From fasting to festivities: How Muslims in Calgary are celebrating Ramadan

As the sun set on Wednesday, turning day into night, a group of Muslims made their way to the Green Dome Mosque in Calgary's northeast, searching the skies for a sight of the moon.

A new moon marks the end of a month in the Islamic calendar — and the beginning of a new one.

That night, the group sighted a moon in the night sky, officially marking the start of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and holiest for people of that faith.

"It's really a moment of introspection, reflection, contemplation, it's a moment of purifying your heart," said Imam Fayaz Tilly. 

"We live in a world where we all want change to happen, but truly, Ramadan is a month which obligates us to ensure that change starts with us."

It's believed that during Ramadan, the Qur'an, Islam's holy text and the guiding principle for Muslims, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed. Muslims fast for either 29 or 30 days — depending on the sighting of the moon at the end of the month.

At fajr, meaning dawn in Arabic, Muslims begin their fast for the day, refraining from eating, drinking and smoking. At maghrib, which means sunset, the fourth call to prayer of the day is heard — marking the end of the day when they can break their fast.

"It's challenging, however, we believe that God does give us spiritual strength, and it's mind over matter," Tilly said.

"Fasting is not about losing the weight or the calories, but rather it's about losing and kicking those bad habits those traits which are considered blameworthy in our tradition."

As much as it is a time for faith and spiritual reflection, Ramadan is also a time where families and friends come together and celebrate.

Throughout the month, mosques and community groups host community iftars (sunset meal.) Bazaars pop up across the city, typically selling traditional clothing, food and sweets.

Houses are decorated inside and out with lights and lanterns, families gather around the table at iftar, to eat when it's time to break their fast, and friends socialize after sundown at traditional cafes over tea, coffee and shisha.

That sense of togetherness is something Besan Jadalowen said she looks forward to every year. She's a high school student in Calgary and with a busy schedule that typically revolves around homework and studying, it's not often that she's able to get together with her family or friends.

That changes during Ramadan.