Ramadan begins on Sunday night CTV News

The holy month of Ramadan began with the sighting of the new moon on Sunday evening.

The annual tradition calls for fasting, praying, almsgiving and nightly celebrations from dawn to dusk.

“Ramadan is the best opportunity to work on yourself, on your heart, to be a better person,” said Jamal Hammoud, imam of the Akram Jomaa Islamic Center in Calgary.

But Muslims, while respecting the call to faith, are also concerned about the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

The death toll continues to rise as calls for a ceasefire during Ramadan are rejected.

Imam Hammoud says that Ramadan focuses the mind on spiritual matters, while at the same time showing compassion to the victims.

“More than one million people are starving in Gaza,” he said. “That's why we hope that when a Muslim fasts, he remembers these people, they can help and support him.

“We hope to increase the amount of aid during Ramadan.”

Ramadan greetings were conveyed today by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in press releases.