Latest news with #MuslimCommunity
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Halal food bank expands in London to meet 'exponential' need, help resettle newcomers
A halal food bank in London has expanded to a larger location to better serve a growing number of people in need of food, essential items and employment support. The Halal Food Bank Canada has been helping provide halal-based ingredients and non-perishable food items to Londoners since 2019, but demand has significantly increased in recent years for services that extend beyond just food, said president and founder Amna Saleem. "The number of clients right now is about 1,200. That's roughly about 400 families," she said. "Mostly it's the rent which is making it horrible and difficult for many families to survive." "We are also offering a lot of other services to newcomer families like clothing and essentials so they can stand on their own feet. We want to have workshops to train them for jobs and resume building, so there was need for a much bigger place." The food bank has now moved from its former home on Wonderland Road to the Oxbury Mall in east London. Although halal options primarily serve the Muslim community, Saleem emphasized the food bank is open to everyone. "Hunger sees no religious boundaries, but there are families who depend specifically on halal so we wanted to make sure they get culturally-appropriate food without any worry," she added. In the six years she's been doing this work, Saleem has noticed a drastic increase in people turning to food banks, especially since the COVID pandemic. An average of three to four families register as its clients daily, with at least 300 families on a waiting list, she said. The food bank's outreach director Dr. Munir El-Kassem said as London's population grows amid a housing and affordability crisis, more services like this are needed to keep up with the need. "I've been here in Canada for 49 years and when I first arrived, all of London at that time was 170,000 people, now it's close to half-a-million. And with the increase in numbers, the exponential increase in needy families is at a level that we really need to match," he said. The charity takes on registered clients for a one-year period, where it provides them with employment assistance and other supports for newcomers to Canada. Its intake process includes a thorough interview to learn more about their family, job and financial situation, and looks at documents such as pay stubs and rent to better understand the help they need. The goal is to wean people out of the halal food bank's services and accept more families on the waiting list, said El-Kassem, a retired dental surgeon and Imam at the Islamic Centre of Southwestern Ontario. Kai Meloche, 23, started using the halal food bank earlier this year when she was unemployed and is now one of its volunteers. She said it's been extremely helpful at a time when finances are tight. "It has been a big change for me with being able to budget better. The daily cost of living and price of food right now is a struggle for many families and so it's been a really great service to turn to when in need," said Meloche. "I live by myself, unlike many others who may live with family members or have more services. Many people come [to Canada] alone, whether you are a student or a family so it's definitely difficult to settle in." She spends her days packing items such as rice, chickpeas, lentils and others into bags for clients and adjust food quantities to fit the number of people in a family. Both Meloche and Saleem have seen the difference the halal food bank has made firsthand in easing the stress people are experiencing.
Arabian Business
4 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Binance launches world's first Sharia-compliant multi-token cryptocurrency staking platform
Binance has launched Sharia Earn, the world's first multi-token staking service that complies with Islamic finance principles. The cryptocurrency exchange has received certification from Amanie Advisors, a recognised Sharia advisory firm, for the product. The service addresses a market gap in the $4 trillion Islamic finance sector, where millions of Muslims have been unable to participate in decentralised finance due to religious compliance concerns. Binance bridges crypto and Islamic finance gap Sharia Earn enables users to earn passive income from cryptocurrency investments whilst adhering to Islamic law. The platform launches with support for BNB, ETH, and SOL tokens. Users can earn yield through staking mechanisms that have been reviewed by Sharia scholars and approved under Islamic finance principles. Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, said: 'Our mission has always been to create an inclusive and transparent trading environment. With this product we're empowering the Muslim community and Sharia-focused investors to participate in one of the most exciting financial revolutions of our time. This is more than a product – it's a movement toward a more principled and equitable digital economy that promotes financial freedom for all.' The service operates under Islamic finance guidelines that include risk sharing, wealth circulation, prohibition of interest (riba) and excessive uncertainty (gharar). Amanie Advisors has certified that all funds deployed through the platform are channelled into ventures and assets that are halal (permissible) under Islamic law. Binance has built the service using technology from its existing BNB Locked Products, ETH Staking and SOL Staking infrastructure. The mechanics of each staking method have been reviewed by Sharia scholars and operate through a Wakala agreement structure. Sharia Earn will initially be available in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, India, Pakistan, Palestinian territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey (.com), United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan. This marks Binance's first entry into Islamic finance products and represents the convergence of blockchain technology with Islamic banking principles. The platform aims to provide transparency and halal compliance for cryptocurrency investments in Muslim-majority markets.
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Use Muslims As Vote Bank, Keep Them Poor': Rijiju Blasts Congress For Opposing Waqf Law
Last Updated: Minister Kiren Rijiju crticised Congress and other parties for opposing Waqf Law. He asserted the Modi government's stance of "appeasement to none, justice to all." Union Minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the Congress and other parties for opposing the new Waqf Bill. He said that unlike BJP, other parties treat Muslim Community as their vote bank. However, he added, Modi government believes in 'appeasement to none, justice to all". Speaking to the PTI Video, Rijiju said Parliament's job is to make law and 'the Supreme Court can definitely interpret it in the right way." As the apex court has reserved the interim orders on three key issues after hearing both sides in the Waqf case, Rijiju said he will not make any preemptive statement as the matter is in the court. 'We are very confident that whatever we have done is as per law and as per the provisions and spirit of the Constitution. I am very confident that the role of Parliament will not be taken away," he told PTI. Rijiju also commented on AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi's dejection to the new Waqf law and said he is opposing it out of compulsion. 'The main problem is what I tell you. Some of these leaders, including the Congress party, have treated the Muslims as a vote bank. When you start taking and making a community as a vote bank, then you become irrational. 'Then you put them into one bracket, that good or bad doesn't matter, they will all be rhetorical," the minister added. Union Minister further said those who are opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, are only trying to keep the Muslims poor and ensure that they remain as their vote bank. 'Our thinking is opposite to that. Ours is appeasement to none, justice to all," Rijiju said. There are many within the Muslim community, lots of groups, women, children and backward communities who have not gotten any benefit out of the Waqf properties, the minister told PTI on Friday. 'So, India's Waqf properties you know very well are the highest number of Waqf properties in the world. More than 9,70,000 Waqf properties are there which must be put into use for the purpose for which those properties were created," Rijiju said. The Waqf (Amendment) Act was passed by Parliament in April and subsequently came into force through a government notification. While the BJP-led NDA had rallied in support of the Bill, the opposition INDIA bloc united in opposing it. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- BBC News
Man who released rats near Sheffield mosque sentenced
A man who deliberately released wild rats near a mosque has avoided jail after admitting racially motivated Fowler drove to the Grand Mosque in Sheffield between May and June on four different occasions and filmed himself taking the caged rats out of the boot of his vehicle and encouraging the creatures to enter the place of worship. Fowler pleaded guilty to four counts of racially aggravated harassment at a previous hearing and it still "remains a mystery" why he did it, Sheffield Magistrates' Court heard earlier. The 66-year-old, of Skelwith Drive, Sheffield, was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and banned from going near a mosque for 18 months. He must also undertake 15 rehabilitation activity days and is banned from going to certain areas of the city. In CCTV footage shown to the court, Fowler could be seen driving his Audi near the mosque on Grimesthorpe Road and shouting racist insults at people entering the building. The court heard how his actions "deliberately targeted a local mosque" and had caused widespread "upset and shock" within the community. In a victim impact statement, the mosque manager said: "It is evident people using the mosque are Muslim. "They are scared of further harassment and are now too scared to come to the mosque." Fowler's defence solicitor said he knew his crime was "appalling" but that he did not know why he did it. It was suggested his various caring responsibilities - including looking after his wife with breast cancer - may have led to a mental breakdown. Chair of the bench, Suzanne Irish-Deverill, told Fowler she was "disgusted" by the footage and that his crimes were "pre-planned on multiple occasions". She added: "You also had the audacity to record it yourself. It has had significant impact and caused shock and distress."People are entitled to travel to a place of worship without being racially or religiously harassed - it is a hate crime." Fowler was also ordered to pay £239 in costs. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Arab News
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
MWL introduces updated strategy and framework
MAKKAH: Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa presided over the inauguration of the league's enhanced strategic plan and updated governance framework. The event, held at the league's headquarters in Makkah, was attended by prominent Islamic figures, according to a recent report. This comprehensive modernization initiative reflects the league's commitment to adapting to the evolving global landscape and expanding the scope of its mission. The plan particularly emphasizes expanding international programs to promote the 'Charter of Makkah' and the 'Charter for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects.' Al-Issa said the initiative advances the league's vision, mission, goals, and values through a forward-looking strategy and governance model. He also reaffirmed that the league's founding principles, as set out in its statutes, remain steadfast and continue to guide its efforts to develop and modernize in service of the global Muslim community.
