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CBC
15 hours ago
- CBC
Play taking stage in Hamilton based on stories of real and 'tragic' impact of Islamophobia in Ontario
A local Muslim organization is aiming to help people "understand the impact of hate," while highlighting the case of the killing of a Muslim family in London, Ont., four years ago. Mishka Social Services, a group that supports Muslim newcomers in Hamilton, is hosting a free theatre event on Friday at the Zoetic Theatre exploring the consequences of Islamophobia. The event will include a panel discussion, a play and music. "I feel like this gives an alternative that's less tense, less confrontational, less controversial, really, to come together and show that we stand against hate in all forms," said Mishka's executive director, Omar Mahamed. Sofi Asali was in charge of writing and directing the play, which she called Our London Family. "I think my biggest hope for the play is that people walk away seeing more in common with the Muslim characters than different," she told CBC Hamilton. Our London Family is described by Asali as a piece of fiction inspired by what happened to members of the Afzaal family. Yumnah Afzaal, 15, her parents Madiha Salman, 44, and Salman Afzaal, 46, and grandmother Talat Afzaal, 74, were intentionally struck and killed while out on an evening stroll on June 6, 2021 in London. A young boy who was seriously injured was the sole survivor. The man who killed them is serving a life sentence after he was convicted of terrorism, four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder during a trial in Windsor, Ont., in 2023. "The goal [of the play] was to create a sense of a living memorial through people," said Asali. Mahamed said the event will also be a good opportunity to think about Islamophobia in Hamilton. He said tensions have been heightened in the community and bled into his work, he said, where he recently had to deal with the case of a family that was targeted in Hamilton, a first for him. Hamilton has a Muslim population of around 38,000, according to the 2021 census. Mahamed added that the Muslim community has been feeling "worried," "scared," and "a bit threatened," as a result of Israel's ongoing bombing of Gaza. The Jewish community has had some similar experiences, he said, and both communities have seen increased security in synagogues and Mosques in Hamilton as preventative measures. For him, the Friday event will be a "good way to let people know we're here." A play about trauma and healing Asali is from South Carolina but is currently based in Toronto. As a University of Toronto cinema studies graduate, her work has largely looked at mental health in diverse communities with a focus on the intersection of culture, religion and health. As a second-generation Syrian American, she said she saw a lot of herself while working on the play. Asali said despite not being Muslim, she has experienced Islamophobia. "The thing about hate is that it usually comes from a place of paranoia and not education, and so I felt like I could really empathize with what I was going to write," said Asali. The play is told from the perspective of the surviving family member, at an older age, and explores "how to remain present in times of pain," she said. Mahamed said he expects the audience will feel deep empathy for the main character and get a close-up look at how traumatic these experiences can be, but also at how healing can begin. "It's shining a positive light on a dark, tragic topic," he said. Asali said there was great care put into "balancing fact and fiction." "It's about the emotional truth of what happened while maintaining like the privacy and wishes of like real family," she said. The play cast around 15 people between the ages of 13 and 30 with a diverse range of experience. Raising awareness a different way Before the play, four speakers will take the stage for a panel discussion looking at the impact of Islamophobia on individuals and families. The panel will include various Muslim leaders and advocates, including Mohammed Baobaid, executive director at the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration in London, and Shahina Siddiqui, executive director of the Islamic Social Services Association. The event was funded by the Canada Race Relations Foundation, said Mahamed, so he felt like it would be in "bad taste" to charge people who want to attend. He said the event is aimed at anyone who wants to attend and is hoping for a diverse audience with a mix of Muslims and others. Mahamed said the event could be a good opportunity for people to engage with the topic of Islamophobia, in a different way than attending a protest or a march. "We're looking to raise awareness of how harmful discrimination, hate and violence can be. And for people to also recognize that we could raise awareness in different mediums," he said.
CBC
10-03-2025
- General
- CBC
Hamilton charity gives boxes of food to hundreds of families for Ramadan
The month of Ramadan might get a little easier for hundreds of local families who received food donations from a Hamilton charity this weekend. Mishka Social Services, which focuses on supporting the Muslim community, partnered with non-profit Muslim Hands Canada and Mountain grocery store Eastern Food Market to distribute boxes to families in need on Saturday and Sunday. They estimated they served around 600 families. "These food hampers give families a sense of dignity and support during a time when expenses are high and resources are limited," Marwa Farghaly, an executive assistant with Mishka said. "Food is a basic human right and together, we can make sure that no one in our community goes hungry, especially at this time of year," Farghaly said. For many Muslims, Ramadan is a time of charity, but for those struggling to make ends meet, things might feel "even harder," said Maryam Qader, Mishka's volunteer engagement coordinator. Mishka provides regular food aid throughout the year, though it's never given to so many people at once. "The need is there," Qader said. The organization offers a guarantee that food will be culturally appropriate. For example, Qader said, it makes sure meat is halal. Food hampers packed this weekend included lentils, rice, canned tomatoes, sugar, salt, oils and spices. Starting around 7 a.m. on Saturday, volunteers met at the Hamilton Downtown Mosque, where they unloaded a truck-full of supplies. Working like an assembly line, people set up boxes and filled them to go. Qader said about 30 to 40 community members volunteered in response to a call out. "It's been very exciting," she said, adding the mosque's community hall became "very noisy" as people got to know one another throughout the day. Families who picked up food boxes showed "a lot of excitement," she said, adding the hope is they can make a few meals with what they received. Newcomers and immigrants often arrive with few resources then they have to deal with the pressures of finding work and housing in an unfamiliar place, Farghaly said. "I have seen first-hand how difficult it is." Local food providers have told CBC Hamilton food bank use is widening and more people are accessing them for the first time. Anecdotally, Farghaly said she's seen the number of people requesting help from Mishka increase in the year she's worked there. With that in mind, she said she's "feeling great" about what Mishka was able to achieve this weekend. "Thank you to everyone who has contributed," she said. WATCH | How Muslim communities across the GTA are marking Ramadan: How Muslim communities across the GTA are marking Ramadan 9 days ago Duration 2:37 Muslim communities across the GTA are getting ready to mark Ramadan. It's a time when worshippers are heavily involved with charity and strive to give back to people in need, at home and abroad. CBC's Britnei Bilhete has the story.
