Muslims in Manitoba mark the beginning of Ramadan as war continues to rage in Gaza
CBC
Muslims in Manitoba are now fasting for Ramadan, but this year's celebrations are more difficult for many as war rages on in the Middle East.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, prayer, charity and togetherness. It is one of the five pillars, or fundamental practices, of Islam.
It's observed by about 25,000 Muslims in Manitoba and nearly two billion worldwide, but this year's Ramadan comes as the Middle East remains inflamed by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
Hakim Ghulam with the Manitoba Islamic Association says watching the war unfold overseas has been a challenging time for many in the province.
"Your heart cries, you want to help them … not only as a Muslim but as a human being as well," Ghulam told CBC News on Monday.
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostage. Hamas is believed to still be holding around 100 captives.
The Israeli military campaign has driven around 80 per cent of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people from their homes and pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine. Gaza's health ministry says at least 31,112 Palestinians have been killed since the war began.
Ceasefire talks to allow the holy month to pass peacefully and also possibly return dozens of Israeli hostages held in Gaza have stalled.
Ghulam says fasting during Ramadan allows Muslims to feel sympathy for people who are going hungry.
"That's the time Ramadan [teaches] you that you have to be patient, you know, you have to show empathy and compassion with the people around you."
He says hundreds come to the Winnipeg Grand Mosque — which is run by the Manitoba Islamic Association — to pray on the first day of Ramadan.
The association is also inviting non-Muslims to the Grand Mosque on Saturday to partake in a community iftar, which is when Muslims break their daily fasts during Ramadan.
"We may follow a different faith … but we have a relationship of respect, honour [and] dignity for each other," said Ghulam.
"We need to listen to each other."
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.
The driver wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified, police say.
There are mixed feelings about the proposed Grays Bay road and port project, among people who live in nearby communities.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse and includes graphic content.
Provincial police in Lambton County have charged a 23-year-old man with second degree murder following a death investigation that began this past Saturday.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government is forming a working group to tackle what it calls systemic issues in the justice system, but answers or solutions could still be months away.
A woman has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death in a 2024 fatal hit and run in Truro, N.S., where the victim was dragged down the street, a case that went unsolved for more than six months.