'We are rooted in the North': Sudbury Muslims gather for Ramadan

The buffet table at the weekly Iftar event of the Northern Muslim Association mosque in Sudbury mirrors some of the diversity of the Muslim world.

"We have some amazing food from all over," says board director Abdel Ati Bettah. "India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Middle East, North Africa." 

"We also have some lasagna, which I'm assuming is Italian… and some Canadian food. But no poutine," he adds with a laugh. 

The holy month of Ramadan is in full swing, and Muslims in Sudbury and around the world are observing it by fasting, praying, and gathering with their community. 

For the past 12 years, the Northern Muslim Association has organized weekly community feasts during Ramadan where families and volunteers prepare food and come together to share a meal after a long day of fasting. 

It all started with a few friends coming together and ordering some pizza.

"Then people started knocking on our door, word-of-mouth, asking if they could join… so we decided to formalize it," said Bettah.

 Now, about 200 people attend the weekly event, and that number increases year by year. 

"We're seeing more and more families join us, as well as many young singles who come to the mosque for the sense of connection they miss from their home countries," added Bettah.

This growth is not only driven by newcomers but also by the community's welcoming nature. 

"We make it clear that this mosque is for everyone," he said. 

"It belongs to all of Sudbury, not just Muslims. If you want to learn about our faith, break bread with us, or simply say hello, this is your mosque, too."

Bettah says there are many cultural and social differences between the worshippers who attend, but they all have one thing in common: "We are rooted in the North."