Muslim and Jews Team Up to Warm and Fed Homeless During Frigid Cold Snap in Western Canada

The Muslim and Jewish communities of Edmonton, Alberta, recently teamed up to help keep homeless people warm and fed during a spell of frigid weather in the western Canadian city.

The Jewish Federation of Edmonton delivered food and water last week to the historic Al Rashid Mosque, which was sheltering homeless people during a cold snap that saw temperatures hit -35 degrees Celsius.

“Thank you to @Alrashid_YEG for opening its mosque to the homeless during this severe cold snap,” Jewish Edmonton tweeted. “To help with this, #JewishEdmonton donated food and water to the mosque, which has extended the overnight space until this Sunday. Please consider donating to the cause. #yeg”

Thank you to @Alrashid_YEG for opening its mosque to the homeless during this severe cold snap. To help with this, #JewishEdmonton donated food and water to the mosque, which has extended the overnight space until this Sunday. Please consider donating to the cause. #yeg pic.twitter.com/g64yrpF9fw

— Jewish Edmonton (@JewishEdmonton) January 6, 2022

The Al Rashid Mosque — the first mosque ever built Canada back in 1938 — replied, “This is how our community comes together! Thank you @JewishEdmonton for your contribution to ensure we are keeping our most valuable neighbours safe.”

This is how our community comes together! Thank you @JewishEdmonton for your contribution to ensure we are keeping our most valuable neighbours safe. https://t.co/jcKcIdmvDf

— Al Rashid Edmonton (@Alrashid_YEG) January 6, 2022

Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi shared the story on his Twitter account, and Independent Senator from Alberta Paula Simmons tweeted, “Everything about this tweet makes me verklempt – and proud of the people in my city who are doing what they can to help. Thank you to @Alrashid_YEG, @BissellCentre @JewishEdmonton and all the other groups who are out there — literally — doing the work to keep people safe. #yeg”

Everything about this tweet makes me verklempt – and proud of the people in my city who are doing what they can to help. Thank you to @Alrashid_YEG, @BissellCentre @JewishEdmonton and all the other groups who are out there – literally – doing the work to keep people safe. #yeg

— Paula Simons (@Paulatics) January 6, 2022