Message from the President

Dear friends,

I greet you with the salutations of peace, assalamu alaikum and Ramadan Kareem!
I hope and pray that this letter finds you and your family in good health as we enter into the
second Ramadan since the COVID-19 global pandemic began. COVID-19 is not over yet, but we
have high hopes for a brighter future.

The past year has brought about many challenges and changes in our lives, and we have all had to
adapt. When COVID-19 first struck, we immediately took action, understanding that now more
than ever, Canada’s most vulnerable needed our help. We didn’t falter in our long-standing
commitment to the needy. Instead we continued our work, making the necessary changes to
adjust to the new situation – in order to keep our staff, volunteers and beneficiaries safe.

As an organization that focuses on people and helping others, we have had to make changes to
the way we worked, while still working towards that goal. The MWC team was able to do their
part to help vulnerable Canadians during these unprecedented times. We could not have done it
without your support, and we thank you for all your contributions over the past year.

With your help and donations, we were able to continue our programs. Our food banks operated
in Scarborough, Mississauga, Inuvik and Iqaluit in the Arctic. We operated meal services – focusing
mainly on deliveries this year – for our seniors and our frontline workers, as well as school nutrition
programs for our vulnerable children. We provided healthcare to the uninsured and shelter to the
homeless. While we have fought hard, and helped thousands of Canadians on your behalf every
single day of the year since 1993, we have not forgotten to help the suffering humanity around the
world. All of this is possible because of your ongoing support.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you about one of our very popular projects that
has taken place every year for the last 12 Ramadans – Project Ramadan. Starting in early April and
continuing throughout the month of Ramadan, our young volunteers will begin packaging food
baskets for distribution to over 6000 needy families in and around the GTA and through our Arctic
Food banks. For a donation of $60 you can help provide nutritious staple food to a family for 3-4
weeks.

We thank you for your support – and we hope that you continue to do so. As we have learned this
past year, the future is unpredictable. What we do know for certain is that our neighbours need
you now more than ever and until we are completely out of this pandemic, they will continue to
need you. This Ramadan, as you prepare to donate your Zakat, Sadaqa, fitra and fidya we ask that
you kindly consider donating to Muslim Welfare Canada’s COVID-19 Emergency Food Fund.

If you would like to read more about our milestone moments, and the number of people we’ve
helped in the past year – please read through the mini-2020 MWC Report we’ve included.

I want to close with extending my sincere thanks to our volunteers and staff for their drive,
dedication, passion and expertise. I would also like to thank the Board for their constant support
and dedication. And of course – you, our donors. We would not be able to help the thousands we
do, without you.

Duas,

Naushaba Ali
President, MWC