São Paulo – Refugees living in the capital of São Paulo enjoyed a day of social action this Monday (20), on World Refugee Day, at the Immigrant Citizenship Integration Center (CIC), in the Bela Vista neighborhood. From early morning, food baskets were distributed, and tests for hypertension and diabetes were offered to foreigners who also received clothing and oral hygiene kit donations on-site.
The initiative was promoted by the Justice and Citizenship Secretariat of the State of São Paulo, with the participation of the Federation of Muslim Associations of Brazil (Fambras), Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Red Cross, and the São Paulo state section of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB).
Five hundred food baskets were collected for delivery to refugees, of which 100 were donated by the ABCC, 100 by the Red Cross, and 300 by Fambras. The participation of Fambras is part of the Solidarity Islam program carried out by the entity, which also has the support of the certification branch Fambras Halal.
Refugees attended the Immigrant CIC this Monday to receive the baskets and participate in an event celebrating the action and World Refugee Day. Several authorities, institutions, and organizations involved with the matter were present. The ABCC was represented by director Claudia Haddad, Institutional Relations director Fernanda Baltazar, and Marketing and Content director Silvana Gomes.
Haddad spoke to the attendants and recalled Brazil was built by immigrants and descendants, like the 12 million of Arab origin who currently live in the country. “We know the harsh reality of people who come here looking for opportunities and safety to rebuild their lives in a dignified way,” she said. “Our role is to ensure these people, forced to leave their homeland, are welcomed with respect,” she said.
The president of Fambras, Mohamed Hussein El Zoghbi, also spoke to the refugees about the importance of the work of immigrants and refugees for the development of Brazil. The executive secretary of Justice and Citizenship, Luiz Orsatti Filho, said São Paulo is the Brazilian state that receives the most immigrants as refugees and thanked the foreigners present for having chosen Brazil.
Several authorities spoke at the event, with speeches defending respect and dignity in treating refugees, remembering the challenging path forced displacement implies, showing solidarity, and thanking the refugees for their presence and collaboration with Brazil. “I hope they feel protected here and choose to stay,” said Layla Palis Pinheiro from the São Paulo State International Relations Department.
Also participating in the occasion were the vice president of Fambras, Ali Zoghbi; the director of Institutional Relations of Fambras, Delduque Martins; the head of the UNHCR office in São Paulo, Maria Beatriz Bonna Nogueira; the coordinator of Projects of the Red Cross, André Vitor; the president of the Immigrant and Refugee Rights Commission of São Paulo OAB, Carla Mustafa; and the coordinator of the CIC, Claudia Calvé.
Solidarity Islam
Fambras holds the Solidarity Islam initiative at different times of the year. It takes place in public spaces, including educational centers on the outskirts of São Paulo city, aiding up to 25,000 people a day. Ali Zoghbi said the activities could range from offering 17 types of medical exams, including eye check-ups with donations of eyeglasses, documentation and legal services, and leisure activities with toys for children, among others.
In some actions, Fambras has the support of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian & Charity Foundation. 24 de Março School, which offers technical education in the health area, also participates in Islam Solidarity. “One cannot be a Muslim, sleeping while a neighbor is hungry,” said Ali Zoghbi, explaining solidarity must be part of Muslim life.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
