Manitoba Muslims celebrate holy day in Winnipeg with prayers, donations to wildfire evacuees

Thousands of Manitoba Muslims who gathered in Winnipeg Friday to celebrate one of their most sacred daysare offering donations and prayers for northernFirst Nations neighbours forced from their homes by a wildfire.

They gathered at theRBC Convention Centreto celebrateEidal-Adha, which marks the end of theHajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia..

But in their time of celebration, they did not forget about the hundreds of people forced from their homes in Wasagamack, Garden Hill andSt. Theresa Point First Nations who are being sheltered at the centre, refugeesfromsmokey skies andragingflames.

Osaed Khan, president of the Manitoba Islamic Association, says the group offered prayer for those affected by the fires and collected financial donations.

"This is a time forcelebration for us, but it's also a time to remember all those that are not as fortunate and are going through a lot of stress at this time. They're right next door to us. We cannot forget our brothers and sisters of other faiths as well."

Khan describedEidal-Adhaas"one of the two biggest holidays for Muslimsto remember the sacrifice of the Prophet Ibrahim."

In addition to prayer and celebration with their families, Khan says, people will help others in their communities and make a sacrifice of their own, usually ananimal, and share the meat with family, friends and neighbours.

It's also a day to share with those in need, he added.

"It's remembering the evacuees from northern Manitobathey're in the next hall with us," Khan said. "It's remembering them in our prayers and we're collecting donations for the evacuees as well.

MariamArunkietsays starting the day with her community is important.

"We're celebrating Eid with our families," she said. "It is important to start the day with a prayer. We're grateful to God for the day, our family, everybody's healthy. Then we spend the rest of the day with our family, celebrating, eating, just enjoying each other's company with friends and family."

Arunkiet, who immigrated to Canada from Thailand with her family when she was two, says she has only had positive experiences growing up in Winnipeg.

"Winnipeg is a great place of diversity, so I hope that Canadians around the country would feel the positive experience I have felt," she said. "I think we all have a role to play individually in showing that we are regular people, living our lives as normal, and to be good to our community and serving God at the same time."

For those not familiar with the Muslim faith, Arunkiet says, the best way to learn more is to simply ask.

"I think on a one-on-one basisgetting to know each other, about our differences and our similarities,and learn in the processI think that's the most important."

Mecca is the centre of the Islamic world, and all Muslims must make the journey there once in their lifetime.

Eidal-Adhalasts for five days and will end in celebration on Sept. 5 this year.