'A time for community to get together': Muslims begin month-long fast for Ramadan
The Muslim community in Manitoba and around the world began this year’s fasting month of Ramadan, entering a period of worship.
The holy month kicked off last night with the first sighting of the crescent moon.
For the 30 days of Ramadan, Muslims will fast from dawn until dusk. At night, family and friends come together for a festive feast. Fasting is aimed at bringing people closer to God, and serves as a reminder of the suffering of the less fortunate.
“It’s a time for the community to get together, fast, become religious, reflect on the past year and the coming year, and really celebrate the month of Ramadan,” said Ruheen Aziz, a board member with the Manitoba Islamic Association.
Aziz said Ramadan is a significant and spiritual month for Muslims as it marks the time when the Quran was released to the Prophet Muhammad.
She added that fasting is also a big aspect of the month, but that it’s not only about refraining from food and drink.
“It’s also a time to fast from, maybe, your daily activities that have kept you busy in the worldly life,” Aziz said,
“It’s also a time to really get strong in your spiritual activities. You’ll find that a lot of Muslims will take time off work if they can or refrain from any extra social activities.”
Ramadan ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which typically includes communal prayers, celebratory gatherings and festive meals.
This Friday night, Winnipeggers are invited to break the fast with the Manitoba Islamic Association at the Grand Mosque on Waverley. All are welcome, but you are asked to register ahead of time.
“This is a great opportunity to learn what it is to be part of Ramadan and we welcome all to it,” Aziz said.
- With files from CTV’s Devon McKendrick.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
The pros and cons of discussing mental health issues in the workplace
A group of lawyers has written what they call a groundbreaking book about how mental health is perceived in the legal profession.
A candidate for Germany's key party was beaten up while campaigning for European elections
A candidate for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left party in next month's election for the European Parliament was beaten up and seriously injured while campaigning in an eastern city, the party said Saturday.
Explosion at train station leads to discovery of stolen car on Montreal's South Shore: police
Police are investigating after a BMW exploded in the St-Lambert Exo train station parking lot on Montreal's South Shore.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.