Meet, Eat, Donate: Muslim BBQ Supports Old East Village

The Muslim community in London, Ontario, invited Londoners to join a barbecue event Sunday, August 25, to support those affected by the Old East Village explosion that shook Woodman Avenue and surrounding areas, Global News reported.

“[The families] are fellow Londoners, they’re fellow citizens… it’s incumbent on us to reach out to them and see how we can alleviate any troubles,” says Chahbar.

“This is financial support, but they need emotional support, they need support on every level.”

With a tag line of “Meet, Eat, and donate,” the London Muslim Mosque collected proceeds to help those affected by the Old East Village explosion that shook Woodman Avenue and surrounding areas on the night of August 14.

The tragedy occurred when a vehicle driven by an alleged impaired driver crashed into the front of a home in London’s Old East Village neighborhood, striking a gas meter at the front of the house, resulting in a leak.

That set off an explosion just over 10 minutes later that all but obliterated the building and severely damaged homes to the immediate north and south.

Councillors @jesse_helmer and @SquirePhil here at the London Muslim Mosque (151 Oxford St W) for an OEV fundraiser BBQ. All proceeds will go towards supporting the Old East Village community. The grill is on until 3 p.m. #LdnOnt pic.twitter.com/lwhSXqiODX

— 980 CFPL London News (@AM980News) August 25, 2019

Outstanding Muslims

The mosque event won praise from Councilors Jesse Helmer of Ward 4 and Phil Squire of Ward 6.

“The community here at the London Muslim Mosque is outstanding, I’m not surprised to see them come together to try and support their neighbors in Old East Village,” says Helmer.

“It’s really heartening to see the community coming together here at the mosque to try and support the folks who have been affected.”

“Today’s really just an example of the many things the [mosque does] to make the community better,” says Squire. “I’m not surprised, but I couldn’t be happier.”

Mark Johnson and Christopher Handren are two friends who were keen on attending the BBQ.

“It’s a real blessing to have a Muslim community here that’s so outreaching and giving,” Johnson tells 980 CFPL.

“I think [the victims need] more moral support [like this.]” adds Handren.

Muslims are the fastest-growing religious community in Canada, according to the country’s statistical agency, Statistics Canada.

Canada’s Muslim population increased by 82 percent over the past decade – from about 579,000 in 2001 to more than 1 million in 2011.

Muslims represent 3.2 percent of Canada’s total population.

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source https://aboutislam.net/muslim-issues/n-america/meet-eat-donate-muslim-bbq-supports-old-east-village/