London Latino and Muslim communities come together to aid Venezuelan earthquake victims

Alen Dautovic (L) of Islamic Relief Canada and David Ayala, a Latino Community fundraiser and organizer in London, Ont. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)

A coming together of two cultural communities takes place in London this weekend in support of earthquake victims in Venezuela.

Both Latinos and Muslims will gather at the London Muslim Mosque for a fundraising dinner.

The event was conceived by members of the Islamic Relief Fund of Canada, who were moved by the devastation left behind by the earthquake in Venezuela.

It has claimed at least 3,800 lives.

“When people are suffering, you have to you have to feel something. That’s what makes us human, and that’s what makes us push harder,” said Alen Dautovic of Islamic Relief Canada.

David Ayala, a Latino Community fundraiser and organizer in London, welcomes the pledge by the Muslim community. He is elated to learn that the dinner is expected to raise $50,000. It will be matched by the federal government.

“This is like a great opportunity to come together as London in general. And not just for Latinos or for, you know, for people from the Muslim community. Like, everyone is welcome to attend and provide their support to this noble cause,’ said Ayala.

CTV News London has been told that members of the Muslim community are on the ground in Caracas, aiding in the rescue effort. Dautovic said volunteers have helped elsewhere in the world.

“We assisted on the ground in Jamaica, the past year, with the floods. And now we are on the ground in Venezuela after the devastating earthquakes that have occurred. So, it’s a good chance for us to show that, you know, and our generosity doesn’t stop with the Muslim countries that, you know, we’re proud that we work with and we help non-Muslims around the world as well.”

The assistance is desperately needed, agreed Ayala.

Many Latino Londoners have relatives impacted by the quake.

“There are groups of people who lost pretty much everything. You know, we have had people who have come here and who share with us that their family has lost everything. They don’t know where to go.”

The dinner at the London Muslim Mosque on Oxford St. is open to everyone. It begins at 6. p.m. on Saturday.