Regina Muslim Community Distributes Winter Care Packages to Homeless Ahead of Ramadan
As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, members of Regina's Muslim community have demonstrated their commitment to charitable giving by distributing dozens of winter care packages to homeless individuals throughout the city. This heartfelt initiative represents the third consecutive year that local Muslim organizations have come together to provide essential items to those experiencing homelessness during the harsh winter months.
A Community Effort Rooted in Faith and Compassion
Dozens of volunteers participated in the distribution effort, walking through Regina streets to personally deliver bags filled with hygiene supplies, snacks, gloves, toques, and scarves to homeless people outside Carmichael Outreach Regina. The timing of this year's distribution holds special significance as it coincides with the approach of Ramadan, an Islamic holy month that emphasizes religious devotion, charitable acts, and ritual fasting during daylight hours.
Abd Alfatah Alras, president of the Saskatchewan Arabs Society and organizer of the initiative, reflected on the spiritual dimension of this community service. "This project will really enhance the reflection part of fasting, as we see individuals who are struggling to find food on a daily basis or struggling to find shelter on a daily basis," Alras explained. "We remind ourselves that not everyone has a fridge that's always filled with food."
From Humble Beginnings to Sustained Impact
Alras began this charitable project in 2021 while he was an undergraduate student at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He brought together city Muslim associations to gather donations for 100 care packages. Now, as a third-year medical student at the University of Saskatchewan completing rotations at Regina General Hospital, Alras leads groups in both Regina and Saskatoon that deliver approximately 150 packages each year.
Over the years, the initiative has grown significantly, with volunteers likely having distributed a combined total of 1,000 winter packages across both cities. The packages contain practical items including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, hand warmers, toques, and scarves—all essential for surviving Saskatchewan's cold winters.
Meaningful Connections and Lasting Memories
Alras shared a particularly touching memory from last year's distribution that illustrates the profound impact of these simple acts of kindness. "Someone was very generous and they donated a very beautiful winter jacket, and a lady who needed it came and used it and she was very happy with it," he recalled. "She was modelling it to the volunteers. It was a beautiful moment to see that."
These interactions highlight the human connections forged through community service and the genuine gratitude expressed by recipients, even for basic necessities that many take for granted.
Timing and Significance of Ramadan
Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, shifting a few days each year. This year, the holy month is expected to begin on February 18, based on the sighting of the new crescent moon, and conclude with Eid al-Fitr on March 19. The timing of the winter package distribution coinciding with the approach of Ramadan adds deeper spiritual meaning to the charitable act.
Alras emphasized the community's perspective on this initiative: "I do believe that we, as a community, should try to do our best in whatever we can in our capacity—this could be money for some, this could be volunteering time of effort for others. This is our humble effort to contribute to change."
This ongoing project demonstrates how faith-based communities can make tangible differences in addressing social challenges while fostering greater understanding and compassion across different segments of society.
