B.C. Muslims set to celebrate Ramadan together after 2 years of restrictions

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins Saturday and Muslims in B.C. can finally celebratetogetherafter in-person gatherings were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Akber Mithani,president of the Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre, said Friday that the centre's Ramadanprogramming will includeprayers, as well as sermons from Islamic experts and scholars from around the world.

"We're really looking forward to all of us congregating once again under obviouslygood infection prevention and control practices within our centres, but we will be able to congregate once more and take the benefit of this holy month."said Mithani, who also serves asregional medical director for long-term care and assisted living with the Fraser Health Authority.

Mithani said the past two years have been challengingand now is agood time to reflect on how those challenges can provide the opportunity for growth.

"One of the major principlesin Islamic philosophy and ethics is the fact that when we are faced with adversities and calamities, we tend to use those as opportunities to even be able to ascend more from a spiritual perspective," he said.

Connection with community

Noor Zohdy of Prince George, B.C., says Ramadan is a time to connect with fellowMuslims.

"I think, especially as Muslims, oftentimes it can feel like you are alone ... but with something like Ramadan, it just reminds you that there's a massive community that you're a part of," Zohdy said.

The practice of fasting, says Furqana Khan of Prince George, wherefollowers forgo food and drink for upwards of 15 hours a day, can also help build community.

"You're fasting and there are people that you know who are fasting and you want to be able to celebrate that with them and talk to them about their journeys as they're going through it," Khan said.

Muslims taking part in Ramadan fast between dawn and dusk,but can eat meals after sunset and before sunrise.

Mithani says the fasting is also a way to show empathy to theless fortunate who do not have themeans to feed themselves on a daily basis. The centre holds a Ramadan food drive each year in partnership with a local food bank.