Eid al-Fitr, marking end of Ramadan, draws huge crowds in Winnipeg and Brandon

Thousands of Manitobans are celebrating the festival of Eid al-Fitron Wednesday, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Moosa Shakir, among the thousands who celebrated the day atRBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg,says the war in Gaza has had an emotional impact.

"It is quite sad for us because of a lot of repercussions in areas of the Middle East, but we are hoping for better this year," he said.

Aissath Sidibe, who attendedwith her mother and two children, said the prayers will carry more weight.

"[Islam] is a tolerant religion. It's not only about Muslims, it's about all human beings, so it's important to pray for the world," she said. "The mass praying has more power."

She broughther young children alongso they, too, will understand that, she said.

"It's important that my kids grow up with our culture, our tradition, and the Muslim faith because, to me, this is the most important thing to tackle [in] this world to be faithful and trust God."

Eid al-Fitrcelebrations are happening around the province, but the largest in Manitoba is atthe convention centre in downtown Winnipeg.

"You fasted for 30 days and now you just enjoy celebrating with families," saidShakir.

Prayer times for the day are listedonthe Manitoba Islamic Association's website.

Ruheen Aziz, the association's vice-chair, expects about 15,000 people to take in the prayers through the day.

Ramadan, one of the most important months for the religion of Islam,is celebrated in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It begins on the first sighting of the new crescent moon.

This year, it beganMarch 10 and, as always, washonoured with 30 days ofdawn-to-sunset fasting.

Large crowdin Brandon

As many as500 people celebrated the day in Brandon with prayers and a feast atthe historic Dome Building.

Prayers started at 9 a.m. but the hall was already full by 8:30 a.m., something the Brandon Islamic Centre has never seen before, said secretary Muhammad Abidullah.

"Today, for the first time, there was so many people that we had to open a door to accommodate more people [outside]," he said.

About a dozen people stood just outside the building's open doorway,Abidullahsaid, adding it meant they had to pray louder to ensure everyone could hear.

Brandon Islamic Centre president Amir Farooq said thecity's Muslim community is growing, and many new members are international students.

"This is a fortunate surprise for us and a sweet surprise. We are increasing the Muslim community," he said.

Abidullah estimates people from about 30 countries now attend the centre's mosque. The organization ishoping to add a bigger space next year in time for Eid while pursuing a longer-term plan to build a new and larger mosque.

Abidullah saidthey've spent about a decade on the project so far.

Following the morning prayers at the Dome,a community feast was held for everyone.

Typically, the event at the convention centre in Winnipeg would also be followed with large community gatherings. But this year, under the shadow of the war in Gaza, things have been scaled down, said attendee Faraz Khan.

"We don't celebrate like we [usually] celebrate," he said.

Instead, he was heading toa simple and small gathering with family.

That sentiment was echoed byNaveed Ahmed, who said Winnipeg's Muslims must be sensitive to their relatives in Gaza.

"They cannot enjoy theEidas we are doing right now, so we are happy to be here but still feel sad for them," he said.

Celebrating the festival of Eid al-Fitr

6 months ago

Duration 3:13

Thousands of Muslims gathered on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, to celebrate Eid at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.