This month has been a very special time for the Pembina Valley’s Muslim community, and soon, it’s time to celebrate.
Ramadan, which began on February 28th, is ending tonight, which means that Eid is just around the corner.
“It's like Christmas in the Muslim community,” says Syed Faizan Nasir, a resident of Morden and one of the founding members and the director of the Pembina Valley Islamic Society (PVIS).
The significance of Eid
Nasir says that the “importance of the day” is tied to the work that community members do through the special period of Ramadan.
“[It] is the holiest month in Islam observed by Muslims worldwide as a time of fasting, prayer, reflection and increased devotion,” he says.
“This month does not only teach us to fast, but it teaches us not to lie, to help others, to do good things, and so this is a transformation of our human body and soul, ... and Eid is the celebration that we have accomplished that task.”
How does one celebrate Eid?
Nasir says that celebrating Eid begins with a special prayer in which children, women, and men participate. The prayer takes place in a mosque or another shared location.
Then, it’s time to get dressed for the celebration, which is one dimension of Eid that everyone looks forward to, according to Nasir. He says that women and girls have sometimes already purchased their Eid dresses at the beginning of Ramadan.
“We dress up nicely in colourful dress,” he says. “The girls put ... henna on their hands [in] different designs to celebrate. They get ready, then we have gatherings .... We call our families and exchange pictures, and then the next 2-3 days is just the celebration for us.”
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Just like Christmas, Nasir says Eid includes parties and favourite foods.
“Usually what happens is we set up a time here in Morden [and we] make a window [to visit], so friends come [and stay for] 10 or 20 minutes. They will eat and then go to the next house,” he says. “This way, we rotate, so all the friends are actually going to each other's houses.”
Nasir says there is also an Eid tradition in which children receive small amounts of money from the adults.
“This is a very important [part] for the kids on Eid,” he says.
Another part of the celebration: Fitrana
Another Eid tradition, which occurs just before the prayer, is charity called Fitrana. The practice includes a set amount that each self-supporting Muslim donates. This year, the donation amount is $12 (a number determined by the Islamic Circle of North America) for the betterment of society.
“We can donate this $12 before the Eid prayer to any organization taking it. They have to spend that money [on] the welfare of humanity anywhere in the world,” says Nasir. “This year, we have announced that we cannot take it in the mosque because this [fund] cannot be [used for] rent or operational expense. This has to go to [the less fortunate].”
Nasir says that Muslim community members are also free to give more than the set amount.
“It's a great feeling,” he says. “When you are giving back, it is also a gesture that gives [back to] you.”
Nasir says that Fitrana also creates a chain — whoever receives help today may be in a position to help someone else tomorrow.
“Helping each other will eventually help make strong communities where there is no [disagreement] of religion, and everybody lives like a family, and they respect everybody and their faiths," he says.
Support from the Pembina Valley
As the Pembina Valley’s Muslim community observes Ramadan and prepares for Eid, Nasir says the community has been respectful of the special season. He says PVIS released a newsletter outlining Ramadan, and it was received well.
“We sent it to almost all the employers in the community and the nearby towns and we also gave it to the Chamber of Commerce and ... PVLIP put it on their Facebook page,” he says.
“We got a very positive response [from] this letter, [which] educates employers on how to take care of the Muslim employees who are fasting.”
Nasir is touched by the understanding the Muslim community has seen from the area.
“The community is very supportive, and they are very respectful. We really appreciate this and we are very thankful,” he says.
With files from Robyn Wiebe