Muslims in Manitoba mark the beginning of Ramadan as war continues to rage in Gaza
CBC
Muslims in Manitoba are now fasting for Ramadan, but this year's celebrations are more difficult for many as war rages on in the Middle East.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, prayer, charity and togetherness. It is one of the five pillars, or fundamental practices, of Islam.
It's observed by about 25,000 Muslims in Manitoba and nearly two billion worldwide, but this year's Ramadan comes as the Middle East remains inflamed by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
Hakim Ghulam with the Manitoba Islamic Association says watching the war unfold overseas has been a challenging time for many in the province.
"Your heart cries, you want to help them … not only as a Muslim but as a human being as well," Ghulam told CBC News on Monday.
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostage. Hamas is believed to still be holding around 100 captives.
The Israeli military campaign has driven around 80 per cent of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people from their homes and pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine. Gaza's health ministry says at least 31,112 Palestinians have been killed since the war began.
Ceasefire talks to allow the holy month to pass peacefully and also possibly return dozens of Israeli hostages held in Gaza have stalled.
Ghulam says fasting during Ramadan allows Muslims to feel sympathy for people who are going hungry.
"That's the time Ramadan [teaches] you that you have to be patient, you know, you have to show empathy and compassion with the people around you."
He says hundreds come to the Winnipeg Grand Mosque — which is run by the Manitoba Islamic Association — to pray on the first day of Ramadan.
The association is also inviting non-Muslims to the Grand Mosque on Saturday to partake in a community iftar, which is when Muslims break their daily fasts during Ramadan.
"We may follow a different faith … but we have a relationship of respect, honour [and] dignity for each other," said Ghulam.
"We need to listen to each other."
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