Toronto’s Muslim Welfare Centre

Standing in front of the Muslim Welfare Centre’s sprawling complex–out of which a food bank, medical centre, and Head Office operate–it’s quite hard to believe that the centre was once a 10×10 foot space.

“It started as a small room out of which [the founders] were giving out food,” says Mr. Shahid Khan, Executive Director of the centre and son-in-law of its founders, Major Muhammad Abbas Ali (1921-2009) and his wife Sarwar Jahan Begum (1928-2013). The couple emigrated from Pakistan to Canada in the late eighties and immediately joined the civic community; Major Abbas participated in sky dives and charity walks (“Toronto to Ottawa” and “Toronto to Niagara Falls”) to fund hospitals and seniors’ homes, and then, in 1993, with the help of a loan from a friend, he and Ms. Begum established a halal food bank catering to any person in need. This same food bank later flourished into the Muslim Welfare Centre.

Although its food services are its busiest operations, the Centre also runs two doctor’s offices located in Scarborough and Mississauga. The clinics serve the uninsured: refugees without papers, new immigrants, visitors, and international students. In fact, Ontario is one of three provinces for which there is a 3-month waiting period for OHIP coverage (BC and Quebec being the other two). Patients book appointments in advance to access the 25+ licensed physicians rotating through the clinic, “all of whom are volunteering their services,” Khan remarks. Doctors treat patients, procure lab services for them, triage with specialists, and write prescriptions. While the Mississauga location operates out of a presently owned family physician’s clinic, the Scarborough location is a fully functional stand-alone office supported entirely by funds and donated equipment.

Offering medical care was a natural progression of the wholesome service the centre aimed to provide to the needy, but its most widely serviced operations are food-related–and with good cause. A 2015 Canadian Medical Association Journal study discovered that food insecurity takes a “significant toll” on the health care system. Individuals living in severely food-insecure households, with restricted access to food and irregular meal times experience a drastic 121 per cent increase in healthcare costs. These costs are linked to low-quality foods and reduced access to food in general, resulting in chronic health conditions like diabetes and blood pressure from a younger age, which strains the health care system. By providing the needy with nourishing food items instead, the Centre is taking a preventative approach to health care. Presently, the Centre operates three food banks: two in Scarborough and Mississauga, with a separate branch located in Inuvik, NWT. When asked about the Inuvik location, Khan admits, “It’s costly…but we have to help. Some of the highest food prices are up North.”

“By providing the needy with nourishing food items instead, the Centre is taking a preventative approach to health care.”

Not even 25 years old and already a flourishing charity, the Muslim Welfare Centre has attracted sports stars and politicians who volunteer their time. A notable attraction was the recent visit by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in June 2017 to assist with the yearly “Project Ramadan” drive; together with volunteers, Prime Minister Trudeau helped pack enough food and essentials to support impoverished families for a month. This visit will always be fondly remembered by Khan because it was completely unsolicited on the Centre’s part–the Prime Minister’s office contacted the Centre first. “The line of people there that day stretched all the way down the back,” Khan says, eyes twinkling. “We wouldn’t have thought this would happen. This was our first visit from a prime minister, and a great achievement because the Centre started not long ago.”

However, it wasn’t always filmed visits and dedicated volunteers. Major Abbas and Ms. Begum faced resistance when they first began the centre, especially since they soon followed it by opening an emergency motel for women and children. “People used to tell them, ‘Why are you doing this work? Canada isn’t a third-world country.’ But [the founders] saw the high unemployment rates and the need in the community for these kinds of services. There were girls who needed help. We sometimes picked them up right from the airport because they had no one.”

“But [the founders] saw the high unemployment rates and the need in the community for these kinds of services.”

When asked how young adults and the public can help, “Volunteering! Volunteers are always welcome,” chuckles Khan. With over 20 programs running annually and plans to expand further, there is room for more helping hands. The Centre is also entirely supported by donations, which is why it takes transparency seriously and makes its tax audits public in its annual reports. “Honesty is extremely important when running a charity. People want to know where their money is going.”

So, what’s next for the Centre? While a calm personality, Khan exudes focus and ambition. He plans to expand the food bank into Ottawa and to open up a seniors’ home in the near future. “The work is costly, but we have to help. We never turn anyone away from the Centre. Our work isn’t just for Muslims–it’s for everyone.”

Here are some of the Muslim Welfare Centre’s most popular services:

  • Food Banks: 12,000 families (Scarborough, Mississauga, Northwest Territories) provided with nonperishable food, meat, clothing, and essential household items.
  • Arctic Food Bank (NWT only): 1,200 people are provided with resources to improve food security.
  • Malvern Eats: Weekly lunch program, partnered with TAIBU Community Health Centre and others to provide 160 nutritious meals every week. (Sponsor a meal for $4).
  • Regent Meals: 350 lunches every Sunday in Regent Park, Toronto. (Sponsor a meal for $6).
  • Meals on Wheels for Seniors: 180 fresh and culturally-diverse meals delivered bi-weekly to seniors in Regent Park, Toronto. (Sponsor a meal for $5).
  • Meals on Wheels: 300 lunch bags distributed on Saturdays in Toronto and 200 on Sundays in Hamilton. (Sponsor a lunch bag for $3).
  • Public School Nutrition Program: Supporting nutritious breakfast for kids in 19 public schools.
  • Backpack: Provides students in need with backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies. (Sponsor for $20).
  • Project Ramadan: Distributing food banks to 10, 000 families in need containing essentials such as rice, flour, meat, pasta and sauces, oil, sugar, and salt (Sponsor at $50 a basket). Goal for 2017: $200,000 to help 4,000 families.
  • Syrian Refugee Kits: Provided 200 kits containing basic necessities, such as dishware, cleaning supplies, groceries, and bedding. (Sponsor at $500 a kit).
  • Emergency Motel: Safe haven since 1996 to over 12,500 women and children in need through a 45-bed functional facility, and access to social, medical and legal services.

The Centre is always looking for volunteers. To donate or learn more about the services offered and how to get involved, visit  http://www.muslimwelfarecentre.com/

By Hagr Saad and Aishah Cader 

Hagr Saad is a fourth-year student at the University of Toronto (St. George), pursuing a major in Mathematics and minors in English and Latin. Her interests range from art and graphic design to computer programming.
Aishah Cader is entering her fourth year at the University of Toronto where she is pursuing a double major in English and general Life Sciences, with an additional focus on Population Health Sciences. After graduating, her long-term goal is to make health information easily understandable by implementing information design principles in public health communication and outreach systems.
This article is an “Equity in the City” feature, a Health & Science event that sheds light on health centres that cater to marginalized populations in the City of Toronto, Canada.

Please note that opinions expressed are the author’s own. They do not necessarily reflect the views and values of The Blank Page.