Canadian Muslims Getting Ready For Ramadan

(August 14, 2009) – Canadian Muslims are getting ready to welcome the annual month of fasting (Ramadan) expected to begin on Saturday, February 22.

Across the country, Islamic Centers are preparing to host large numbers of people who attend the mosque daily for the special evening prayers (Salatul Taraweeh).

Some of the mosques are also getting ready for the weekend iftar (fast breaking) gatherings, while others that offer daily iftar meals are seeking donations and volunteers to assist with these events.

This coming weekend, there is a flurry of community events as organizations try to squeeze in late summer activities before the fasting month begins.

This is the first year in over two decades that Ramadan will start in a summer month.

Sporting tournaments and youth camps are scrambling to get their events completed this coming week; and the annual conventions are winding done this weekend with the final one, the ISNA Canada convention, being held at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.

The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) which recognizes astronomical calculations as an acceptable Shar’ia method for determining the beginning of lunar months has announced the first day of Ramadan will be Saturday, August 22.

Other moon sighting bodies are scheduled to meet on Friday evening, August 21, to receive reports on crescent sightings.