Winnipeg Muslim community comes together to support those in need

Members of Winnipeg’s Muslim community gathered Sunday afternoon to prepare meals and collect donations aimed at helping people cope with the cold and food insecurity.

The event took place at a building operated by the Manitoba Islamic Association, where volunteers prepared food and gathered clothing and non-perishable items for people in need.

“Food brings people together,” said Azeddine Moustarzak, president of the Moroccan Association of Manitoba.

Donations from the event will be provided to the Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute and Main Street Project, while some non-perishable food items will be donated to Harvest Manitoba. Local restaurants and businesses also contributed to the initiative.

“Our main objective here is to help out, just do our part in Winnipeg to help out the people that are in need. It’s very cold right now, there a lot of people that are food insecure, a lot of people that are in shelters,” said Noris Zeid, second vice-chair of the Manitoba Islamic Association.

For Moustarzak, the event was also a way to give back to the community that welcomed him years ago.

“People did help me, so I am giving back. Whne people are coming here, they are confused, cold,” he said.

Organizers say the event brought together people from a wide range of Winnipeg communities and cultural organizations.

“Definitely it is a great opportunity for us to represent our culture and give back to the community,” said Abdul Baten, vice president of the Canada-Bangladesh Association of Manitoba.

Many youth volunteers took part in the event, helping in the kitchen and sorting donations. Abdo Eltassi, who began volunteering at the age of 10, says getting involved early can have a lasting impact.

“I feel like if you start at an early age you grow into it and it makes you a better person. You adapt into that situation. And it reallly makes you feel better about yourself as well,” said Eltassi, a volunteer with the Rahma Community and Youth Centre.

Organizers say this was the first time the Islamic Association hosted an event like this but hope to make it an annual effort in the years ahead.