Canadians ready to welcome Ramadan this weekend

Canadian Muslims are getting ready to welcome the month of Ramadan this weekend.

According to the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), the month of fasting will start on Saturday, April 2.

“The Islamic calendar adopted by Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) is based on calculations with Ittihadul-Mataali’ concept for the sake of global unity,” states FCNA. “FCNA decided to follow The European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR), which states that the sighting is not a requirement but just the means of ascertaining the beginning for a new month, and that is now attained by exact calculations.”

Some Muslim communities follow the ruling of FCNA while others follow the actual sighting of the new moon to start the fasting month.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, and marital relations between dawn and sunset.

Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to become closer to Allah through prayer, self-restraint, and good deeds.