Ep 94 Being Celiac and Muslim in Canada

Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –
This week I have an enlightening conversation with Mona who is celiac and a Muslim Canadian. Mona tells us some of the particular issues with a diagnosis and the gluten free diet for someone from an Egyptian heritage. Mona has made efforts to help immigrants with language issues who need help as new celiacs to Canada. She has also worked with the Canadian Celiac Association. You can find the short video she was in for the CCA at the following link –
Mona’s Story – The Many Faces of Celiac Disease

Mona has set up a Facebook Group to communicate with the celiac Arabic community.  You can find the Facebook group with the following link –

http://bit.ly/MonasCeliacFBgroup

It will appear with Arabic letters next to these English letters. If you are interested in joining, just send a request.

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –
Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com
Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com
Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast
Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA
Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com
Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com
Instagram – @suesgfbaking
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL
(search Sues Gluten Free Baking)
Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com
Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –
Mona highlighted a very important need within the celiac community. It did not occur to me when I was diagnosed, that all the resources available to me, both information and food, might not be available to others diagnosed in other places or countries.
I became a member of the Canadian Celiac Association within a month of my diagnosis. This was a great strategy to get onboard with everything I needed to know. That was more than 20 years ago, before there was so much information online about how to eat gluten free. We tend to think now, that most of what we need to know can be found with a google search. And this may be true for us, in Canada.
We often forget that someone who doesn’t speak English, or French or live in a country with good labelling regulations has a further burden beyond just the gluten free diet. It was not so long ago that food shopping in Canada was more difficult because of the absence of gluten free labelling. We have come a long way.
I am encouraged by Mona’s commitment to others with counselling and a Facebook page. When I recorded this interview, Mona was in her home and I was in mine, in a different city. Since recording our conversation, I have had the opportunity to sit down with Mona face to face. She is making plans that will have a bigger impact on celiac patients, particularly in Egypt. I was excited to hear her ideas and am hoping to be able to assist her in the future.
I benefitted greatly from personal one-on-one counselling and assistance at the beginning of my journey, as I’m sure most of us did. It takes a special person to reach out to a segment of the celiac community with unique needs. I’m convinced Mona is up to the challenge.