Latest news with #ManitobaIslamicAssociation
CBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CBC
'Tremendous amount of community support' for Gaza families in Winnipeg for medical care
Social Sharing Two families from Gaza that moved to Manitoba for medical treatment were welcomed by the premier, the Manitoba Islamic Association and members of the local Palestinian community at an event in Winnipeg on Sunday. In January, provincial officials welcomed an 11-year-old boy who could not get the medical care he needed due to the Israel-Hamas war. Last month, a second child from Gaza arrived to access life-changing medical care in the province. Ruheen Aziz, vice-chair of the Manitoba Islamic Association's board, said Sunday's event at the association's Grand Mosque on Waverley Street was an official welcome party for the families now that they have settled in the city. "They are adjusting well to the Winnipeg community, the school system, the larger community as well. They're happy to be here," Aziz said. "I think that humanitarian aid, something like this where we're talking about children and their health, becomes top priority for everyone, not just people from Gaza or people from our community," she said. In conversation with CBC's Nadia Kidwai on the Weekend Morning Show on Sunday, Suha Jadallah, who came to Winnipeg with her 11-year-old son said he is doing well but is missing his family back home in Gaza. Nahar Nassar said the community has been very supportive of her family, including her mother and three boys, since they arrived in May. It's hard being away from home, she said, but she's hopeful her child gets the medical care he needs in Canada. Jadallah and Nassar spoke through translator Ramsey Zeid, president of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba. Aziz said the Islamic association is providing food, housing and funding support to the families, while community members are stepping up to help in any way they can — from taking the kids for ice cream to driving them to school and medical appointments. "There's been a tremendous amount of community support," Aziz said, while thanking the province, and Premier Wab Kinew specifically, for bringing the families to Manitoba. Kinew said the government helped to arrange the families' flights and provide health-care services for the children once they arrived. "I think the most important thing is you see these two young kids thriving and that's what we want for any child," he said. "These two kids are coming from a part of the world where basically the health-care system has collapsed. They each have serious health needs and they've been able to get them [met] here in Manitoba." Kinew told CBC News the province is working with medical experts in the province to bring in a third family. Manitoba Islamic Association board chair Hakim Ghulam said the association is hoping to bring in as many families as possible and hopes other provinces take Manitoba's lead. "We want to do as much as possible," he said. "At the end of the day, if you save one soul … it is as if you have saved the whole [of] humanity."
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Province holds formal event marking arrival of Gazan families
Premier Wab Kinew says Manitoba is taking early steps toward welcoming a third family from Gaza, as the province marked the arrival of two Gazan families earlier this year with a formal event hosted by the Manitoba Islamic Association. 'Right at the start of the process, but we've started the process of working with the medical experts who are volunteering their time here in Manitoba,' Kinew said. 'Now that we've done it a few times, there is effectively a pathway open.' The first family — a mother and her 11-year-old son — arrived in Winnipeg in January. The second, including a young boy, his two younger siblings, their mother, and grandmother, arrived in May. Since their arrival, both boys have undergone medical procedures and attended multiple appointments. Kinew said the arrivals came after a detailed process involving consultations to identify families in displaced from Gaza with medical needs that could be met by Manitoba's health-care system. He also noted there were 'serious' security screenings and paperwork to navigate international travel requirements. Ruheen Aziz, vice-chair of the Manitoba Islamic Association, said the goal is to continue expanding support to more families. 'These kids need a lot of treatment, a lot of medical care, along with the family,' Aziz said. 'They are medical concerns. They were identified with Doctors Without Borders in Eqypt. We know that the care they require is extensive. That's all I can share on that front. They are adjusting well to the Winnipeg community, the school system, the larger community as well. They're happy to be here.' The children range in age from nine to 12. Both families still have relatives — including husbands and children — left behind in Gaza and Egypt. Kinew acknowledged that the security situation has limited who can be brought over. 'Beyond that, it's not a provincial issue,' he said. 'There really is a limit to what a province can do.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Aziz called the support from Winnipeg's Islamic community 'very humbling.' The families have received an outpouring of donations, including clothes, food, and gifts. Community members have also helped with transportation and translation. During the event, MIA chair Hakim Ghulam and Sheikh Ismael Mukhtar welcomed the families and urged political leaders to take a principled approach to the conflict in the Middle East. 'Do not be pro-Palestinian, do not be pro-Israel, don't be pro-Jews, do not be pro-Muslims,' he said. 'Stand for justice, stand for peace, stand for fairness. Perhaps this is a small step, and perhaps we can do more.' Added Ghulam: 'We need to stand up at this time and become the voice of the voiceless people. And we need to stand up and help to alleviate the suffering that is going on.' Scott BilleckReporter Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade's worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. Read more about Scott. Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Global News
10-05-2025
- Health
- Global News
Manitoba premier welcomes second child from Gaza in need of health care
For the second time this year, the Manitoba government has welcomed a child from the Gaza Strip in need of health care. Premier Wab Kinew says the kindergarten-aged boy and some family members made their way to Egypt and were flown to Winnipeg after being screened by international non-profit workers and the federal government. Kinew cites health privacy laws for not disclosing the child's condition, but says the boy needs medical care that is not available in his home region. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The arrival follows that of an 11-year-old Palestinian boy from Gaza via Egypt in January, who also needed health care. Kinew says in both cases, the Manitoba Islamic Association and other community groups have fundraised to provide housing, food and other necessities. Since the Israel-Hamas war started in October 2023, children have been sent from Gaza to Qatar, North America and various European countries for medical care. Story continues below advertisement 'Manitobans have a helping heart and when we can help kids, I think that's something we can all rally around,' Kinew told reporters Friday, hours after the family landed at Winnipeg's airport. The boy arrived alongside his mother, grandmother and two younger siblings, Kinew said, and the treatment he requires can be handled by the capacity in the province's health system. The first boy who arrived in January is doing well, the premier said. 'The child is in school, the child has made friends … and they've had their medical appointments with physicians who, while respecting their confidentiality, are telling us they're on a good path health-wise,' said Kinew.
Winnipeg Free Press
10-05-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Kinew welcomes young boy from Gaza needing life-changing medical care
Manitoba welcomed a Palestinian child Friday whose family fled from the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and is in need of 'life-changing medical care.' Premier Wab Kinew greeted the kindergarten-age boy, his mother, grandmother and two younger siblings at the airport Friday. An 11-year-old Gazan boy in need of treatment for a genetic condition arrived with his mother in January. Rachael King photo At the airport on Friday, Premier Wab Kinew welcomed a family from Gaza. The oldest of the children (left) will be receiving life-changing medical care. 'This is part of the humanitarian corridor that we've opened,' Kinew said at a news conference late Friday. 'So many Manitobans have been moved by what's happening (in the war-torn region) and looking for an outlet for those feelings, for that emotion, and now we have it in the form of two young children who are now in our province to receive medical care.' Before arriving in Winnipeg, both children had been in Egypt after fleeing Gaza. The premier said they are receiving treatment in areas where the health system has capacity. Their cases were flagged by the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders. The children and family members arrived after passing lengthy security screening processes by federal immigration authorities. 'This is something that is made possible by the community stepping up,' said Kinew, who can't identify the children or their health conditions under the Personal Health Information Act. He said the Manitoba Islamic Association and community organizations have raised funds and volunteered to make sure the housing, food and basic needs of the families are met. 'The first child who arrived from Gaza has had a number of appointments and has received surgery here in our province and is doing well,' Kinew said, adding the child is attending school. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'Manitobans can feel very good about this initiative. It's made a difference in the health of a young person coming from a region that's in conflict, and that child is adjusting to life alongside other Manitoba kids — learning the language, learning at school and thinking about what they want to be when they grow up. And to me that's a very, very positive story for us to tell.' The arrival of the boy Friday has taken much longer than expected, he said. 'I was surprised of the amount of legwork required, but it's important,' Kinew said. 'There has to be security checks, there has to be vetting, there has to be that match with our health-care system. 'The main thing is that we're doing something as Manitobans to be able to help in an area where everyone recognizes there is a need. ' Carol SandersLegislature reporter Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol. Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Hamilton Spectator
09-05-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Manitoba premier welcomes second child from Gaza in need of health care
WINNIPEG - For the second time this year, the Manitoba government has welcomed a child from the Gaza Strip in need of health care. Premier Wab Kinew says the kindergarten-aged boy and some family members made their way to Egypt and were flown to Winnipeg after being screened by international non-profit workers and the federal government. Kinew cites health privacy laws for not disclosing the child's condition, but says the boy needs medical care that is not available in his home region. The arrival follows that of an 11-year-old Palestinian boy from Gaza via Egypt in January, who also needed health care. Kinew says in both cases, the Manitoba Islamic Association and other community groups have fundraised to provide housing, food and other necessities. Since the Israel-Hamas war started in October 2023, children have been sent from Gaza to Qatar, North America and various European countries for medical care. 'Manitobans have a helping heart and when we can help kids, I think that's something we can all rally around,' Kinew told reporters Friday, hours after the family landed at Winnipeg's airport. The boy arrived alongside his mother, grandmother and two younger siblings, Kinew said, and the treatment he requires can be handled by the capacity in the province's health system. The first boy who arrived in January is doing well, the premier said. 'The child is in school, the child has made friends ... and they've had their medical appointments with physicians who, while respecting their confidentiality, are telling us they're on a good path health-wise,' said Kinew. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2025.
