Today in our "Everyday Muslim Heroes" series, we ask: what makes an everyday hero? The answer, we found, lies in the story of Rabia Shahid. She is the driving force behind SacredHand Canada, a charity she founded a decade ago to help seniors, refugees, immigrants, and individuals with disabilities. Over the years, Rabia has grown the charity into a large organization serving over ten thousand people, and her actions speak volumes about the essence of true heroism.
A Day at SacredHand Canada
To understand the extent of Rabia's impact, we spent a day filming at the SacredHand Canada facility in Mississauga. The moment we walked in, it was clear this was a place humming with purposeful activity. Rabia was already there, efficiently moving from one task to another.
The Engine Room: Volunteers at Work
As Rabia supervised, a team of volunteers was busy sorting and packing food. They came from different backgrounds—some were Muslim, others not—but what they all had in common was a dedication that reflected Rabia’s own. The food bank, a major part of the facility, serves as the first point of contact for many seeking help, and it operates like a well-oiled machine thanks to these collective efforts.
More Than a Workspace: A Family Space
In the midst of this organized chaos, Rabia's children came in. They greeted their mother and quietly settled down in a corner to focus on their homework. Notably, her son started fundraising for the charity when he was just a few years old, illustrating that the drive to help others runs deep in the family. The facility isn’t just an office or a warehouse; it’s also a family space where everyone contributes to the mission of SacredHand Canada.
Facing Hard Truths
What makes the day at SacredHand especially meaningful are the conversations Rabia initiates about less-discussed social issues within Muslim communities. She doesn't shy away from topics like child abuse and alcoholism. Her sentiment was clear: these are challenges that need to be talked about, not hidden away.
Rabia Shahid's everyday heroism lies in these actions—in her commitment to serving the needy, in her ability to inspire volunteerism, and in her courage to discuss issues that many prefer to ignore. In telling Rabia's story, we've found an example of the immense good one individual can achieve. She encapsulates what it means to be an everyday hero, shaping her community one selfless act at a time.
Stay tuned for more stories in our "Everyday Muslim Heroes" series. And keep an eye out for the premiere of Rabia Shahid's episode. To get updates on when it will be released, be sure to follow us on our social media channels.
Comments