LAC LA BICHE - The holiest month of the calendar for more than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world — including hundreds of families in the Lakeland and Lac La Biche areas — is expected to begin on the second of April. Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is an annual, month-long spiritual observance that includes fasting from sunrise to sunset, prayers, giving donations, and self-reflection for Muslim followers.
The month is a time for reflection with family and sharing with others. During the daily meal times between fasting, families are encouraged to sit together and invite others to break the fast with them.
At the end of Ramadan, a celebration to commemorate all the achievements—called Eid-al Fitr—will take place.
For the Lac La Biche community that has hundreds of Muslim people, it’s a special time to get together and give back while having an opportunity to participate deeply in the faith throughout the month said, Mohamed Abdelwahab, the Imam at Al Kareem Mosque in the hamlet of Lac La Biche.
“We have some obligations as Muslims, so it is very important because of the ritual development that we get during that month. All the Muslims gather during this month at their places of worship and families connect on a higher and deeper level,” said Abdelwahab.
For Muslims around the world, Ramadan is one of the key pillars of the faith. While fasting from sunrise to sunset is not only about abstaining from food and drinks, a large part is cleansing the thoughts, behaviour and spirit while feeling the needs of others, he said.
“For 30 days you get to cleanse your spiritual sights… and it’s a good thing that you feel what other people who aren’t privileged feel and what others who don’t have safety and security go through,” said Abdelwahab.
Meeting together
While the Muslim community in Lac La Biche and around the region, like others around the world over the last two years, haven’t been able to gather together for Ramadan celebrations and nightly prayers — Taraweeh — due to the COVID pandemic, this year the in-person Ramadan rituals are returning, says Abdelwahab who’s been the Imam at Al Kareem Mosque for the last four years.
“A lot of people cannot wait. It’s been three years now since we had a pause on all the gatherings. We are excited to make our plans to have a weekly gathering with food and community as much as we can. People are excited to do this again,” he said, adding that the local mosque will also be partnering with Islamic Relief Canada and other non-profits throughout the month to host local fundraisers to support underprivileged communities globally. “Most of the money will go for orphans and people who are in dire need. We have some plans already.”
All invited
While Ramadan is a celebration and pillar of the Muslim community, its message and meaning is for everyone, regardless of religion, says the Imam.
“Now is the time for everyone to come together. I think everyone should take the opportunity to help other people, not only Muslims but all of the people out there because we have a lot of people all over the world who are suffering…this is the month of helping.”
