Calgary Eid-ul-Fitr celebration unites thousands in joy, prayer
Three days of feasts, acts of charity mark end of holy month of Ramadan
Calgary ’s Muslim community met on Friday morning at the Akram Jomaa Islamic Centre to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with united prayer.
Eid-ul-Fitr is the “festival of breaking the fast,” which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset daily. It begins with people gathering for prayer and is celebrated for three days of feasts.
Imam Jamal Hammoud said there were more than 20,000 men, women and children partaking in the prayers and speeches.
“We feel happy and strong, we feel united. We feel that we are obeying the mighty God and following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad,” said Hammoud.
Dressed in traditional clothing, those in attendance also shared food and donated money to charity in celebration with their friends and family.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi spoke during the ceremony.
“We understand Muslims have always been part of this community and are becoming a stronger part of this community. But on the other hand, we continue to live in a place where over the last several years we have seen increases in voices of anger, bitterness, pettiness and division.”
Nenshi also spoke about the Muslim community engaging positively with the outside community: “We as Muslims, I think, have a job to ensure that every single day, every single one of us — as everyday people using our everyday hands and our everyday voices — are building up our community for others.”
After the Eid prayer, there was a bazaar with activities for children.
Chairman of the Muslim Council of Calgary Mohamed Hajar was glad to see so many people gather for Eid-ul-Fitr to show the unity and stability of the Muslim community.
“Today means happiness and enjoyment, especially for the kids and the families, after fasting for the holy month of Ramadan,” said Hajar.
Minister of Finance Joe Ceci said the Alberta government values the contributions of Muslims to the province.
“We know that Calgary ’s Muslim community is as diverse as Calgary itself,” said Ceci. “Even with such diversity, we all share common values and aspirations of peace, respect and equality.”
United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenney joined the ceremony “to show respect for a large and growing part of our community.”
DIVERSITY
“When you look at a crowd like this you get a sense of the diversity of the Muslim community. There are people here from every corner of the world and some whose families have been in Canada for generations and yet they’re all united together in faith,” Kenney said.
Nenshi ended his speech saying, “This is my hope for all of us here, that all of us would rededicate ourselves after the celebration today to acts of community. This is the most joyous day in the Muslim calendar and it’s not only because we finally get to eat lunch; it’s because we are celebrating on that month of reflection and rededication of ourselves to our spiritual lives.”