Calgary volunteers help Muslim farmer after his hard work was targeted by vandals
A group of volunteers are helping a Muslim farmer rebuild after a series of incidents of vandalism on the land where he works.
Mohamed Eldaher tends to a vegetable farm just outside of Calgary.
This year, he says he's been dealing with multiple incidents he believes may be connected to his race or religion. The Syrian immigrant says garbage is constantly dumped on his property and someone attempted to destroy his greenhouse with their vehicle.
But on Saturday, something happened that made him fear for the lives of his wife and children. Eldaher says he came to the plot to find his fence broken and tire tracks over parts of his crop.
"I'm very sad and very angry," he told CTV News. "Why? What (did) I do?"
However, an outpouring of support from Calgarians this week has changed Eldaher's outlook on the situation.
"I'm feeling good," he said. "Many (are now) saying, 'Mohamed, it's not only you here. We are beside you.'"
Dozens of volunteers showed up to Eldaher's farm on Saturday to help weed his property and to finish building a homemade greenhouse.
Strangers, neighbours and friends have also donated money to put up a new fence for Eldaher and to install security cameras.
He's only been in Canada for five years, but the man who helped Eldaher get on his feet says he's already a popular figure in the community.
"I really admire the gusto of people like Mohamed," land owner Abdullah Chybli said. "He has a good attitude and is grateful in any situation."
The co-founder of the Calgary Immigrant Support Society, which helped organize the weekend's support, echoed Chybli.
"When something really bad happens, they always say counter that with something really big and good," Saima Jamal said. "And so that's what's happening here. This is the really big and good thing."
Anyone looking to financially help Eldaher can visit the Calgary Immigrant Support Society group on Facebook.
Volunteers will be on site Sunday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. continuing to work.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.