You can celebrate Ramadan in Canada in various ways, from attending special spiritual gatherings to hosting family dinners. Having an understanding of all significant religious holidays and celebrations is one way Canada strives to respect the religious convictions of immigrants regardless of their origins.
Furthermore, the country, which takes pride in its diversity, accepts all newcomers’ religions. By virtue of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, everyone in Canada has the right to practice their religion without retribution irrespective of their immigration status.
According to the census results from 2021, Islam is the second most often reported religion in Canada. The Muslim population in Canada increased from 2% to 4.9% between 2001 and 2021, according to the census. This has an impact on about 1.8 million people.
Canada’s Muslim population has grown due to immigration, according to the census. As well as, nearly one-quarter of Canada’s immigrants – who make up 18.9% of the population – identified themselves as Muslims between 2011 and 2021. The majority reside in Ontario, where 6.7% of the population is Muslim.
Celebrate Ramadan in Canada – Marking the event
As part of Islamic tradition, Muslims celebrate Ramadan during the ninth lunar month. It takes place between March 22 or 23 and April 22 in 2023, depending on where you live. One of the most significant Islamic holidays, Eid culminates in a month of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
During Ramadan, Canadian politicians and corporate executives publish comments and host or attend iftar meals to break their fast. A unique statement is released by the prime minister to commemorate Ramadan and recognize Canadian Muslims’ achievements.
This year’s fast is longer for Canadians in the north
The month of Ramadan varies according to the year by 12 days, lasting 29 or 30 days. Winter nights can be followed by shorter summer or spring days over the course of several years.
Moreover, Ramadan falls in the spring or summer in Canada, which means residents in the north have to wait longer to see the sunset and shorter to see it rise. The most crucial city for Muslims who are commemorating Ramadan this year is Toronto, one of Canada’s largest cities. Also, Ramadan is observed from the 15th of Ramadan through the 26th of Ramadan. By the end of the month, people in Whitehorse will go 15 hours without eating.
Celebrate Ramadan in Canada – Other ways
Ramadan is also a time of almsgiving, or zakat, which involves giving money to those less fortunate. A portion of a person’s income over a certain amount is expected to be donated to charity as zakat. To raise funds for less fortunate Muslims here and overseas, charitable groups across Canada will host iftars during Ramadan.
Among the five cities of Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary, there are over 20 mosques. Muslims who practice Ramadan are encouraged to pray five times a day in addition to the five prayers they usually offer. Every day during the month of Ramadan, some Muslims read passages from the Qur’an during Tarawih. A mosque or your home is a good place to perform this.
Eid
Ramadan comes to an end with Eid ul-Fitr. Getting dressed and visiting the mosque are usually the first things on a typical day. After Eid, we spend the remainder of the day eating delicious cuisine and seeing our loved ones. Depending on their traditions, households will provide delicacies like mithai, dates, or baklava to keep visitors entertained throughout the day.
