In the vast expanse of Canada’s North, where food insecurity is a daily reality for many, a powerful story of compassion and connection unfolds. The Muslim Welfare Centre (MWC) of Toronto, a faith-driven charity founded in 1993, has extended its reach far beyond city limits - hope to remote communities like Inuvik, Northwest Territories, through the Arctic Food Bank.
The MWC was established by Major Muhammad Abbas Ali, a retired officer of the Pakistan Army, and his wife Sarwar Jahan Begum, both of whom immigrated to Canada in the late 1980s. Their motto, “Service to humanity is service to Allah,” became the guiding principle of a charity that began humbly in a 10x10-foot room in Scarborough, Ontario. Over the decades, MWC has grown into a national organization with a wide range of services:
In 2015, MWC launched the Arctic Food Bank behind the Midnight Sun Mosque in Inuvik—the northernmost mosque in North America. The initiative was sparked by Vice President Muhammad Iqbal Ali, who visited Inuvik and witnessed firsthand the challenges of high food costs, limited access to fresh produce, and widespread poverty. Key features of the Arctic Food Bank:
Whether you're in Inuvik or thousands of kilometers away, your time, support, and donations can make an impact. The Muslim Welfare Centre and the Arctic Food Bank thrive on community energy - and there's always room for one more helping hand.
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