Manitoba Muslims prepare to mark Ramadan in person together again

For the first time in two years, members of the Manitoba Islamic Association are able to meet up to get ready for Ramadan without COVID-19 restrictions.

The gymnasium at the Winnipeg Grand Mosque was buzzing with excitement this weekend as young Muslims came together to learn the meaning of the 30-day religious observance.

"Ramadan is a month of fasting and doing good deeds," said Najmeddin El-Bakri, who's in Grade 5.

For the first time, the 10 year-old will fast during Ramadan. He admitted he's a little nervous about handling hunger pangs later in the day.

"Sometimes in school, I get tired in gym," said El-Bakri. But he said he learned a strategy at today's event, where teenagers offered children lessons on the meaning of Ramadan.

"If you want more strength, you could ask God to help you throughout the day, so you make it through," he said.

For 10 year-old Maryam Almiski, Ramadan is a time to work on self-improvement.

"Some people have bad habits, which lead to bad things," said Almiski, who plans to step up her dental hygiene during the 30-day holiday, and floss her teeth every day.

"You need to get rid of bad habits to become a good person," said the fifth grader, who fasted 27 days last Ramadan.

"I was pretty hungry, since it was my first time," she said. "But I learned patience."

This time, she hopes to get through the entire month without eating from sunrise to sunset.

Nawal Samir, 18, smiled as she talked to children at the mosque.

"I hope the kids learn to be generous and to become future leaders," said Samir, a member of the MIA's youth leadership program. The teenager also studies at the University of Manitoba and plans to be a lawyer.

"It's about inner growth, but also about sharing with the community," said Samir, as she finished a session teaching the kids arts and crafts.