For Nabil Islam, the regional c-ordinator for Islamic Relief Canada, the most important thing is giving back to the community. (Abby Cole/CBC)
As it gets colder in St. John’s, life gets harder for those facing homelessness, food insecurity and economic hardship.
That is why Islamic Relief Canada is assembling 450 kits to help people keep warm in St. John’s during the frigid winter months as part of their Winter Warmth Campaign.
Islamic Relief’s St. John’s chapter met up at Memorial University on Saturday to put together donations which included hygiene items like toothpaste and deodorant and warming items like hats, mitts and blankets.
The team packed up these items in backpacks and will distribute them with blankets to people in need with the help of other local charities including Stella’s Circle, the Gathering Place, Sakeenah Canada and Connections for Seniors.
Nabil Islam, Islamic Relief’s regional co-ordinator, said the group is making sure they have thick clothing items to help unhoused people stay warm outside in the cold weather.
“It’s always important to give back to the community, that’s the nature of our work, that’s the teachings of our religion,” said Islam.
Islamic Relief has been in St. John’s since February 2024, fundraising for international and local causes. (Abby Cole/CBC)
For Islam, the main goal is as simple as just helping people, and “to be able to show everybody that this is why we’re here.”
“Anywhere we work, we want to make sure that the community has a trust towards us. They understand what we stand for, our values, our mission, our vision,” he said.
Helping all over the world
Islamic Relief’s helping hand has a global reach.
“We’re operating in 50 countries and our work ranges from helping victims of natural disasters all the way to like you know, local shelters,” said Islam.
Islamic Relief started its St. John’s chapter in February this year, and they have been holding events to fundraise for various causes.
According to Islam, Islamic Relief worked to help people after the catastrophic flooding in Bangladesh in August 2024, and people in Turkey and Syria after the disastrous 2023 earthquakes.
“Wherever people need help, we’re there,” said Islam.
Locally, the team has had toy drives for children’s charities, has given away back-to-school supplies, and has given groceries to low-income families during Ramadan.
Last month, the St. John’s team raised around $13,000 for orphans globally as part of a national campaign.
They’ll be fundraising for more events in January, and during Ramadan, they’ll have their first official grand iftar, a party celebrating the end of the season, to continue rainsing funds for important global causes.
“We want to make sure that anybody who is in need of help, wherever we are present, wherever we have capacity, we’re there available to help them.”
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