‘It’s a hand of friendship’: Regina’s Muslim community holds Every Child Matters event

In an effort to support truth and reconciliation, Saskatchewan’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community has organized an Every Child Matters event.

“We are meeting together with the First Nations people, one of them is a survivor, to show our solidarity to the people who have suffered extremely,” explained Habib Rehman, regional president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the Prairies.

Held at Regina’s Mahmood Mosque, the group invited the public to reflect on the history of Canada’s residential school system while focusing on a path of moving forward collectively.

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“We are here to tell them that we are friends and we will do anything to help relieve their miseries and in the future as well,” Rehman said. “It’s a hand of friendship and it’s a shoulder to cry on.”

Rehman added this is not the first time the event has taken place, as Regina’s Muslim community has built a close relationship with First Nation communities over the years.

“We hope that they understand that there are people who acknowledge and understand the miseries they have suffered and [we] are ready to help them in any way or support them in any way [we] can,” he said.

In addition to a residential school survivor speaking at the event, members from Piapot First Nation were also present.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community’s slogan is “Love for all, hatred for none.”