Muslim Aid of Saskatchewan Reaches Out to the Needy
By Muhammad Azam
Sep/Oct 2024
The Muslim Aid of Saskatchewan (MAS), located in the capital city of Regina, is a community-based organization committed to offering support with food and a capacity-building program to those in need.
“Serving the Community With Excellence” was one of the many guiding principles that brought MAS to light in November 2021. With the support of locals, physicians and academics, it was officially registered as a nonprofit in Saskatchewan in January 2022. Volunteers are its essence and soul, for they run all its programs and activities.
Community members engage their peers in its initiatives in part through the continuous recruitment of new volunteers through their X and Instagram pages by extending invitations to forthcoming food drives. The diverse hard-working team — 100+ Muslim volunteers at all school levels — is helping reduce food insecurity in the city’s downtown region. It also collaborates with Carmichael Outreach, Islamic Relief Canada, the Muslim Student Association of the University of Regina and other well-known programs.
Weekly and Monthly Food Programs
Among its programs, MAS offers the Weekly Food distribution, the Monthly Food Hamper drive, the Shifaa program and Winter Kits. The Weekly Food distribution, which takes place every Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in downtown Regina at the Darul Falah Islamic Centre, offers prepared lunch kits containing sandwiches, juice and fruit. Thanks to the volunteers and community donors, MAS has delivered 8,000+ meals so far.
The Monthly Food Hamper drive, held on consecutive Saturdays, provides hampers of eggs, oil, pasta, flour, tomatoes, meat and other food items to low-income students, individuals and families. Started in November 2022, this critical program now supports about 100 recipients, offers essential sustenance and supports families living below the poverty line.
The Shifaa program, inspired by the Arabic term shifaa (healing, cure and recovery), consists of mental health practitioners and professional counseling associates in psychology and social work. Working alongside the Canada-wide Muslim Food Bank, it offers mental health services related to addiction, migration and racial trauma, as well as surviving domestic abuse and violence. The involved professionals seek to fill a gap in existing counseling programs.
When the city is experiencing harsh winter weather, volunteers distribute Winter Kits that include pillows and sleeping bags, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, socks and underwear, gloves and hand warmers. These items not only provide warmth, but also promote health and well-being, offering dignity and support to those facing challenging conditions.
MAS’ weekly and monthly programs have had a significant impact. Their monthly food hampers are carefully curated to include most necessary groceries. They take into account the feedback they receive and feel that the encouraging words are what keeps them going. In the heart of our community, Saturdays radiate with compassion as dedicated volunteers convene for the MAS weekly food distribution. In the bustling streets of Downtown Regina, volunteers didn’t just distribute meals; they shared moments of solace and nourishment, igniting hope in every heart they touched. They extend their heartfelt appreciation to Knox-Metropolitan United Church for graciously opening their kitchen doors and to Darul Falah Islamic Centre for serving as a steadfast distribution hub. Their unwavering support fuels their mission to spread kindness and alleviate hunger. In the sacred month of Ramadan, they felt the warmth of community spirit growing stronger as it’s a time when generosity flourishes, and the bonds of solidarity deepen.
Volunteering in -50 Degrees
“When the weather gets tough, our volunteers get tougher. If you’ve ever found yourself daydreaming about the prospect of encountering superheroes in reality, I invite you to look at our volunteers,” said one of the organizers. “As the temperature dropped almost to -50°C [-58° F], the dedication of our MAS heroes increased to 100 percent. Alhamdulillah, MAS’ dedicated volunteers showed up in downtown Regina despite the extreme cold warning to warm hearts and fill bellies.”
In essence, MAS is a beacon of community support and solidarity in Regina. With each act of kindness and assistance, volunteers not only address immediate challenges, but also foster a sense of dignity and resilience among those individuals it helps. Through joint efforts and unwavering dedication, this team embodies the spirit of compassion and is enriching the lives of countless individuals across Saskatchewan.
Muhammad Azam is assistant director at the Kumon Math and Reading Learning Centre.
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