Seniors helping seniors in Mississauga

(October 26, 2011) – The Muslim Seniors Circle held its annual dinner on Saturday, October 1, 2011 inMississaugato raise awareness in the community about the issues facing seniors.

“The purpose of the annual dinner is also to establish closer links between elders in the community and members of other generations,” according to the organizers of the event.

The well-attended dinner featured presentations on the organization’s activities, a keynote speech by Abdalla Idris Ali and entertainment by Nader Khan.

According to the organization’s website, “The Muslim Seniors Circle (MSC) is a community of seniors, age 55 and up, organized to provide fellowship for each other and support for fellow seniors facing problems associated with aging, such as issues of fitness, mobility, loneliness and isolation.”

The MSC has been very active in city ofMississaugaholding a variety of programs for seniors.

Monthly meetings are held at the Islamic Centre of Canada (ISNA), 2200 South Sheridan Way, Mississaugaon the first Friday of the month after the Friday prayers.

The program includes group activities, educational and informational presentations, discussions and socialization. Sandwiches, fresh seasonal fruits, sugar-free and regular cookies, samosas, fruit juices, coffee and tea are served.

Weekly socials are also held at the Islamic Centre of Canada (ISNA). During the fall and winter seasons, activities are conducted after Salatul Isha prayers. During the spring and summer months, activities are conducted after Salatul Maghrib prayers.

Activities include badminton for men and women, computer training for men and women, and yoga for women. Separate badminton courts and gyms are available for men and women. And also available are various board games, exercise machine and weight training equipments.

MSC is introducing a special program for women to be conducted by qualified and experienced Yoga trainers. The program started on October 5 in the gym at ISNA after Salatul Maghrib prayers and will be held every Wednesday evenings after that.

MSC volunteers also provide home visits to alleviate loneliness of housebound seniors, referral advice, rides to mosques, accompaniment for appointments, etc.

Hospital visits are conducted by trained and certified volunteers who are MSC members. These volunteers provide comfort, supplications and conversation for hospital patients.

During spring and summer, MSC members have the option of joining fellow members for a round of golf.

Further information on the Muslim Seniors Circle can be found on their website: http://www.muslimseniorscircle.ca/