The Malaysian Mother Teresa of Montreal
Dear friends around the world,
I recently came across reports of this wonderful, compassionate and altruistic lady from Malaysia who has been carrying out great deeds for decades. I am always inspired by such exceptional people who live their lives for the benefit of others and so my students have put together a compendium of her work. Do read on.
I am extremely touched and motivated by this lady from Malaysia. Thank you “Makcik” Sabariah for being such a wonderful example to all of us.
Tsem Rinpoche
A Malaysian Mother Teresa of Montreal
Born in Johor, Sabariah Hussein’s family lived in Singapore for many years after her father secured a job as a teacher there in the 1950s. Growing up as one of six children, she saw charity being practised often by her parents, helping the needy on a regular basis. She is quoted saying,
“It’s in the genes. Cannot be helped. After all, that is what Islam teaches us.”
Her family returned to Malaysia after her father retired. After her parents had passed away and following a short stint working in Saudi Arabia, Sabariah got a job working as a special education teacher in Canada in 1985. She subsequently became a permanent resident there after her marriage to Michel Paul Alain who is also known by his Muslim name, Mohamad Ali Abdullah.
Following in her parents’ footsteps, she has been giving back by helping people out. It all began some 18 years ago when she sighted homeless in the town she lived in. She would offer them sandwiches she made at home. Besides the homeless, she would also invite a few Muslim sisters, who were begging for a living, to her house for a meal as she knew very well that staying on the streets could be really terrifying.
Troubled by what she saw and desperate to help the women get off the street, Sabariah eventually opened up her own home to them for a couple of months, to shelter them from the cold. She even thought of getting an apartment for them to live in, if and when she had enough money.
This led her to approach the Muslim Students Association of the University of Concordia near her home. It was a success as the students subsequently obtained permission for her to sell food items within the university’s premises to raise money for the apartment.
She started selling chicken biryani and salad, and was allowed to use the university’s kitchen to prepare the meals. With this, she made 200 to 300 dollars a day, and when more people learned about her cause, they gave her additional money for the apartment. She also received tithe funds. That was how her women’s shelter in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, which is open to all women regardless of spiritual inclination, came about.
She is also very involved in the provision of thousands of meals at mosques spread throughout Montreal and also to anyone in need, regardless of race, religion or gender, working closely with River’s Edge Community Church and Unity Church. The Anglican Church, the Peace Initiative and The Rivers Edge Community Church in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce also supply her with necessities as needed.
Sabariah prepares meals for up to 300 people a day from her apartment. From there, a team of volunteers helps her feed the homeless, refugees, or indeed anyone who wants a hot meal. During the month of Ramadhan, she cooks for up to 1,000. She says that the reason for her charity is simple – feeding others brings joy and happiness. She has told CTV News,
“This is the happiness of my life, to see the smiles on people’s faces.”
Earlier this month, Sabariah garnered worldwide attention after a video documenting her contributions to the homeless community was published by Zinc. When the video of her feeding the homeless in Montreal was shared all over social media, people wondered how the cheerful 70-year-old woman who is Malaysia-born ended up in Canada.
She has gained the title “Muslim Mother Teresa” among locals for her hard work for the community, without receiving any aid from the Canadian government.
She has had her fair share of hardships throughout the years. In 2004 and 2005, she suffered two mild strokes. The first stroke occurred while she was asleep, right after she was done fundraising for the Indonesian tsunami victims. She ended up sleeping for three days straight, presumably from exhaustion. However, it wasn’t until she suffered her second stroke that doctors discovered her three-day sleep was actually a coma!
Sabariah is currently working with Human Concern International to help fund an orphanage for young Rohingya Muslims who are victims of ethnic cleansing in Myanmar. She has won multiple awards for her contributions, and even had the chance to meet Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. Unfortunately, she could not find the time to meet him because she was so busy helping the needy. She told Zinc,
“I really hope I will meet him one day so I can make him my favourite noodles, Malaysian style!”
She says she hopes the next generation will carry on her legacy.
“You need to help as many people as you can. You have the ability, you go out there and do it. Help to serve the homeless and the defenceless. I have served Muslims in church, and they come because they know I’m serving food there. The more you mix with people, the more you understand and love each other better. Show love, show passion. We are compassionate people.”
You can follow Sabariah’s work on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/SisterSabriaFoundation/
Sources:
- http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/how-a-muslim-woman-from-malaysia-became-the-mother-teresa-of-montreal#S3YCeSTWsw5WtzFo.99
- http://www.worldofbuzz.com/malaysian-woman-dubbed-muslim-mother-teresa-canadians-heres/
- http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/why-a-70-year-old-woman-cooks-for-hundreds-from-her-montreal-apartment-1.3468914
- http://aboutislam.net/muslim-issues/america/meet-montreals-muslim-mother-teresa/
- http://m.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/how-a-muslim-woman-from-malaysia-became-the-mother-teresa-of-montreal
- http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/how-a-muslim-woman-from-malaysia-became-the-mother-teresa-of-montreal#uahRs8s0PJHRuYxA.97
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This lady is truly inspiring. She started small in her own kitchen and doing that she can afford to help and then eventually she grew bigger as she has more resources. She did not have any form of assistance from the government and she can do it on her own. Her willpower and compassionate heart are really admirable.
People like her is just like a bodhisattva selflessly working for the benefits of others.
Colder countries, people need to have a lot of more clothing and more expenditure for their livelihood. So being in temperate countries is quite challenging and more expensive.
Still it is a blessing to hear of this Malaysian lady who out of her deep compassion, helps the less fortunate in Montreal.
“She says that the reason for her charity is simple – feeding others brings joy and happiness.” Sabariah Hussein’s philosophy in life is simple yet profound. She is driven by the simple fact that people need help. She opens her own home to provide temporary shelter who those in need.
What’s amazing is that she carried on after going through 2 strokes and a coma. Her selflessness to serving the needy regardless of race, religion and gender also opened doors for her to work together with Christian charities. Interfaith harmony is something to celebrate because it is the kindness and compassion that bring humanity together.
Machik Sabariah left her home country of Malaysia for Canada. Yet she adapted to the new country and did what she had always been exposed to by her own family style of feeding people and taking care of others. Interesting that she humbly called this generosity of hers as being genetic.
It is awesome to read about this former Malaysian lady with a big heart and took actions to feed many regardless of race, religion or gender.
It is due to her kindness that when she was struck by stroke and slept for 3 days but yet not damaged at all, even when doctors confirmed that the 3 day sleep was that MaChik was in a coma. Kindness begat kindness from the divine.
It is a heartwarming story of a simple lady with a one track mind of help others. We don’t see this type of devotion much anymore, as people are trying very hard to get ahead nowadays, devotion towards a cause without caring about recognition, without wanting what the next person has / enjoys and without wanting limelight is very rare. Happy to read the story of Muslim Mother Theresa, she is a shining example to all of us. Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing.
Another great individual, Makcik Sabariah, showing us that
we should not give/help another who is in need ONLY when we are available / having extra. We should give as much as possible at all time as there are many who really need helps and what we give might save lives.
Inspiring of Makcik Sabriah story with her background single handed helping homeless people Canada. Is nice to see Malaysian have warmth heart helping others. This is what i like about being Malaysia explose with different religion yet there live harmony in society. I believe as human, we did not wish to see others are suffering, we will help others when they needed.
Kechara Soup Kitchen inpiring by H.E.Tsem Rinpoche with his devotee student and volunteer started giving food to homeless people in Malaysia. Currently KSK even expend their service to food bank, give free treatment for sick people and helping homeless find job. I hope more and more people able to get help among our sociaty just like Makcik Sabriah selflessly helping homeless people at foreign county.
What an inspiration lady that selflessly helping the homeless and poverty. Being selfless and go all the way to give, is the best way to live our life. What make her happy from her noble work is just a smile from the people that she helped. Her big heart doesn’t stop her believe in what she can do to help the people even in a foreign country. She manage everything by herself with passion and pure motivation and with that so many people benefited.
This is really similar to what H.E. Tsem Rinpoche has been doing and teaches us to be compassion and focus out for others. Due to Rinpoche’s experience and compassion as Rinpoche knows how being a homeless look like, it’s inspired Rinpoche to set up Kechara Soup Kitchen that helped many people in Malaysia.
We can see here people with great compassion create legacy and inspired people to live their life meaningfully.
It is very thoughtful of Rinpoche sharing this article. Makcik Sabariah resembles much on Rinpoche’s attitude on being generous and show kindness and love to people regardless of their backgrounds especially the homeless.
I like to read when she mentioned how she started giving food to the homeless and even inviting them to her home for meal which show Makcik Sabariah is a very warmth and friendly lady. In my opinion, I think with her kind, friendly, loving nature earn her many respect and admiration of her success even including the Prime Minister too. Very impressive! 👍
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this wonderful article. 🙏
It is selfless people like Sabariah Hussein, Mother Teresa, Kyabje Tsem Rinpoche that give real meaning to the word Compassion. Just like Sabariah Hussein, Rinpoche has always helped the less fortunate wherever he goes and Rinpoche founded Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) which was officially registered in 2008 in Malaysia. Today, KSK not only distribute food to the homeless but also give surplus food collected from supermarkets and wholesalers to the urban poor; provide free medical services and other community services to the needy in Malaysia. KSK wish to expand the free medical services by having a
mobile clinic to tend to outpatient sickness and illness for the needy. Also, KSK wish to start a nurture centre to give free skill training to the homeless so they can find employment and leave the streets. The nurture centre would also be open to the poor who could not afford to pay the fee at regular skill learning places. KSK committee hope that the mobile clinic and nurture centre would materialise soon with the generosity of kind Malaysians.
This article make me remind of Rinpoche previous article ( https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/personal-attendant/high-low.html ).
What “Makcik” Sabariah did really touched my heart deeply.
Highly commanded another article to read for : https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/current-affairs/louis-tse-does-something-incredible.html
For a 70 year old, she is simply amazing! How inspirational to read about her efforts, kindness and love for people regardless their race just like Kechara Soup Kitchen (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/kechara-soup-kitchen-ksk/why-i-conceived-of-kechara-soup-kitchen-or-ksk.html) started by Rinpoche. The difference is, Rinpoche Himself, experienced homelessness and know how hard it is to be one, hence KSK is setup to help the less fortunate.
Makcik Sabariah is a great motivation for many as she shows that kindness does not discriminate. Her parents raised her well!
Without hesitation, she invite people home so that they can have a safe haven. How thoughtful. Even at her age, she does so much for others. Thinking of others more than herself. Truly selfless. And, imagine yourself being too busy to meet your president?
At the age of 70 years old, have 2 times stroke, been coma for 3 days, She has more excuses than anyone for not doing all these, but yet, all these never stop her for serving others and helping others, she still go all out to help and help and help and help others.
As what Rinpoche always said, looking at the children’s behavior and action, we will know what type of parents they have, Sabariah really represented her parents well, she has inherited her parent’s qualities and she is extending it to others, with her devotion on her community work, she has attracted many people to come help, this is really great indeed.
I specially love it when reading the part where she is working with different churches to serve foods, and she is a Muslim, I always believe between religion, there shouldn’t have any conflict because all religion teaches loving kindness.
Ms Sabariah really deserve the title of Muslim Mother Teresa.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this inspiring story . Madam Sabariah has realise that happiness come from helping others this way of attain happiness is not only apply in Buddhism in others religion as well, if more and more people become religious then the world will be very wonderful to live in.
Thank you Tsem rinpoche and blog team for the article. A very touching article. Madam Sabariah so kind of her and understanding by preparing food for the homeless. A good example for everyone not only for the specific religion but to all the religion out there.
A Malaysian mother Teresa ……Sabariah is such a compassionate lady that was named as Mother Teresa of Montreal. She is one kind soul helping the homeless regardless of race and religion. She understand the pain and sufferings of the people especially students had gone through without food. She was brought up in away she saw how her parents had the unprivileged and she is following their foot steps. She was an education teacher ,saw the foreign students and many of the students struggling in their daily expenses that she decided to provide foods and even shelter for them. Sabariah has indeed inspired many people to volunteer and to help each other . She has spent her life helping and giving where she found happiness doing so. May she live long to inspired more people .
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this inspiring lady who stood up in a foreign country and made Malaysia proud.
First of all, I want salute to Makcik Sabariah for her good and virtuous deeds in helping many people who need shelter and foods. The actions of Sabariah can inspire our society to give more love and care to anyone around us.
Sabariah devoted his life to bring happiness to those in needs. Just like a mothers give love to their children.
Thanks Rinpoche and writer teams to post this inspiring article. Well done!
Jason
Puan Sabariah really has a big heart. Puan Sabariah Hussein, who has spent most of her resources, strength, time and energies to help the homeless people and refugees by giving them food and drinks. At the age of 70, still can be so active and serving the needy. Very proud of her achievement. My deepest respect to her. May all of us be inspired by Puan Sabariah and follow her good example in helping the needy spontaneously all the time. Thank you very much Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this inspiring story 🙏😍
Mak Cik Sabariah is indeed the Malaysian Mother Teresa of Montreal. At 70 years she is still working tirelessly for the less privileged. My deepest respect to her. Her kindness and compassion to all is irrespective of race, religion and creek.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the inspiring article written about respected Puan Sabariah Hussein, who has spent most of her resources, strength, time and energies to help the homeless people and refugees by giving them food and drinks. There is no qualification required to help the needy but requires our consistent effort, selflessness, compassion and most importantly is willingly to reduce the suffering of others no matter what it takes from us. The real spiritual practice should bring benefits to others either in physical aspect such as food, clothing and shelter to live or mentally aspect in the form of good advice, moral teachings, motivation and even encouragement to help others.
Puan Sabariah has shown and practiced equanimity to help anyone regardless of race, religion or gender that can bring so much peace, harmony and happiness to the people within the vicinity surrounding her. May all of us be inspired by Puan Sabariah and follow her good example in helping the needy spontaneously all the time.
Humbly with folded hands,
kin hoe
Compassion , kindness and love comes from the inner selfs regardless of believes, religion , races or age.
🙏🙏🙏
Madam Sabariah shower the homeless with her love by providing free food and free accommodation regardless of religion and ethnicity
This remind me of His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche teaching Five ways to love more.
(https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/five-ways-to-love-more-by-tsem-rinpoche.html)
Well done Madam Sabariah and keep up
Thanks Rinpoche and other for sharing
Makcik Sabariah, you are amazing. At the age of 70, still can be so active and serving the needy. Very proud of her achievement. May her work inspired more compassionate people to do the same and make the world a better one.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
A beautiful soul at her 70 named Sabariah Hussein, who a Malaysian citizen born in Johor Bahru still insisted and devoted helping the needy on a regular basis. The reason for her charity is simple: feeding others brings her joy.
Although she is a Muslim, she works closely with River’s Edge Community Church and Unity Church. She also set up a women’s shelter for those in need regardless of races and religious. This is a true spiritual practitioner who brings love and kindness to others tirelessly and selflessly.
Puan Sabariah really has a big heart. She cooks and serves everyone regardless of race as she only wants to bring joy, happiness and warm food to the homeless. It is already not easy to cook for 20 or 30 person but she managed to cook for 300 a day from her apartment and even up to 1,000 during Ramadhan. Her work it a great inspiration to many and great reminder to always love and help people no matter what their background is. And now at 70 years old still continue working to help the refugees. So we also should not give up helping others and don’t use age as an excuse.
Puan Sabariah Hussein is an inspiration to all. She believes in helping everyone regardless of race or creed or religion. She is well supported by the various church groups in her hometown of Montreal which speaks volumes for the work she is doing. A truly compassionate person who shows what being spiritual means and what following the teachings of her religion means i.e. to be kind, compassionate, loving and equitable.
Thank you for highlighting the good work of people like Puan Sabariah Hussein that she may be an inspiration for the next generation to take over the mantle.