George Brown Professor helps organize evening to celebrate Syria

Bashir Munye of My Little Dumplings donated food to the event, “as Canadian from Somalia I know what war feels like and wanted to help”

“They called it Supper with Syria because it was really a night of celebration,” said Nadia Qureshi, a George Brown College (GBC) professor and a volunteer at the event.

Immigration Canada offers a number of ways to sponsor refugees and raising funds is an essential part of all of them. With the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis Qureshi and three people from very different backgrounds decided to take action.

Sang Kim, an award-winning writer and chef; Dr. Lara Zahabi-Bekdash, a founding member of the Canadian Arab Institute and Inna Gertsberg, advertising writer and a former refugee, put together Supper with Syria, a fundraising event to show solidarity.

Originally aiming to raise $70,000 to support two families, the event sold out and ended up with $100,000 in donations. A joint effort of community members, food organizations and 165 volunteers made it possible for three refugee families to resettle in Toronto.

Chef Bashir Munye, a founder of My Little Dumplings, the first artisan gourmet dumpling business in Toronto, showed support by donating food. Having come from Somalia, he said he knows what it’s like to be from such a war-torn country.

The event took place at the historic Wychwood Barns on Nov. 29 and included high-profile guests such as Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins, Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett and Toronto Mayor John Tory.

Tory tweeted that it was “heartwarming to see Torontonians showing support for Syrian refugees at Supper with Syria fundraiser.”

“It was a very powerful and inspiring evening” said Qureshi who met an attendee that came all the way from Barrie and enjoyed the event so much that they decided to do something similar there. “For me it was a really powerful comment, because it showed initiatives like Supper with Syria start momentum.”

The Canadian Arabic Orchestra played traditional music throughout the night, a raffle draw and a silent auction of various art pieces was held. Four Syrian chefs made traditional dishes and four Canadian chefs presented their versions of those dishes.

“I believe in food justice. Food brings people together,” said Qureshi.

Qureshi heard about the volunteer opportunity from Ward 21 city councillor Joe Mihevc and immediately decided to help.

While a lot of people think Syria is primarily associated with ISIS and refugees, there is a deep history, culture, and art in that country, she explained. “Even though we are helping them, they are going to enrich our community with their culture.”

Although the money is raised, it is just a step in a more complicated process said Qureshi. It is now up to the government’s decision that will determine the process and timing of bringing those families to Canada.