The President Of Kawartha Muslim Religious Association Wrote This Love Letter To Community
/Kenzu Abdella, President of the Kawartha Muslim Religious Association, posted a beautiful note to the Peterborough community on Facebook. Read it below...
"Dear Donors,
I am writing this letter on behalf of the Kawartha Muslim Religious Association (KMRA) to thank you for the heartfelt support you provided to us through the crowdfunding campaign for the restoration of the Masjid Al Salaam after the fire that occurred on November 14th, 2015.
While the tragedy of this hate crime has shocked and saddened our Muslim community, we are highly encouraged by the outpouring of support that people like you have provided to us at a time of great need for our community.
Although the perpetrator(s) of this crime intended to create fear, division and hatred it in fact had the opposite effect. We believe strongly that something remarkable has come out of this tragedy in the form of overwhelming community solidarity in Peterborough. We also believe that the crowdfunding campaign has had a mobilizing effect that has extended beyond Peterborough and we are deeply thankful to you for that. We feel that we are in the midst of special people who care about promoting tolerance, neighbourliness, and who respect diversity.
I am writing you this letter to advise you that the KMRA’s insurance will cover most of the restoration that your donation was intended to cover. The KMRA is proposing that the surplus funds be utilized to create a fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough – a charity that inspires giving to build a vital community for everyone. Through this newly created fund, initial grants will be made to two important charities that are addressing significant needs in greater Peterborough:
1. Five Counties Children’s Centre, which is dedicated to supporting and enriching the independence and general quality of life for children and youth with physical, developmental, and communication needs, and;
2. YWCA Crossroads Shelter which provides emergency shelter and support services for women and their children who are escaping abusive situations (a problem that cuts across all economic and social aspects of society).
We hope you will agree to join with KMRA in supporting the needs of women and children in our community as an ongoing and lasting expression of gratitude for the outpouring of support extended to us in a time of need. On the other hand, if you feel that your donation was specifically for reparation of damages to the Mosque and you would like your funds to be returned to you, please send an email to kmra.pe@gmail.com no later than December 22.
And rest assured that whichever option you choose, our gratitude for your support will remain the same.
Once again we would like to thank you for your immediate and heartfelt response to our crisis in this difficult time."
—Kenzu Abdella, President of the Kawartha Muslim Religious Association
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