Grants from Strong Together Fund support London's Muslim communities
Grants from Strong Together Fund support London's Muslim communities
Photo credit: Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration
In response to the tragic and violent act of Islamophobia that occurred on June 6, and in the spirit of fostering a safe and welcoming community, London Community Foundation established the Strong Together Fund. Seeded with a $10,000 grant from the Foundation’s unrestricted funds, the Strong Together Fund was quickly supported by generous donors, corporations and several national Community Foundations. In short order, enough funds were raised to grant $237,029 in support of London’s diverse Muslim communities.
“The outpouring of support from our community and from across the country was incredible – especially in the wake of such a violent and stark reminder of the divisions that still exist in our city,” says Martha Powell, President & CEO, LCF. “We wanted to let London’s Muslim communities know that we hear them, and we care about them.”
Recognizing the Foundation’s limited knowledge of the needs of these communities, LCF turned to the London Muslim Mosque and the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration for guidance and direction. Safety and mental wellness were identified as major concerns.
“We have heard from community members that they are concerned about attending mosque programming, or even sending their children to school in the wake of the awful act committed on June 6,” says Nader Abdelmajed, Operations Manager at the London Islamic School. “London Muslim Mosque and the Muslim community at large are so grateful to the London Community Foundation and their donors for this generous grant – and for being there when we needed them.”
To help restore a sense of safety to congregants and community members, the London Muslim Mosque was granted $114,825.52 to install new fences, gates and improved security systems at the Mosque and Islamic School.
And while the Mosque ensures that London’s Muslim communities have a safe space to learn and pray, the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration was granted $122,203.48 to develop workshops and training programs to help combat Islamophobia in our community.
“We are taking action to address Islamophobia and respond to the realities of racial trauma, which affects all members of the Muslim community in profound ways,” says Sahar Atalla, Manager of Client Services & Support Programs at the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration. “Our aspiration is to foster healing in our community and continue working together with community members and partners to challenge all forms of hate and harm."
To all who donated to the Strong Together Fund – thank you. Your commitment to fostering a safe and welcoming community for all is truly inspiring.
“Everyone deserves to live in safety,” says Sahar. “This attack, as traumatic as it was, revealed the solidarity of the London community – and its heartfelt desire to nurture a hate-free and resilient city.”