Muslims in Ontario are getting ready for a 30-day fast one week from today, preparing for a special time to connect with their identity and religion amid challenging political times, CBC reported.

“It’s very important for us as Muslims to understand why we do what we do and also how to do that thing correctly,” Aarij Anwer, Imam of the Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario, said.

“If a person doesn’t know why they’re doing something, they probably won’t do it for an extended period of them but if … that reasoning … and motivation is in place, then a person will.”

Imam Anwer was speaking to about two dozen people who showed up at the London Muslim Mosque on Sunday to attend a “preparing for Ramadan” workshop.

Learning the rules of fasting and tips on how to achieve a high state of spirituality, Anwer informed the group about the importance of community relationships.

“As much as it is about fasting, it’s also about food and about coming together. People come together to have iftar. People come together at night to pray together,” he said.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Hijri Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

During Ramadan fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations.

Muslims are also instructed to refrain from sinful behavior that may negate the reward of fasting, such as false speech (insulting, backbiting, cursing, lying, etc.) and fighting except in self-defense.

Pre-fast meals before dawn are referred to as Suhoor, while the post-fast breaking feasts after sunset are called Iftar.

Aarij Anwer is the Imam of the Islamic Center of Southwest Ontario. (Hala Ghonaim/CBC)

Connecting People

Beyond education, Anwer said Muslims also have to “prepare their hearts.”

“It’s by letting go of grudges, by focusing on the things that are important and positive and removing things that are negative from your life,” he said.

He also encouraged non-Muslims to engage with the Muslim community.

“It’s a time to get to know the community,” he said,

“Come to the mosque for one of these evening meals, join the community, see what it’s like … be around them and enjoy some good food,” he added.

Canada’s 2011 National Household Survey estimated Muslims in Canada to be around 1,053,945, or about 3.2% of the population, making Islam the second largest religion in the country after Christianity.

As Ramadan knocks the doors, Muslims are preparing themselves for the holy fasting month.

Preparing themselves for the long fast, many activities and events are held worldwide to help Muslims welcome the holy month properly.

In AboutIslam, we have prepared this special guide for our readers to get the best of the holy month.

Check AboutIslam Ramadan guide:

https://aboutislam.net/shariah/special-coverage-shariah/your-guide-to-ramadan-in-depth/