For such a small and remote town, Inuvik has sure taken the attention of the Toronto-based Muslim Welfare Centre.
Inuvik Mayor Jim McDonald, middle, speaks next to Rehan Muhammad, left, and Shahid Ahmad Khan of the Muslim Welfare Centre during an event held in support of the Arctic Food Bank Sunday, Aug. 6.
The organization funds the Midnight Sun MosqueSA国际影视传媒檚 Arctic Food Bank and flew up several members for a community celebration last week, in which the centre also gave out 100 school backpacks to children.
SA国际影视传媒淚 see the need here,SA国际影视传媒� said Shahid Ahmed Khan, executive director of the organization.
SA国际影视传媒淵ou can see the kids, when they saw this program, they were really excited. My main intention is to help the kids.SA国际影视传媒�
When people in Toronto ask him why the centre supports the community in Inuvik, Khan says the need is clear.
SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 the only reason we came here, to help the community,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
The centre helped open the Arctic Food Bank two years ago. It now has 550 people registered and gives out food to about 120 families every two weeks.
All that support doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 come free.
Khan said the centre spent about $120,000 on the food bank last year.
SA国际影视传媒淭he community needs that service here,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e ask our donors to help and ISA国际影视传媒檓 pretty sure weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to get this money.SA国际影视传媒�
Beyond the school backpack program, there are a number of other services Khan would like to bring to Inuvik, including a free medical clinic.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 going to try because I can see the need here for that,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
The event on Sunday brought more than 50 people together for an afternoon feast after prayers and opening statements.
A spirit of community service seemed to be in the air, as Aklavik nurse Darlene Douglass found herself volunteering to help out right after arriving in Inuvik for training.
She had met a member of the mosque in her taxi ride into town.
SA国际影视传媒淲e just started talking and he told me they had a mosque in this community and I said, 'Oh, letSA国际影视传媒檚 go see it,' before I even dropped off my suitcases,SA国际影视传媒� said Douglass.
She gushed about the positive contribution the Muslim community was making to the town.
SA国际影视传媒淪eeing how the Muslims incorporate themselves as an identified body here and a family presence in Inuvik and how they embrace everyoneSA国际影视传媒� I think itSA国际影视传媒檚 something thatSA国际影视传媒檚 really important and it shouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be understated, the value of that,SA国际影视传媒� said Douglass.
Khan thanked the community for its support in return.
SA国际影视传媒淚 really like this community,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
