MEDICINE HAT, AB – Ramadan began earlier this week, it marks the holiest of months on the Islamic lunar calendar.
Medicine Hat’s Muslim population has about 500 people.
Imam (religious leader) Dr. Emad Salih says Ramadan is one of the most important times of the year for Muslims.
The local mosque holds a religious service at night. That tradition includes an hour of prayer from 10-11 pm.
Salih says Ramadan is not only about fasting, you have to intensify your connection with God by engaging more in prayer and spiritual activities.
“In Islam it is actually one of the major pillars of the religion, fasting one month a year. But we don’t really have to fast the whole day. Some people think we are fasting 24 hours. No, we just fast from the time of dawn to the time of sunset, and then we’re allowed to eat and drink as usual. All the way up until the next dawn.”
Salih says the mosque is following COVID-19 capacity rules and recommendations during this time.
Ramadan began on Tuesday, April 13, and continues until the evening of Wednesday, May 12.
(footage used in this story is from previous years, including 2017. The mosque is currently following all COVID-19 public health measures during this time)
