The death of a young individual during a significant religious observance for Muslims has prompted calls from Winnipeg’s Islamic community for increased mental health support.
According to Winnipeg police, they received a distress call regarding a man with self-inflicted injuries at the Waverley Grand Mosque on Saturday afternoon.
Hakim Ghulam, a board member at the Manitoba Islamic Association, informed CBC News on Sunday that the youth self-immolated following afternoon prayers and succumbed to his injuries later that night.
Ghulam expressed condolences, stating, “It’s a family who lost their loved one, and we are with them and with others who are struggling in this difficult time.” He emphasized the importance of reflecting on the incident.
Both the Islamic Association and the police refrained from disclosing the youth’s identity out of respect for the family, but Ghulam disclosed that the individual was grappling with mental health issues.
The incident occurred on the eve of Eid al-Adha, a multi-day celebration honoring the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim.
Over 15,000 individuals attended prayers at the RBC Convention Centre on Sunday, with additional services held in French at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre.
The Waverley mosque remained unoccupied on Sunday afternoon, with certain areas inaccessible to the public.
In response, the association issued a statement on Sunday, urging for improved access to mental health resources.
“On this day of Eid, otherwise a day of celebration, our community is deeply saddened,” the statement read, citing global issues such as the conflict in Gaza affecting Muslims worldwide.
“We cannot attain positive mental health amidst a world characterized by racism, Islamophobia, and genocide. Addressing mental health concerns requires prioritizing mental health as a fundamental aspect of overall health.”
Ghulam noted that the association has mental health counselors but stressed the need for collective action, including involvement from politicians, to address community-wide mental health challenges.
“We must collaborate and extend care to one another,” he emphasized.
