Surrey, August 30, The Habitat Welfare Foundation Canada (HWFC), a non-profit organization based in British Columbia, held its first-ever community engagement program on Saturday at Guildford Library, Surrey. The event, titled “Meet and Greet with Newcomers in Canada,” brought together local community leaders, sponsors, and a large number of Rohingya refugees.
The program was presided over by HWFC President Md Nasir Howlader, with Vice-President Md Nazmul Hasan also in attendance. Light snacks and refreshments were generously sponsored by Sawa Community Society and Saifur Rahman Khan.
Special guests included Mohammad Naseer Pirzada, Chief Editor of The Miracle News; Shahrukh Naseer Pirzada, Regulated
Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC); Mahmood Al-Ani, Founder of Sawa
Community Society; and local realtor Jahir Uddin.
During the session, Rohingya refugees
received valuable guidance on navigating essential aspects of settlement in Canada, including taxation, healthcare access, housing, and the legal framework. President Md Nasir Howlader provided a practical demonstration on completing paperwork for GST/HST credit applications, ensuring that participants left with clear and applicable knowledge.
Participants also shared their personal stories and challenges as newcomers, highlighting issues such as complex paperwork and integration barriers. Many expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect with community leaders and receive direct support. The program concluded with closing remarks from Mohammad Naseer Pirzada, who encouraged the newcomers with motivational advice and practical suggestions for building a strong foundation in Canada.
HWFC organizers expressed their commitment to continuing such initiatives to empower refugees and newcomers, fostering a more inclusive and supportive community in Surrey and beyond.
