Canadian Muslim Community responds to wildfires with compassion and action
By Muaz Nasir
In the face of devastating wildfires across Western Canada, Muslim communities across the country have mobilized to provide aid and support to affected regions.
Reflecting Islamic values of charity and community service, Islamic organizations and local mosques have rolled up their sleeves to support fellow Canadians when they need it the most.
Wildfire Season in Canada
With significant shifts in climate in Western Canada over the past several years, wildfires are now becoming a common occurrence.
This year the wildfire season has started earlier and is more intense with states of emergency already declared in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
The resulting smoke has spread through most of Canada and as far away as Europe; impacting air quality and prompting local health authorities to issue advisories.
Faith Communities Respond
Islamic Relief Canada has been at the forefront of domestic disaster response, launching a Wildfires Emergency Appeal to provide urgent supplies to evacuees in Manitoba.
Their teams on the ground are supporting shelters in Winnipeg where 17,000 evacuees are being housed; working alongside relief agencies such as the Salvation Army and the Red Cross to distribute comfort kits, bedding, and food to those displaced by the fires.
Local organizations such as the Manitoba Islamic Association have also launched a donation drive to collect essentials for those displaced by the wildfires including delivering hot meals, hygiene supplies and baby items to those in need.
“We are deeply saddened by the devastation that has been caused by the wildfires, and it is unimaginable what the families are going through” remarked Ruheen Aziz, Vice Chair of the Manitoba Islamic Association to CTV News. “This is a time for unity – We are calling on all Manitobans to come and help. We have your back, and we will make sure that you are taken care of”
Other faith communities across Canada have stepped up to assist relief agencies, responding to the immediate needs of evacuees.
The Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba which has 42 congregations in Manitoba opened their facilities as temporary shelters and arranging transportation where needed.
The Manitoba Jewish community has also stepped up by collecting donations such as clothing, blankets, toiletries and baby items through a local thrift store in Winnipeg.
History of Aid
Canadian Muslims have come forward in previous years supporting response efforts and evacuees.
In the Fort McMurray fire in 2016, the Al Rashid Mosque in Edmonton, Canada's oldest mosque, was been actively involved in collecting and distributing items like blankets, cots, and hygiene products to various hosting centers and the Buffalo Lake Métis settlement in the area.
The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) also opened up its mosques in Cold Lake and Edmonton to host the fire evacuees and throughout the week Muslims gathered at the Alberta Legislature to pray for rain.
Similarly, ICNA Relief Canada initiated a $170,000 relief plan through its Edmonton Resource Centre, focusing on delivering essential supplies such as food, clothing, and bedding to evacuees in Fort McMurray.
Muslim and Indigenous Communities Disproportionately Impacted
As the impacts of climate change become more persistent in Western Canada, faith communities are filling a gap by providing culturally appropriate support that traditional aid agencies are unable to provide.
In 2024, The Public Health Agency of Canada released a report, analyzing the impact of wildfires on diverse populations and communities, recognizing that there were clear gaps in their response specifically to Indigenous and Muslim populations.
In evaluating the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire it was identified that 10% of the population was Muslim. “They experienced a lack of privacy when needing to stay in group-lodging facilities, a lack of appropriate clothes and food, and additional considerations for spirituality and prayer,“ the report noted.
There were similar findings with Indigenous Peoples as well, as their spiritual practices were tied to the land which were severely curtailed due to the wildfires and resulting evacuations.
Recommendations of the report include considering the cultural needs of faith communities and Indigenous Peoples during evacuations and developing community-based plans that reflect this consideration such as the provision of culturally appropriate foods.
A New Normal
As Canadians adapt to this new normal, Islamic organizations are also evolving and tailoring their support to the unique needs of the communities they operate.
They also fill a unique role in bridging the divide between traditional aid organizations that may not have the capacity to cater to the cultural or religious needs of evacuees.
Through coordinated relief efforts, local mosque initiatives, and interfaith collaborations, Muslims across Canada are playing a pivotal role in supporting those affected by the wildfires, embodying the spirit of compassion and service central to their faith.
[Muaz Nasir is a Canadian environmentalist living in Toronto. He has worked and volunteered in the private, non-profit, institutional and government sectors promoting environmental initiatives across the residential, commercial and industrial fields. He is currently the editor and publisher of the Muslim-environmental blog, Khaleafa.com and sits on several committees including Earth Day Canada, TD Friends of the Environment and Faith and the Common Good].