EDMONTON – As part of their celebration of Canada 150, members of a leading North American Muslim group dropped of 150 gift bags for Edmonton’s homeless, to share festivities with them.

“It celebrates the spirit of Canada that we have,” Afshan Fatima, outreach co-ordinator for ICNA Sisters Edmonton, carrying gift bags in both hands, told Edmonton Journal.

“Sharing is caring,” she added.

Fatima is a member of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Sisters of Edmonton group.

The ICNA Sisters fundraised for their Uplift 150 for Canada 150 project, filling 150 reusable bags with treats and personal-care items.

The sisters hand delivered the gift bags last Thursday to people at Boyle Street Community Services at 10116 105 Ave.

Fatima said the group was inspired by the Canadian spirit of giving as well as an emphasis on charity encouraged through their religious beliefs.

“We are brothers and sisters in humanity, even if some are less fortunate,” Fatima said.

Muslims are the fastest growing religious community in Canada, according to the country’s statistical agency, Statistics Canada.

Canada’s Muslim population increased by 82 percent over the past decade – from about 579,000 in 2001 to more than 1 million in 2011.  Muslims represent 3.2 percent of Canada’s total population.