Calgary Muslims mark Ramadan’s end with motto for love
Posted Jul 6, 2016 12:33 pm.
Last Updated Jul 6, 2016 12:35 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Muslims around the world marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan on Wednesday, by celebrating Eid – one of the most important holy days of the year. Eid is a three-day festival of thanksgiving, where Muslims spend time with loved ones and exchange gifts.
A huge crowd came together for prayer at Calgary’s Ahmadiyya Muslim mosque in the northeast.
“It’s a gathering of all Muslims on one spiritual day at the end of Ramadan,” Cameron explained. “It’s gratitude of all the sacrifices that we did, like fasting for the month and then we come together at the end at celebrate it.”
During Eid, children receive money and gifts from adults, while families gather at open houses, wearing their finest clothes.
Because the sun doesn’t set until late in this part of the world, fasting for Ramadan can be especially difficult. This particular Ramadan has also been tough because of extremist activity across the globe.
“You hear the news every day,” Ajaz said. “Those bombings, most of them happen in Muslim countries, like in Baghdad [and] Bangladesh. It’s just so unfortunate. This community’s motto is love for all; hatred for none. That’s what I’ve been taught my holy life.”
