Ramadan in Canada: Festive Iftars and Community Unity
How Muslim Communities Across Canada Observe Ramadan
Muslim Canadians are preparing to welcome the Holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Thursday (March 23th) and ends on April 21.
The country prides itself on multiculturalism and embracing the religions of all newcomers. The Canadian Multiculturalism Act ensures that all people in Canada, regardless of their immigration status, have the right to freedom of belief without persecution.
In Canada, the Muslim community is diverse and multicultural, and Ramadan is celebrated in many different ways. Here are some examples:
- Breaking the fast (iftar) with family and friends: Many Muslims in Canada gather with family and friends to break their fast each evening during Ramadan. This is often a festive occasion with special foods and drinks, and an opportunity to strengthen community bonds.
- Community events: Many mosques and Islamic centers across Canada organize community iftars, where Muslims of all ages and backgrounds come together to break their fast and celebrate Ramadan. These events often include prayers, Quran recitation, and lectures from religious scholars.
- Charity and social justice: Ramadan is also a time of giving and helping those in need. Many Muslim organizations in Canada organize charity drives and volunteer events to support the less fortunate during the month of Ramadan.
- Night prayers (Taraweeh): Muslims often pray additional prayers at night during Ramadan, called Taraweeh. Many mosques in Canada offer Taraweeh prayers in congregation, and some even hold all-night prayer vigils during the last ten days of Ramadan.
- Festivals and celebrations: At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, a festival that marks the end of fasting and the beginning of a new month. In Canada, many Muslim communities organize Eid celebrations with food, music, and other festivities.
Another aspect of Ramadan is giving money to those who are less fortunate, known as Zakat. Zakat is purely monetary, and it is expected that those who make above a certain level of income will give some of their money to charity. During Ramadan, charitable organizations across Canada will host iftars and other large events to raise money for the less fortunate Muslims, both in Canada and abroad.
There are over 20 mosques in each of Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, and Calgary. Observant Muslims pray five times a day throughout the entire year but during Ramadan, it is encouraged to spend more time in prayer. Some Muslims take time to recite Tarawih, which means reading portions of the Qur’an each day throughout the month. This can be done at home or the mosque.
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