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Why over a billion people around the world are fasting #Ramadan #Eid

The month of Ramadan has just begun for over a billion Muslims around the world; thirty days of fasting from sunrise to sunset. While it may sound harsh to some, as Muslims there is so much beauty in Ramadan and what it represents. When Muslims fast (in our case for almost 18 hours) it invigorates your other senses in many ways. For myself and my community it’s a beautiful time of charity, giving to the poor, spending time with friends and family and connecting with one another.

For those who don’t know, Muslims who are either pregnant, nursing, elderly or not yet at the age of puberty do not need to fast; the same goes for those who are ill or whose health would be adversely affected by their fasting.
 
Growing up, I used to beg my parents to fast. Mind you, the days (and fasts) were much shorter back then. It really used to mean waking up just before school, eating, going to school and then coming home and breaking your fast a short while later. As Islam follows a lunar calendar, Ramadan moves earlier and earlier each year. This year, it happens to coincide with some of the longest (and hottest) days of the year. For now, my kids fast half days though they wish they could go longer. They will have the morning meal and then fast until lunch (or when they get hungry), then wait until supper. If it’s too hot or they have an activity planned I encourage them not to as they are still young and it is not compulsory on them.
 
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What an Iftar looks like at our house
 
In many ways, as a Muslim born and raised in North America, Ramadan is like a communal hug. We get to see friends and family several times a week (something that we might otherwise not do), we also get to share communal meals. Some of my children’s favourite memories of their summer so far is of swimming at their friend’s place then staying over to share a late night (8:45pm or so) meal consisting of all their favourites. There is no specific food or drink. As there are Muslims around the world, the food varies from country to country.
 
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The kids enjoying some pre-iftar fun in Ramadan with their friends.
 
The breaking of the fast is referred to as Iftar (If-taar). For those of us born and raised here some of our favourite summer meals tend to be made on the grill. Nothing like sharing a big barbecue dinner with fresh salads or rotisserie chicken with all the fixings with friends. Fruit and dates are usually aplenty as it’s important to re-hydrate your body. Dates have so many health benefits, you can read more about them here.
 
In the morning, we share what is called Suhoor (Suh-hoor) which is a pre-dawn meal. In our case, in Montreal, that means somewhere around 2:30-3:00am. I shared a couple of great recipes to help hydrate and keep you full on Breakfast Television Montreal recently. You can watch the segment below:

What Ramadan represents for the Muslim community

 
While some friends have joked that we must be thrilled when Ramadan is almost over, the truth is it brings a sadness. We don’t want it to end. So many of us fall in love with the feeling of charity, selflessness and community that we associate with the month.
 
I’ll miss sitting around the table with my friends and family who have fasted. The impromptu potlucks where a bunch of friends will get together with whatever they had made for home, and just share a meal, giving to charity but most of all, giving of ourselves. To me personally Ramadan represents a time of introspection, reflection, and taking care of my community. As a mom I am honoured to pass these memories and traditions on to my children.
 
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Before we know it the long fasts will be gone and life will return to its regular routine. Before it does though, we will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. We will dress up in our finest, pray as a community, then share gifts and goodies with our friends, families and neighbours. Looking after one another and celebrating our differences is an inherently Canadian value, and I am honoured to celebrate it as a Muslim woman.
 

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35 Comments

  1. If we’d all focus on our similarities, our rituals, festivals they are very similar and of course what we all want for our families is the same – health and happiness, it’s important to honor the traditions of your upbringing, our traditions are the foundation of the building of our faith and should always be upheld.

    1. It does take faith and willpower but doesn’t seem like much of a sacrifice once you do start fasting. The added sense of community really compensates for it.

  2. Many of my friends are celebrating Ramadan. You have such strength to get through the day every day without eating!

  3. Living in Toronto and it being full of different cultures my kids have learned a lot about Eid. I had no idea what it was, but they’ve taught me about it. I love learning about different cultures and the fact my kids can too, and we can understand. That’s amazing you were on BT! How exciting!

  4. Great post. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy reading about rituals, customs and traditions that other people have. I appreciate your your great post as well as the great photos to go with it.

  5. Here in Michigan we have a very large Muslim community. I believe Dearborn is the largest as the entire town makes changes to help and respect the community. I think its amazing. I love to learn about other cultures and grew up in a large city full of different cultures. Such a wonderful post.

  6. I had a guest poster last year who put up food vendors from Ramadan. Man, it was some good looking eats!

  7. I had never heard about this before, was nice to read a bit and learn. Thank you for sharing a culture I had no experience/knowledge of.

  8. Love learning about other cultures. Thank you for sharing. I have one Muslim friend that I worked with for a few years; we would support him during Ramadan. Beautiful that your children are so eager to fast.

  9. Thank you for sharing this information on Ramadan. I am always interesting in learning about other cultures and their religious beliefs. Thanks for sharing.

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