Across the globe, celebrations are underway to celebrate the end of the Holy month of Ramadan, a month in which over a billion faithful fasted from sun up to sundown. Airdrie’s Muslim community is also participating in the celebrations. 

For the first time ever, the Muslim community was able to offer Eid prayers at the Town & Country Centre. Airdronian Amir Zia’s day is full of celebrations and time spent with family, but it will also be spent doing charitable work throughout the day, including visiting those who are sick and continuing to do donation work.  

“[It’s great] to see people together after 30 days of fasting. This year was very different and very special and there are two reasons. In the last two years because of COVID we haven’t had much of an opportunity to gather together.”  

Zia said that traditionally, children will don new clothes for Eid when visiting family and friends. He also underlined that while fasting can be taxing, it teaches patience. 

“Fasting teaches you different things, and the goal is patience,” he said.  

Zia said that those who fast can reflect on how truly blessed they are, especially when there are those around the world who can’t afford to eat even one meal a day. 

A few days before the end of Ramadan, the Ahmadiyya Ladies Association of Airdrie gathered a total of 585 pounds of perishable food for the Airdrie Food Bank. 

“During Ramadan especially, Muslims look towards helping people who are less fortunate. In order to work collectively and help our community we do a food bank drive for the Airdrie food bank, this is the 4th year we have done so,” wrote Sairah Khan, a member of the Ahmadiyya Ladies Association of Airdrie. 

Different countries with Muslim populations have different culinary dishes prepared. For example, in the Levantine region of the Middle East, a dessert staple that is served during Eid is ma’amoul, which are semolina cookies filled with dates or nuts. In the South Asia regions, a variety of dishes are served that can include Sheer khurma, a vermicelli-type pudding.  

    ​Baklava is another dessert favorite, best when served fresh and hot. (Archive Photo by Anna Ferensowicz)

Next year, it is projected that Ramadan will begin at the end of March. 

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