Credit to Author: Ramya Ramanathan| Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2019 00:14:52 +0000

“When we celebrate the Raptors we are more alike than we are different” says Raptors fan and immigrant success story Mohamad Fakih

Sports has a way of breaking down barriers and fostering positive connections. The recent NBA playoffs brought together people from all cultures and communities from across Canada to rally around the Toronto Raptors. Mohamed Fakih, CEO of Paramount Fine Foods, 2017 RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant award winner, philanthropist and huge Raptors fan celebrates and speaks about the Raptors win and the impact of sports for Toronto and Canada.

What does supporting the Raptors mean to you?

Supporting the Raptors means supporting a team that represents a diverse community. You feel more than welcomed; you feel accepted. It’s a beautiful feeling, people from all backgrounds celebrating and cheering together. We are even able to stand shoulder to shoulder and pray in our diverse ways to support a city and a country that has accepted us and brought us together.

Mohamed Fakih, president & CEO, Paramount Fine Foods (right) with Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia (left) praying each in their own way for the Raptors to win. Both are past winners of the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards. [Photo Courtesy M. Fakih]

We become what we celebrate. When we celebrate the Raptors we are more alike than we are different. We must focus more on the things that join us than the things that divide us. As immigrants we look for ways to fit in and be part of the community. It means a lot to me that I belong and the love I have for the city of Toronto makes me support them, it’s what makes me proud.

What do you believe is the impact of sport in building community?
I understand how important it is for immigrant communities to get involved in sport. Sport is especially important to our youth, and we bring all youth – immigrant and non-immigrant – together under the roof of the Paramount Fine Foods Centre (in Mississauga). Sports unite and attract youth and what attracts youth attracts families.

What does being Canadian mean to you?
There is no limitation. This is a country that is giving us a hundred percent opportunity. The same rules apply to the people who came ages ago and those who came five days ago. It’s very important that we give great appreciation to a country and society that provided the opportunity and that should be front and centre in the way we build our life, culture, business and a company.
I come from a country of war and for someone like me Canada is an oasis with almost magical qualities. A country of rights and freedom, that brings families together from different backgrounds. Seeing people at the Raptors games, cheering and celebrating together and taking pride in this place we call home, that’s what it means to be Canadian.

What message do you have for newcomers?
For the people who want to come here and succeed, don’t put one leg here and one leg there (in your homeland). Once you are here, keep your focus here and be more engaged in the community. You need to show up, volunteer, and become part of the community – whether it is through sports, or showing up to events, or befriending people from different backgrounds. Ask yourselves some important questions. How many people do you know from different backgrounds? Are you inclusive enough? It is very important that we send a message that we love this county.

Read article about the what the Raptor’s win means for integration: Sports is common ground. Let’s go Raptors! 

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