WINNIPEG – Canadian Muslim women have prepared tens of packages with food and goodies to distribute in the coming days on the needy, as Muslims anticipate `Eid Al-Fitr.

“It’s tremendous. Without that support we wouldn’t be able to do it,” Yasmin Ali, president of the board of the Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute (CMWI), told CBC News on Sunday, June 26.

She added that the organization purchased about $10,000 worth of food this year alone.

“We need to have that support, it’s critical.”

Working with members of CMWI, Ali and others packaged 150 hampers with food and “goodies,” which will be distributed in the coming days.

According to Ali, preparing the packages took a month to purchase goods donated by the Canadian Muslim community during Ramadan.

Ali said the initiative is all about strengthening community spirit and welcoming newcomers to the city.

“[It’s about] making them feel they have enough on that special day,” Ali said.

“It’s important because it’s also a part of our faith to give and to donate to those that need the help. It’s really important for us to make sure that nobody goes without.”

Ramadan is the holiest month in Islamic calendar.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to become closer to Allah through prayer, self-restraint and good deeds.

Muslims are the fastest growing religious community in Canada, according to the country’s statistical agency, Statistics Canada.

Canada’s Muslim population increased by 82 percent over the past decade – from about 579,000 in 2001 to more than 1 million in 2011.

Muslims represent 3.2 percent of Canada’s total population.