Residents felt a taste of community and camaraderie at the Muslim Society of Guelph’s annual community BBQ Saturday.
The event took place behind the Muslim Society of Guelph’s building on Water Street.
Everything from desserts, meat skewers, burgers and the like had mouths salivating, with dishes from all around the world on display.
“It’s always touching, and it’s always amazing to see the brotherhood and sisterhood that we have created here in Guelph,” said Imam Mohammad Mubeen Butt, in the midst of grilling up free hot dogs, which were donated by an undisclosed organization.
Vendors were also set up to sell clothing, jewelry and other trinkets.
What added to the enthusiasm was the amount of people who turned out despite the rainy weather throughout the day.
“This is all about community,” Mubeen Butt said. “If you just take a look around, you can see people from all ethnicities, religions, different faith groups are here, city officials, children.”
He added he didn’t want to take away from the sorrow and grief of the global situation, a situation impacting groups here in Guelph.
The Imam made a point of highlighting a couple Palestinian booths raising money for their causes.
Each vendor was given a spot without conditions, allowing themselves an opportunity to market themselves to the general public.
“It’s a message of inclusiveness, it’s a message of love, it’s a message of affection, and we hopefully want to try and echo that outside of the City of Guelph too,” Mubeen Butt said.
“Maybe want to be a role model community for the world to see.
“There’s many different faith groups and ethnicities and religions and races. They’re all working together to keep each other happy.”
