The Muslim Community of Estevan welcomed people to join them May 23 for an iftar dinner at the Royal Canadian Legion’s Estevan branch.
Numerous dignitaries, legion representatives and other community leaders joined the Muslims for the event. It was not only an opportunity to interact and meet new people, but it was also a chance for the invited guests to learn more about Ramadan and the Islam faith.
Ramadan is from May 17-June 14 this year. During the month, Muslims 15 years of age and up do not drink water or eat food from sunrise to sunset, although there are exceptions made for those with health issues.
The evening opened with Zia Abdul welcoming everyone and discussing the local community. Atif Hafeez offered some words from the Quran, which is Islam’s holy book, and then provided an English translation.
Syed Salahuddin, who is the president of the local Muslim community, offered further background on their faith and the growing number of Muslims in Estevan.
“The purpose of this gathering is to introduce the Islamic centre and share of the significance of fasting in the month of Ramadan,” said Salahuddin.
He was particularly pleased to have Imam Mohamad Masloh from Regina in Estevan to discuss their faith.
The Islamic centre has been around for nearly a decade. When it started, there were only two members, but now they have nearly 60 members. It provides Muslims with a place to worship, to uphold Islamic religion, and to promote brotherhood among Muslims and a bright future among Muslims and non-Muslims through education.
They have been renting different places in Estevan for the past seven years, and they have been searching for a permanent base for their centre.
The local Muslim community has people who have come from all over the world to live and work in Estevan, and they now consider Estevan home, he said. And they have a diverse range of professions in the local community.
Estevan Mayor Roy Ludwig, Estevan MLA Lori Carr and Estevan Police Service Deputy Police Chief Murray Cowan then brought greetings to those gathered. Each of them said it was great to have Muslims in the community, and encouraged them to approach their respective agencies.
Ludwig received applause for his message even before he was finished, as he told the Muslim community members that City Hall is willing to work with them in any issues they have.
Carr, meanwhile, said that Ramadan reminds people to be humble and modest in greater service, and to treat people with respect.
Cowan said he was pleased to see people from so many different agencies and organizations in attendance to join the Muslims in celebrating Ramadan.
“We really focus on community engagement now in a way of building relationships, so that you can build trust among the police and the public,” said Cowan.
Events like the Ramadan celebration help build that trust.
Masloh provided the information on Ramadan and why it is significant to Muslims around the world. He noted that at this time of year, when the days are longer, they have to stop eating at 3 a.m., and then they go to the mosque to pray.
Then local children discussed their faith and their desire to have a permanent building constructed in Estevan.
The fast was broken at 8:44 p.m. with a snack and water, and then the Muslims gathered to pray. Afterwards, a large meal was served to everybody in attendance.
