Toronto's Muslim Community urged to fight food insecurity with innovative approach

A new academic paper sheds light on the significant challenge of food insecurity within Toronto's Muslim households, a problem profoundly worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The research, co-authored by Amjad Mohamed-Saleem and Imam Irshad Osman, proposes a groundbreaking solution rooted in Islamic principles: "The 5 Pillars of Sustainable Food Security (5PSFS)."

Food insecurity is a persistent issue across Canada, with reports indicating that one in eight households, or 4.5 million individuals—including over 1.2 million children—experience it. 

In Toronto, this figure rises to 18.5% of the population. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 amplified these challenges, placing immense pressure on food banks already grappling with increased demand, operational limitations, volunteer shortages, and a decline in donations. 

The study notes that food insecurity disproportionately affects vulnerable groups such as low-income individuals, younger demographics, migrant families, and racialized communities.

The paper delves into the historical context of food assistance within Islamic societies, referencing institutions like the Ottoman public kitchens (Imaret), which traditionally provided free meals to the less fortunate. 

These historical models underscore a foundational Islamic emphasis on social justice and community responsibility in ensuring access to sustenance for all.

Building upon these rich traditions, the authors introduce the 5PSFS model, an innovative framework that adapts established Islamic charitable provisions for contemporary application. 

These five pillars represent potential continuous and annual financial support mechanisms for alleviating hunger:

• Iftar: Charitable giving associated with breaking the fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
• Udhiya: The act of animal sacrifice for charitable distribution during the annual Hajj festival.
• Aqeeqa: Animal sacrifice performed for charitable purposes upon the birth of a child.
• Fidyah: Compensatory feeding of the poor for missed Ramadan fasts due to legitimate reasons.
• Kaffara: Expiatory feeding of the poor for intentionally missed Ramadan fasts.

Through interviews with representatives from both Muslim and mainstream charitable organizations in Toronto, the study uncovered a crucial disconnect: despite the strong theological foundation and historical precedent, there is limited awareness and systematic utilization of the 5PSFS model for addressing local food insecurity. 

Many Muslim donors tend to prioritize international aid, often unaware of the pressing local needs or how these specific Islamic charitable mechanisms can be effectively channeled to support local food banks and combat hunger within their immediate communities.

Interviewees from mainstream food banks expressed keen interest in receiving philanthropic funds from Muslim communities to provide culturally and religiously appropriate food options to Muslim clients. 

The research underscores the imperative of educating Muslim donors about the scope of local food insecurity and the transformative potential of the 5PSFS model as a robust framework for year-round, sustainable charitable giving. 

It calls for enhanced collaboration among local organizations and a renewed communal commitment to tackling the often "invisible problem" of food insecurity affecting Muslim households in Toronto.