The evening welcomed a diverse group of participants, including the Mayor of Waterloo, federal and provincial representatives, regional and city councillors, police representatives, faith leaders, community organizations, and academics from Laurier and the University of Waterloo. We were also honored to have representatives from the Métis, Ukrainian, and African communities, along with organizations such as The Pregnancy Centre, Public Health, Immigration Partnership, and the KW Multicultural Centre.

The program included Qur’an recitation, prayers, the call to break the fast, music, speeches, and community sharing, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone present.

Many guests shared how meaningful the evening felt. One participant expressed it beautifully:
“Whenever I gather with this community, I feel at home and safe.”

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all volunteers, organizers, and guests who made this special evening possible. Together, we continue building bridges of understanding, friendship, and belonging.

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Around the same table, students met new friends, exchanged stories, and experienced the spirit of Ramadan together.
Through interactive games, conversation, and the joy of breaking fast side by side, meaningful bonds were formed across different schools and backgrounds.

The evening concluded with small gifts, shared laughter, and a stronger sense of belonging within our community.

Because when hearts meet, friendships grow.

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Nearly ten years ago, when many of our members first arrived in Canada, the members of Floradale Mennonite Church were among the first who reached out to us. They held our hands, guided us, opened their doors, welcomed us into their homes, and became true friends in a new country.

This visit was a heartfelt thank-you — an expression of our deep gratitude for their kindness, support, and friendship throughout the years. We are truly thankful for every good deed, every warm welcome, and every moment of genuine companionship.

We sincerely hope to continue this meaningful friendship and look forward to developing new projects together in the near future, strengthening our bond and serving our community side by side.

We pray that this friendship remains strong and lasting for many years to come.

With sincere thanks and appreciation.

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A traditional Turkish breakfast in a warm, welcoming space filled with conversation, laughter, and cultural exchange. It was a chance for our volunteers, board members, and friends to share stories, build friendships, and introduce our foundation’s new home and ongoing community efforts.

This gathering wasn’t just about food—it was about showing up for one another. Every smile, every plate shared, and every kind word was a reflection of love in action. Because at GRFS, we believe love isn’t just something we feel—it’s something we do.

The post Karen Redman Joins Us for Breakfast appeared first on GRFS.

Over the past months, we’ve been growing a wonderful relationship with Shantz Mennonite Church, whose beautiful facilities have hosted several of our larger events. We were delighted to have several couples from Shantz join us for this iftar, where warm conversations and meaningful stories were shared around the tables.

We’re excited about the growing connection between these two communities and the opportunities ahead to live out our shared belief that love is a verb.

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The evening began with a moving recitation from Surah Maryam, followed by the Adhan and a shared meal. GRFS volunteer Dr. Salih Ada provided an insightful talk on fasting in Islam, while Dr. Kristine Lund, Principal-Dean and Professor at Martin Luther University College, spoke about bridging divides and navigating ethical challenges in a polarized world.

We were honored to have Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, Liberal MP Valery Bradford, and Green MP Mike Morrice join us in sharing reflections on Ramadan, unity, and the inspiring work of GRFS youth.

The night was filled with warmth, connection, and a celebration of our shared values. Because love is a verb—it’s about showing up, learning from one another, and building a stronger community together.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this night possible—the volunteers, guests, speakers, and leaders who continue to support and uplift our community.

? Check out the moments from this unforgettable night!

The post Breaking Fast, Building Bridges appeared first on GRFS.

Before the meal, our Director of PR, Berat Berberoglu, introduced our mission at GRFS to the wonderful team at Gowling WLG. Our young volunteers shared insights into their programs, and Salih Ada gave an enlightening presentation on Ramadan and fasting.

As the call to prayer (Adhan) resonated, we came together to break our fast, sharing delicious food and meaningful conversations. ? It was a beautiful exchange of cultures, understanding, and unity.

A heartfelt thank you to Gowling WLG for their incredible hospitality. Your warm welcome made this gathering even more special. ?

Because at the end of the day, love is a verb—it’s in the moments we share, the kindness we extend, and the connections we build. ?

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MP Bradford presented a special certificate of recognition to GRFS, acknowledging our dedication to fostering inclusivity, support, and cultural connections in the community. We truly appreciate her encouragement and commitment to building stronger ties within our region.

The visit was made even more special by sharing a traditional Turkish breakfast, where we exchanged meaningful conversations over delicious food, reinforcing the power of unity and collaboration.

Moments like these remind us that love is a verb—it’s in our actions, in our service, and in the connections we build together.

The post A Special Visit from MP Valerie Bradford appeared first on GRFS.

MP Chagger shared her appreciation for the progress GRFS has made over the past year, and we deeply value her commitment to fostering inclusivity and collaboration. The highlight of the visit was sharing a traditional Turkish breakfast, a beautiful moment of cultural exchange and warm hospitality.

Together, we continue to build bridges, strengthen our community, and create a future filled with opportunity and support. Love is a verb, and today was a wonderful reminder of how small actions and genuine connections make a big difference.

The post A Warm and Inspiring Visit with MP Bardish Chagger appeared first on GRFS.

Tim Louis expressed his admiration for the incredible progress GRFS has made over the past year, which truly means a lot to us. He also delighted everyone with a beautiful piano performance that brought so much joy to the room! To top it all off, he enjoyed a delicious traditional Turkish breakfast, sharing in the warmth and hospitality that make our community so special.

It was truly a day filled with meaningful conversations, music, and shared moments of kindness. Love is a verb, and today reminded us of how powerful connection and collaboration can be.

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