Volunteers are key in the integration and settlement of Winnipeg's Muslim Immigrants

Safa Al Habrawi, a volunteer with the Manitoba Islamic Association (MIA), spoke about the importance of volunteering and its role in improving the lives of immigrants in Winnipeg. She also touched on some of the most significant challenges they face at the beginning of their lives in Winnipeg. 

In her interview with Rimsha Sohail and Yahisha Zalam for U-Multicultural TV, she talked about some of the obstacles that Muslim immigrants face and also the positive aspects of coming to a country that is very open and inclusive.

"When they arrive, they confront significant challenges". On the negative side, she says that some face an unjust viewpoint of some Canadians. Some people assume that immigrants came to be reliant on the government; that they will sit at home doing nothing, and not contribute to the country. Another common misconception, according to Al Habrawi, is that immigrants will be involved in crime and commit acts that endanger society's security and stability.

Language is of course one of the primary difficulties for new immigrants to Winnipeg. Al Habraw stressed the importance of learning English so that newcomers can feel comfortable in their new home; to learn about the city, it's people, and to be involved in the greater society. She Is involved in teaching English to newcomers from all over the world.

While the Canadian society is very different from those of Muslim immigrants' original countries, she stressed that it is very important to be very open and learn about the place that they have adopted as their home. She says that you can adopt ideas that you want and hold onto those from your original culture that you want.

She also talked about the fact that coming to a new country such as Canada opens the opportunity for individuals to reassess what they really want to do.  Maybe, you were a doctor in your original country, but you really want to be a businessman, then there is nothing stopping you, according to her.  In her view, If you want to stay in your original profession then consider that the number of years it will take to get certified for Canada will be worth it in the long run and it is also justified that professionals must meet a Canadian standard.

"We are lucky her in Winnipeg, in my experience," she says, "we have a lot of organizations supporting newcomers and Canadian people...like to work with immigrants."

Al Habrawi works with immigrants of all ages daily and actively contributes to improving their lives because she faced challenges in her early days in Winnipeg. Volunteers are important in helping others settle in and in giving them advice so that they can be happy in their new city of Winnipeg. 

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