Ramadan in Calgary: What you need to know

Monday marks the beginning of Ramadan — the holiest month for Muslims, which starts each year on the first day of the ninth month in the lunar calendar.

Muslims around the world fast from dawn until sunset. Here in the Calgary area — including Airdrie and Okotoks — it's about 125,000 people.

"Here in Calgary it will be almost 18 hours of fasting, so it's a little bit challenging for everybody," said Shima Safwat.

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What is Ramadan?

Safwat says Ramadan brings together the devout and the less than devout followers.

"It is the month when the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him," she said. "It is a kind of celebration of the Qur'an to get closer to God and to practice more your religion.

"It's a good opportunity for Muslims who are not practicing the whole year, to practice during Ramadan. It is a spiritual month to purify the soul and body."

How long does it last?

Sometimes Ramadan lasts for 30 days, sometimes 29, depending on the lunar calendar.

Safwat says it doesn't stop people from going to school or work, or living their lives.

"When we come back we should take some rest because it's a long day and then we start reading the Qur'an. We have 30 chapters of Qur'an so every day we have to finish a chapter. So by the end of Ramadan we will finish the whole Qur'an."

When can you break the fast?

She says when the sun goes down, dates are the common way to break the fast, mainly because of their nutritional value.

"After sunset we break our fast, with some dates and then we eat a little bit. Then we go to pray in the mosque. Prayer will start around 11:30 p.m. It takes around an hour. Then we go back home, eat a little bit and then wait for the dawn prayer and then start a new day," Safwat said.

She says the long days without food or drink — even water — actually go quite quickly, once you get used to it.

"To be honest, it's like one minute because there are lots of blessing and God gives you the power to continue your day in good shape," she said. "It is not from you, it is from God."

Are there any exceptions?

Children typically participate once they have reached a level of maturity or adulthood.

Safwat says both of her children, her 14-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter, embraced the practice at the age of 10.

However, there are some exceptions. Pregnant or nursing women, people who are travelling, the elderly, those suffering from terminal illnesses, those who are sick and those who work outdoors for longs hours aren't required to fast.

How does Ramadan end?

At the end of Ramadan, there is huge three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr.

"The day after, it's the big celebration," Safwat said with a smile.

"We eat a lot, we put new clothes on. We have to celebrate. In the morning we go out for prayer at 7:30 a.m. Very big prayer, everybody, even people who are not practicing, they love to come to celebrate. Lots of food, lots of sweets for the kids, balloons."

Safwat said it's about renewal, kind of a reset for some Muslims that may not practice the faith the rest of the year.

"It is amazing," she said. "It's about getting closer to God."

Locations for Night Prayers

Special Night Prayers will take place at these locations across Calgary starting at 11:30 p.m.

• Don Hartman Center: 5200 68th St. N.E.
• Whitehorn Community Center: 228 Whitehorn Rd. N.E.
• Symons Valley United Church: 38 Kincora Rise N.W.
• Woodbine Community Center: 1991 Woodview Dr. S.W.
• St. Thomas United Church Rental Hall: 100 Hawkwood Blvd. N.W.
• Airdrie United Church: 216 First Ave. Airdrie
• Calgary S.E.: 15229 Bannister Rd. S.E.
• Green Dome Mosque: 4616 80th Ave. N.E.

Quick points about Ramadan

• Allah has made fasting this month the fourth Pillar of Islam.
• Allah has made fasting Ramadan and spending its nights in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward a means of forgiveness of sins.
• Fasting Ramadan is a means of expiation for the sins committed since the previous Ramadan, so long as one avoids major sins.
• Fasting in Ramadan is equivalent to fasting 10 months.
• Whoever prays Qiyaam in Ramadan with the Imaam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.