Eid is coming to Metro Vancouver as Muslims bid farewell to Ramadan

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      As the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is coming to the end, Muslims across Metro Vancouver are preparing for the Eid al-Fitr festival.

      It's one of their biggest religious celebrations—to mark the end of Ramadan, beginning as early as Tuesday (June 4) in some time zones.

      For the past month, Muslims across the world have abstained from eating or drinking from dawn to dusk. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, which makes it compulsory for those who can to reconnect to their faith during the month of Ramadan.

      The benefits of fasting include increasing one's empathy for those who might be hungry year-round and to learn the value of self-discipline.

      Across Metro Vancouver, Eid prayers are held in more than a dozen places, including at Trout Lake Community Centre in Vancouver, Athletic Park in Surrey, Minoru Park in Richmond, as well as at mosques across the region.

      “To the Muslim community, the most important aspect of observing Ramadan is when Muslims fast and indulge in night prayers, where they indulge in a much-disciplined way of life,” said Sikandar Khan, vice president of B.C. Muslim Association.

      “[The Eid al- Fitr celebration] is a way of thanking the almighty God and a means of celebrating after a month of ritual activities,” said Khan. “That means to culminate into a prayer gathering at an open public forum whereby there is prayer made to thank [the] Almighty for enabling Muslims to utilize the month of Ramadan in prayer activities and in fasting.”

      Every year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offers his best wishes to the Muslim community when Eid al-Fitr arrives.

      "Eid marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan," Trudeau said in a statement today. "After a month of fasting and spiritual reflections, Eid is a time for community and celebration. And it’s a chance to honour the values at the heart of Islam—from service to generosity to peace and compassion. And whether it’s volunteering at a local food bank or supporting charities, Muslim Canadians show us the best of those values all throughout the year."

      When is Eid al-Fitr?

      Like Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr is determined with the first sighting of the moon as per the Islamic lunar calendar, which means most of the time Muslims have to wait until the night before Eid to verify its date.

      The date changes each year on the Gregorian calendar and varies from country to country.

      Most of the Muslim countries base Eid al-Fitr on the declaration by Saudi Arabia; however, some countries wait to see the crescent of the moon themselves.

      How is Eid al-Fitr celebrated?

      While traditionally, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated as a three-day official holiday in most of the Muslim-majority countries, the number of vacation days varies by country.

      In Canada, however, Eid al-Fitr is a one-day celebration in Muslim communities.

      Eid al-Fitr (or the festival of breaking of the fast) begins in the morning after the end of Ramadan by Muslims gathering to partake in prayers followed by a short sermon.

      After that, the holiday begins with Muslims greeting one another with congratulatory phrases like “Eid Mubarak” or “blessed Eid”, visiting families and friends, and eating delicious foods. Dressing in new clothes is another important marker of Eid.

      “They get together with families, friends, and neighbours. In small towns, activities take place in individual homes. People invite their immediate family members, friends, and their neighbours, and they indulge in celebratory activities including eating, drinking, and socializing,” Khan said.