Eid al-Fitr is a moral reminder for Calgary's Muslim community

As the sun began to set on Tuesday evening, David Drinnan broke his fast for the last time this year and set out with a group of friends to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

Eid al-Fitr, which means “celebration of fasting” in Arabic, is one of the two main holidays for Muslims.

This marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the new month of Shawwal.

Every year during Eid al-Fitr, Muslims around the world and here in Calgary gather with friends and family for celebrations and celebrations.

According to Drinnan, this year will be particularly memorable for him.

This is his first full celebration of the holy month since his full conversion to Islam nearly five years ago.

“It was tough at first, but the last 10 days have been especially great,” Drinnan said.

“I think it's something that a lot of people look at and they don't understand, but if you do it for a day, for non-Muslims, it helps you get some perspective. Muslims have it.”

People pray during Eid al-Fitr at the RBC Convention Center in Winnipeg on Wednesday morning. (Brittany Greenslade/CBC)

During Ramadan, Drinnan explored various mosques and Islamic centers around Calgary and spoke with people of various ages and cultural backgrounds.

Through this, he says, he learned more about Islam, fasting and self-improvement.

Now, after 30 consecutive days of fasting, he will wake up to a long-awaited morning coffee and breakfast with Calgary's nearly 100,000 Muslim community.

The first day of Eid usually begins with a special prayer in the morning. Calgary has at least 10 in each quadrant of the city; in mosques, community centers and banquet halls to accommodate the city's growing Muslim population.

According to the city's most recent census, Islam is the third most prevalent religion in Calgary with 95,925 followers.

The story continues

This growth is something Calgary imam Fayaz Tilly has seen firsthand.

At prayers and community gatherings, he says, he often sees people from different ethnic groups speaking different languages ​​coming to the congregation.

“The community has seen exponential growth. It's much more diverse and multicultural,” Tilley said.

For him, it is a reminder of some of the core values ​​of religion.

“What makes it all beautiful is that despite our many differences, we are still united under faith, spirituality and revelation.”

With the challenges and hardships facing Muslims and non-Muslims alike around the world, Tilly says unity and togetherness for all, regardless of religion or creed, is what celebrating Eid means and truly being a Muslim.

“It is not only to form beautiful qualities and habits in this blessed month (Ramadan), but also to ensure their development throughout the year,” he said.

“It's just about doing our part and making sure we leave our world in a better place.”