From Mother Teresa to Prophet Muhammad to Siddhartha Gautama, major religious figures are revered for their generosity and comion towards the less fortunate. Religious-d groups at Queen’s strive to embody these same virtues through charity and advocacy initiatives in Kingston and abroad.
Guided by their faith, these groups fundraise for humanitarian relief around the world, of the local community, and create networks for marginalized students at Queen’s.
***
Islamic Relief at Queen’s University (IRQU) is a faith-inspired club that fundraises for humanitarian aid in communities experiencing drought, flooding, war, and famine. As a branch of Islamic Relief Canada (IRC), IRQU collaborates with other university branches to meet fundraising goals set by IRC.
“We remain guided by the timeless values and teachings of the Qur’an and the prophetic example (Sunnah),” IRC’s website explains.
Mariam Mohamed, ArtSci ’26, co-chair of IRQU, explained charity is a fundamental part of Islam, embodied by the pillar of Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam.
“Zakat requires Muslims to give a portion of our wealth to those in need, emphasizing that helping the less fortunate increases our wealth,” Mohamed said in a statement to The Journal. “Charity fosters empathy, community strength, and social justice, reinforcing the idea that wealth is from God and should be used to help others.”
Zakat is paid to eight categories of eligible groups, as set out by Surah Al-Tawbah, 9:60 in the Qu’ran. According to the Zakat Foundation of America, these groups include “The Poor (in dire need prevented from asking), the Indigent (whose destitution drives them to ask), those istering Zakat’s collection and distribution, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, those in bondage (slaves to be freed and captives), the Debt-Ridden, in the Cause of God, [and] the Wayfarer (stranded, displaced, or cut off from resources while traveling).”
IRQU’s recent fundraisers have focused on aid efforts in Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, and Sudan. Fundraisers also contribute to well-building and orphan sponsorship programs around the world. While many of IRC’s initiatives are based in Muslim countries, their work isn’t exclusive to the Muslim world.
In response to the famine-like conditions in East African countries like Kenya and Ethiopia, IRC has fundraised over $5 million to provide clean water, hygiene kits, food packs, and cash grants to impacted communities. IRC is also fundraising for global hunger relief, guided by Prophet Muhammad’s message, “they are not a believer who fills their stomach while their neighbour goes hungry.”
Mohamed, a global development studies student, ed IRQU because of the substantial need for NGOs and aid organizations during humanitarian crises.
“I ed this club because there’s a large need for aid efforts especially in Muslim countries, with the multiple genocides taking place across the Muslim world,” Mohamed said. “Being a part of Islamic Relief at Queen’s University is a way for me to give back and help out the Muslim community in any way that I can.”
Mohamed also clarified although the club is based on Islamic values, it’s not a religious organization.
“The primary objective of our organization is aid, regardless of religious affiliation,” Mohamed said.
Mohamed and the IRQU team organized Charity Week, their largest initiative of the year, this past October. During Charity Week, Islamic Relief branches across Canada collaborate with the Charity Week organization, whose projects provide emergency assistance and education to orphans and underprivileged children worldwide.
This year, IRQU raised over $5,000 for Charity Week projects in Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan, and Yemen. They organized a fundraising event for every day of Charity Week, including a bake sale at the Queen’s Centre, a Paint for Palestine night, and a boba-making night. These events were hosted in collaboration with other clubs at Queen’s, including Queen’s South Asian Association, Arab Students Association, Queen’s Asian Students Association, Queen’s University Muslim Students Association, and Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights.
In addition to fundraising initiatives, IRQU prioritizes advocacy for human rights, in line with the values of Islam.
“Advocacy is deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, as we are encouraged to stand for justice and speak out against oppression and inequality,” Mohamed said. “Advocacy in Islam is not only about speaking for the rights of Muslims but also for any community experiencing hardship, as a form of solidarity and comion.”
IRQU posts informative graphics on their Instagram to raise awareness about humanitarian crises in regions like Lebanon and Palestine, sharing calls to action that encourage their followers to donate to urgent causes. Mohamed also works to ensure club are well-informed about these crises prior to tabling events so they can engage in meaningful discussions with other students and clearly explain how donations are used.
“By raising awareness and addressing injustice, Muslims can contribute to creating a fairer world, uphold the principles of Islam, and help bring positive change, reflecting the faith’s commitment to social responsibility and moral integrity,” Mohamed said.
***
Queen’s Canterbury Club (QCC) is a Christian club that partakes in local charity and advocacy initiatives in collaboration with the Anglican Church on campus. QCC also works closely with the local Lutheran Church but welcomes from a variety of religious backgrounds, including atheist students. QCC’s also an affirming space for queer students.
“The mission of Queen’s Canterbury Club is to encourage post-secondary students to follow Jesus with intelligent and comionate faith,” club co-chair Meghan Corbett, Sci ’25, said in a statement to The Journal.
As is the case with many followers of the Christian faith, QCC are inspired by Jesus Christ in all their charity initiatives.
“Charity is the pure love of Christ, and the Savior is our ultimate example of how to love others,” the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints explains on their website.
Countless Bible stories describe the generosity of Jesus Christ and the sacrifices he made for others—most notably, his own life, as the National Christian Foundation (NCF) explains on their website.
“Jesus’ work included feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and welcoming the stranger and the outcast,” Corbett said. “We love God by loving our neighbours as ourselves.”
Every year, QCC participates in apple-picking for the Kingston Food Bank. This year, collected eight bushels of apples from the Spring Meadow Orchards that they donated to the Food Bank.
QCC also hosts charity initiatives for local students, including free dinners during exam periods to students during these stressful time periods.
In recent years, QCC has made it a priority to connect with local Indigenous communities and take steps towards Truth and Reconciliation. In particular, QCC has focused on establishing a respectful relationship with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, who inhabit the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte were historically victimized by the residential school system, in which the Church played an instrumental role.
However, the Mohawks acted as military allies of the Crown during the American Revolution, and the Christian faith grew to be quite prominent in their community. In fact, the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory’s home to Her Majesty’s Royal Chapel of the Mohawks, which is one of six Royal chapels outside Great Britain.
QCC’s working to educate its about this history by learning directly from of this First Nation, including the Anglican priests of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory who are of Mi’kmaq and Mohawk descent.
“[On Nov. 3], we visited Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory ourselves, and Chief Maracle and the people of their parish shared the story of the Mohawk people’s relationship with Christian spirituality, the Church, and the Crown with us,” Corbett said. “We were deeply touched by their gracious and generous hospitality.”
QCC’s advocacy initiatives extend beyond Truth and Reconciliation. Corbett explained the club discusses current social and climate justice issues from a Christian perspective at weekly events. Recent topics of discussion have included Faith, Fear & Terrorism, the Christian Presence in the Holy Land, and Climate Change and the Gospel.
These discussions encourage club to make advocacy a part of their own lives, an important part of the Christian faith according to Corbett.
“We are called to “do justice, love kindness and walk humbly” with God (Micah 6:8),” Corbett said. “Charity can only take you so far. Systemic problems call for a systemic response.”
***
Seva Queen’s is a charity and student network founded on Sikh teachings. It’s based on the Sikh principle of Seva, or selfless service. According to the UK Sikh Missionary Society, Seva is a key aspect of Sikhism, a religion in which the highest service to God is serving humanity. Seva must not be done out of self-centredness, or Haumai.
In Sikhism, Haumai is seen as the source of all vices as well as the root cause of human suffering. It is Haumai that traps the soul in a cycle of reincarnation, preventing it from achieving spiritual liberation, Mukti, and union with God.
Seva must also be performed indiscriminately, with no regard to an individual’s caste, race, or religion. For this reason, Seva Queen’s is open to students of all religious affiliations.
Amrit Singh, Comm ‘26, and Ravneet Sehmbi, Comm ’26, founded Seva Queen’s in July with the goal of giving back to the Smith School of Business and the broader Kingston community.
“We started Seva because we personally experienced how challenging it can be to enter the business world without a pre-established network,” Singh said in a statement to The Journal.
By observing how connected peers often secured internships, Singh realized how much harder it is for marginalized students—for instance, people of colour, those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, or first or second-generation students—to access similar opportunities, even when they have the skills and drive.
To marginalized students in their professional development, Seva hosts “Q&A” sessions, seminars, and case competitions for students of all ages. From Nov. 10 to 27, Seva is hosting a case competition in collaboration with Strategy&, the global strategy consulting team at PwC.
Given the slow pace of Seva’s case competition compared to many others catered to business students, participants will have opportunities for ongoing coaching, networking, and from mentors, professors, and experienced students. On Nov. 20, all groups will present their refined projects, and the top 4 groups will move on to a final round of presentations to Strategy& on Nov. 27.
“Many students simply need a little extra guidance to network effectively and confidently,” Singh said. “Our goal was to create a club that helps students develop these skills from the ground up.”
Beyond projects that focus on helping other students at Queen’s, Seva has organized initiatives that unhoused and lower-income individuals in the Kingston community.
This past October, Seva began a collaboration with Martha’s Table, the Kingston Gurudwara, the Queen’s Law Sikh Student Association, and the Queen’s Sikh Student Association to host a community Langar.
“Langar, initiated by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, is a core Sikh tradition that embodies the principles of equality, selfless service, and community spirit,” according to a post on Seva’s Instagram. “Langar involves the preparation and serving of free meals to all, irrespective of caste, gender, religion, or socio-economic status.”
Seva’s community Langar is ongoing, having already raised $1,500 towards their goal of serving 200 plus free meals.
“Sikhi teaches that true spirituality is found in uplifting others—regardless of faith, background, or social status—and serving the community, making charity an essential expression of Sikh values and a way of life,” Singh said.
Singh and Sehmbi hope to continue organizing charity and advocacy initiatives as their club grows.
Advocacy’s a key aspect of Sikhism, stemming from the Sikh principle of Sarbat da Bhala, or “well-being of all.” Sarbat da Bhala is one of the most important principles of Sikhism, marking the end of the Sikh daily prayer, Ardas. This term is repeated throughout Sikh scriptures and is reiterated by several gurus, or spiritual guides.
“Sikhs are encouraged to defend the rights of those who are marginalized or oppressed, acting as a voice for those who may not have one,” Singh said. “By advocating for others, Sikhs embody the values of comion, courage, and integrity, making advocacy a natural extension of their faith and dedication to creating a more just and equitable society.”
***
The Journal reached out to several other religious-d groups at Queen’s, including Queen’s Hindu Students Council and Rainbow Jews Kingston. These groups are committed primarily to advocacy, both on social media and on campus.
Queen’s Hindu Students Council (QHSC) was founded in November 2023 and is the only group representing Hindu students on campus.
“Our goal goes beyond just forming a club,” QHSC wrote in an Instagram post on Nov. 8, 2023. “It is about fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment among Hindu students, and most importantly, upholding dharma.”
Dharma is a Sanskrit term that reflects the eternal cosmic law, a key principle in Hinduism and other Asian religions, embodying a number of values such as selflessness and equality.
“Having love for all human beings–including all and excluding none–is dharma,” QHSC’s post explained. “Helping others ahead of personal gain is the dharma of those who follow the path of selfless service.”
Last November, QHSC hosted a dinner and discussion about the intersection of antisemitism and hinduphobia. They have started this year by sharing an informative post about the Hindu festival Navaratri, which lasted from Oct. 3 to 12.
Rainbow Jews Kingston is also committed to advocacy, focusing specifically on creating a safe space for 2SLGBTQIA+ students in Kingston. Some of their past events include rainbow challah bakes, queer Seders, Shabbat dinners, and tie-dye events.
As stated on their Instagram , Rainbow Jews prides itself in being “a safe and welcoming community for LGBTQ2+ Jewish students,” providing acceptance, understanding, and a place to be authentically yourself.
“Reform Judaism has a long and proud history of working for the full inclusion and affirmation of LGBTQ+ people in Jewish life and for their full civil rights,” according to Rabbi Victor Appell.
This principle of Reform Judaism is rooted in the belief that all humans are created b’tzelem Elohim, or “in the Divine image.” This is ed by Genesis 1:27, which states, “And God created humans in God’s own image, in the image of God, God created them; male and female God created them.”
Jewish people also uphold the tradition of tzedakah, the Hebrew word meaning “justice” or “righteousness.” In Judaism, helping others is seen as a mitzvah—an act of generosity and justice where tzedakah is an obligation Jewish people have with God to help bring fairness to the world.
***
At a time when many young people feel hopeless about social justice issues beyond their control, religious students have been mobilized by their faith to continue tackling injustices and ing the less fortunate.
Guided by principles like zakat, seva, and dharma, on-campus religious groups strive to make their world vision a reality. These groups have different goals, some even conflicting with each other, but they’re united in their strength of conviction and determination.
Tags
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be ed, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to [email protected].