By Bryan Eneas

Growing P.A. Muslim community gives back following Ramadan

Jun 18, 2018 | 2:15 PM

Prince Albert’s Muslim community came together in post-Eid celebrations to give back to the community.

Members of the city’s growing Islamic community made the rounds June 18, donating food and gift baskets to various organizations in order to help Prince Albert’s needy. The donations follow the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and its conclusion Eid, which was June 15.

“We fast [from sunrise to sunset] so we feel how the people who are in need, who don’t have food every day, how they feel,” Imam Irshad told paNOW during their donation tour Monday. “Muslims all around the world, they become more attracted to the mosques, they go more into worship, they give out more charity.” 

The Prince Albert Muslim community banded together and called for food donations during Ramadan. On June 18, a group stopped at the Prince Albert Food Bank, Fire Department, Police Service, and women’s shelter to distribute their donations. Irshad said Islam teaches its followers about unity, creating peace, and sharing love among everyone in the community, and the donations act as a physical representation of that unity.

“Our book, the Quran, teaches us that we should be kind to the community, and poor people are a part of our community, and they deserve exactly what we do,” Omar Alam Kahn said during the group’s stop at the food bank.

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Being visible in Prince Albert also gives the group an opportunity to educate the public about Islam and break through any misconceptions people may have about the religion. According to Muhammad Akhtar, who helped organize the donations, the Muslim community is growing, and members are more than happy to spend time sharing information about their religion with residents of Prince Albert.

Sumbul Alam, who helped hand out the gifts, said the Syrian refugees streaming into Prince Albert have helped the Islamic population grow as well.

“We are so happy for them, that they are here and safe,” she said. “We say a big thank you to the Canadian government for this favour.”

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas