It was great to get everyone out together and do something positive for our community and the wider neighbourhood. The best part was seeing how much of a difference we could make in just a few hours!"
From Homes to Habitats
For many participants, the cleanup was less about scale and more about staying true to a way of life.
“Keeping the home spick and span has been an integral part of my upbringing. If you ask community members around the globe, they will relate to their elders having a fixation for cleanliness in the home. This cleanliness drive is an extension of that upbringing,” said Arwa Lightwala from Adelaide.
In some places like Katwijk aan Zee, Netherlands, 5-year-old Daniyal Merchant embodied this philosophy in his own way. Alongside his mother, Ruqaiya, he turned a discarded plastic bottle into a birdhouse — a small but significant act that kept one more piece of waste out of the ocean while creating a home for local wildlife.
The campaign was carried out under the Dawoodi Bohras’ global Project Rise initiative, which addresses social and environmental challenges through awareness and outreach.
"Over the past seven years, Project Rise has partnered with various organisations and individuals around the world to raise awareness both within and beyond the community," said Qasim Muchala of Dublin.
World Cleanup Day may be marked once a year, but for Dawoodi Bohras, the spirit of service and care for the environment is integrated into daily life. What matters is not the size of the effort, but the intention behind it. By treating a park bench, a seashore, or even a single plastic bottle with care, volunteers act out a philosophy taught at home: that cleanliness and responsibility are forms of respect — for one’s community and for all creation.
From toddlers crafting birdhouses to elders filling bags with recyclables, each act adds up to a powerful statement: that caring for the planet begins at home, and even the most modest contribution can ripple outward for the good of all.
