Danforth Islamic Centre Take on Malaria

On Friday April 9, 2010, Danforth Islamic Centre, located at 3018 Danforth Avenue, took part in the national Congregations Act initiative to support the fight against malaria by building awareness and raising funds after the regular Friday prayers. Although raising the minimum amount of $100 looked doubtful in this congregation, which is situated in one of Toronto’s priority neighbourhoods, the results were surprising when the congregation contributed $315 for this great cause.

Crescent Town, population 16 000, is one of the priority neighbourhoods where over 40% of the population lives under the poverty line and 39.6% of the population are newcomers to Canada; compared to the Toronto average of 21.6%. There are three mosques in this neighbourhood serving the majority Bangladeshi community.  It is quite understandable that Danforth Islamic Centre didn’t expect to raise the bare minimum from those who attend the Friday lecture and prayer. So, as a generous gesture towards this cause, the DIC committee agreed to top up whatever is raised to reach the $100 minimum amount from each congregation. However, inhabitants of this neighbourhood demonstrated a higher level of generosity by raising over $300.

The Friday lecture was delivered by Irshad Osman, who spoke about the horrible effect of Malaria which kills over 1 million people every year, most of them children under 5 years old. In his latest series of monthly Friday lectures, Irshad Osman has been speaking to the faithful about assisting people of other faiths, not constraining ourselves to our own communities.

“Religion is not local; it is not ethnic; it is not selfish. Rather it is an international force for good, encouraging its followers to assist one another and look after the welfare of one another, irrespective of others’ religion, creed, or skin colour. Prophet Muhammad sent 500 dirhams to Makkan Quraysh tribes when they were afflicted with a severe draught in the 7^th century, despite the fact Makkan community persecuted him to the extent he was forced to leave his beloved land to another city. Makkan tribes did not believe in his message either. Still prophet Muhammad sent this international relief to them to show his solidarity with his brethren in humanity. This is one of the golden humanitarian examples we see in Islamic history which we are religiously obliged to follow,” Irshad Osman reminisced the history with the audience.

“Show compassion to those on earth; you will be shown compassion by those in the heavens,” Irshad quoted one of Prophet’s famous sayings.

The congregation at Danforth Islamic Centrer was informed that every 30 seconds 1 child breathes its last breath because of Malaria, an entirely preventable and treatable disease. All religious organizations in Canada are joining together on World Malaria Day, April 25^th, to eradicate this disease from the face of the earth.

“This is an excellent opportunity to show your compassion to the people of Africa. The funds you raise today will be invested to buy bed nets for vulnerable families. They all are creation of Almighty God. Our roots are same. Our values are same. We should feel other’s pain. Losing one member in our family is not easy. How about when it happens annually to some communities? Let’s get together to help. This kind act will be rewarded immensely for you in this world and the hereafter” Irshad encouraged the faithful to make a difference.

At the end of the lecture, Irshad told them about the credibility of the Faiths Act Fellows, with who he has been working with lately. The congregation was also informed that the money raised will be matched dollar per dollar and will be invested in its entirety to support the cause. The message was well received by the audience and quite an unexpected amount was raised after the lecture.