Muslims across the globe unite in fasting during the holy month of Ramadan — Faisal Jibril, Imam of Moose Jaw’s mosque, said Ramadan is a joyful occasion of showing submission to God.
During Ramadan, Muslims typically have breakfast before dawn, then fast (they take no nourishment, not even water) until sunset. They break their day’s fast in the evening with a ritual meal, followed by a regular meal.
The dates of Ramadan vary slightly each year, because the religious festival is associated with the Islamic lunar calendar. This also means that there can be regional differences in the start of Ramadan and variations in how long Muslims around the world fast, due to fluctuations in sunrise and sunset.
This year, the new crescent moon was sighted on March 10 to begin Ramadan. The holy month is expected to conclude on April 9.
“Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam, so we do have five pillars and one of them is fasting the month of Ramadan,” Jibril explained. “So, Ramadan is an act of worship and is to show devotion to Allah, the creator.”
The end of Ramadan is marked with Eid Al-Fitr, the ‘feast of breaking the fast,’ a major holiday in the Islamic calendar. In many countries, Eid Al-Fitr is a national holiday, with familiar and cherished traditions of decorating one’s home, preparing special foods, gift-giving, and a special emphasis on acts of charity.
“The intention you have to fast for God, for Allah, it’s not just about the food and drink,” said Zayd Huang, a member of the mosque, or masjid. “It’s about leaving off from your temptations and bad habits for the sake of God, so it’s a time to reflect on yourself and improve yourself. … I think it’s a very beautiful time of year for us, and it comes and goes very quickly.”
Huang said Ramadan devotion includes not losing one’s temper or engaging in idle gossip. Worshippers should live with discipline, distribute their wealth to the poor, and spend time with fellow Muslims to strengthen family and community ties.
There are around 100 Muslim families in Moose Jaw. Most are Sunni, but Shias are also welcome at the masjid. Members come from many places, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and much more, all united by their faith.
“This is a diverse community, we welcome everybody,” Jibril explained, “so, you can say we are non-denominational here.”
If you have Muslim friends, neighbours, or colleagues, you can wish them a happy Ramadan by saying ‘Ramadan Mubarak’, or just ‘Happy Ramadan’.
The Islamic Association of Saskatchewan, Moose Jaw, has their mosque at 73 Lancaster Rd. For the curious, there is an open house on the first Sunday of every month from 2 to 4 p.m.
Learn more on their website at iasmoosejaw.com.