Laurier group delivers meals to students on campus, in community this Ramadan

The Muslim Chaplaincy of Wilfrid Laurier University is delivering free iftar meals to students on campus and in the community almost every day this Ramadan.

Iftar is the meal observing Muslims have when they break their fast at sunset during the holy month.

The group at the university pegged "the meals on the wheels" received donations fromcommunity organizations and members to ensure students who are living away from homefeel supported.

"We have this wonderful community who is supporting us to be able to reach the students this Ramadan who are experiencing this sacred month by themselves away from their families," said Selda Sezen, Muslim Chaplain and professor at the university, addingthe initiative also addresses food insecurity.

The meal delivery project,which began last year, has doubled this year to serve about 80 students. The majority are on campus, but also people in the community.

There are aboutsix committed volunteers that pick-up meals from local vendors, packageand deliver them daily between 6 and 8 p.m., just before iftar time.

Student volunteer Malak El-batroukh said many of the meals are hearty, homey and resemble home-cooked dishes for many people.

"For me, I feel like home-cooked meals, to be honest, provide a sense of comfort and nostalgia to the person, especially when they're away from their families. They feel as though, that home cooked meal is there, sitting with their family in that moment of they are reminded of their mother during iftar time," said El-batroukh.

Sezen said the team was initially concerned about the lockdown measures in place, however they are deemed an essential service, providing food to those who need it.

Sezen notes the initiative is for both Muslims and non-Muslims.

The group also provides students monthly grocery cards and a free hot meal from time-to-time outside Ramadan.

According to the lunar calendar, Ramadan will continue to fall during fall and winter months, and therefore the group is looking atsustainable ways to keep the initiative going.