Muneeba Centre gains support in Scarborough
(June 13, 2014) – The Muneeba Centre will offer support programs and respite services for people with disabilities a fund raising dinner in Scarborough was told on June 7.
The fund-raiser was organized by the Canadian Association for Muslims with Disabilities (CAM-D), Ansar Financial and the Islamic Institute of Toronto to support DEEN Support Services, which recently acquired a building for the Muneeba Centre.
“We were able to purchase the property for the Muneeba Centre with the help of Ansar Cooperative Housing Cooperation,” she added.
Rabia Khedr provided context to the establishment of DEEN Support Services, which is a registered charity, dedicated to providing life skills programming, respite and residential services for individuals with developmental disabilities, an area of need, which is a looming crisis in Ontario today.
“I want you to reflect on the people in your lives that you know have disabilities and consider their needs and their desires to be a part of our society,” urged Rabia Khedr.
“In the 90s, I was so blessed by the deaf Muslims to be allowed into their world,” said Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick. “And when I entered their world it changed my attitude completely to people with disabilities.”
Ansar Cooperative Housing Corporation President, Pervez Nasim explained to the gathering why the corporation is backing the project.
“We help this special segment that is sometimes ignored by our community,” said Pervez Nasim. “Many of our special children, youth and young adults cannot do much for themselves, cannot even ask for help.”
Farhad Khadim, President of the Islamic Institute of Toronto, appealed to the audience for support of DEEN Support Services and over $25,000 were pledged to assist in the establishment of the Muneeba Centre set to open its doors this Fall.
750,000 Canadians are living with a developmental disability. With just over 1 million Muslims in Canada, it is estimated that 24,000 of these individuals may be Muslim.
For more information about CAM-D and its initiatives, visit www.camd.ca or to make a contribution, please visit www.deensupportservices.ca