N.L.'s Muslim community will the end Ramadan by celebrating in their new mosque
They started renovations in December to be ready for this weekend
This weekend marks the end of Ramadan and Muslims in Newfoundland and Labrador will gather to celebrate, just like other years — but this time they'll be doing it in a brand new mosque in St. John's.
The Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador president Haseen Khan said Eid al-Fitr — the end of Ramadan — is typically marked with social visits, gift exchanges, a community dinner, and a prayer.
"We will be offering this prayer at our new mosque, which is a very special event for Muslims in Newfoundland and Labrador," Khan told CBC Radio's T he St. John's Morning Show.
"Here, due to the size of community, there will be two Eid prayers, first at 8 a.m. and second at 9 a.m. on this Sunday."
The association officially took over the new mosque, the former Mary Queen of Peace Catholic church, at the end of December, Khan said.
"We have been busy since then in renovating that place to make it ready at least for the Eid prayer, which will be on this Sunday," he said.
"We are very pleased with its capacity, with its location and parking. So we hope that it is going to be the focal point for Muslims in Newfoundland and Labrador for decades to come."
He said Ramadan — which started on Feb. 28 this year — is an opportunity for Muslims to engage in self-reflection, self-discipline as well as caring and communal cohesion.
"It is the most powerful tool for the rejuvenation of the mind, body and soul," he said, adding it's one of the five pillars of Islam.
Population boom
Across the province, Khan said the Muslim population has had "substantial growth." In the 1990s he said there were about 100 Muslims but within the last 20 years the number has grown to about 10,000 Muslims in the province — 80 per cent of them living in the St. John's area.
He feels reassured by the growth, and says Muslim people feeling comfortable and safe living in Newfoundland and Labrador is a testament to the welcoming attitude of the people of the province.
Khan said the community is excited to celebrate in their new mosque.
"We are pleased. All Muslims can pray under one roof and I think this is bringing lots of joy, excitement to the community."
A mosque fulfils many different roles in the community, he added, including as a sanctuary to worship, a school for knowledge and a place of refuge.
"It is a cornerstone in the life of Muslims."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
Saskatchewan celebrates Eid Al-Adha
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Eid Al-Adha is a annual celebration for Muslims around the world to remember a prophet's story from the Holy Book Quran on Friday. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Thousands of Muslims in Saskatchewan came out to listen to the morning Eid sermon which was followed by a short prayer. Muslims typically celebrate Eid by sharing food, donating to the less fortunate and spending time with family and friends. More details can be found in the video above.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Praying in unity': Eid worshippers celebrate Feast of Sacrifice
Around 15,000 local Muslims converged on the convention centre Friday to mark Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice. The event remembers the story in the Qur'an of Ibrahim's willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son, Ishmael (known as Abraham and Isaac in the Old Testament, or what Jews call the Tanakh). It was held in three sessions to accommodate everyone who came to pray and hear sermons from Islamic leaders. French speaking worshippers also gathered at the Heather Curling Club for prayers. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Around 15,000 local Muslims converged on the convention centre Friday to mark Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice. Ismael Mukhtar, an imam at the Grand Mosque, preached about the importance of being willing to follow God in life and to submit to him. One of the leaders who preached at the convention centre was Ismael Mukhtar, an imam at the Grand Mosque. During his sermon, Mukhtar spoke about the importance of being willing to follow God in life and to submit to him. 'As Muslims, we are to follow the example of Ibrahim, to be willing to sacrifice what is most precious to us for God,' he told the gathering. That, he added, is the essence of Islam, that 'we are willing to go to the furthest point of sacrifice in obedience to the creator.' Eid al-Adha occurs at the end of the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage, to Mecca. Like Eid al-Fitr, which takes place at the end of Ramadan, it has a major focus on charity, or what Muslims qurbani, or sacrifice. In some countries in the global south, it is common for people to kill a goat, sheep or cow and donate some of the meat to people in need. In Canada, people donate an equivalent amount of the cost of an animal to an organization like Islamic Relief Canada, which uses the funds for programs overseas. Manitoba Muslims were also encouraged to donate to the Canadian Red Cross to help wildfire evacuees. 'We are to care about people around the world, but also about people closer to home,' Mukhtar said. Hisham Ali, a refugee from Sudan, said the celebration was a time to 'enjoy praying with people from other cultures.' Separated from his family for more than two years, praying with a large group helped Ali, although he admitted it was difficult praying without his family. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Eid al-Adha occurs at the end of the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage, to Mecca. Fellow newcomer, Saheed Adeniyi, was happy to see people from different countries and cultures 'praying in unity.' Formerly from Nigeria, he said he hoped the Winnipeg community could see people coming together as one and be kind to one another. Sundays Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba. Nedzima Mehmedovic, who was there with her daughter, Adna, and mother, Nazifa Vukovic, called the prayers beautiful. Mehmedovic, who has been in Canada for 20 years after immigrating with her family from Bosnia, says Eid al-Adha is a 'spiritually fulfilling' time. 'It's good to be with so many worshippers,' she said. After the prayers, participants went to their homes to be with families and friends and to share meals together. faith@ The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba. If you appreciate that coverage, help us do more! Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow us to deepen our reporting about faith in the province. Thanks! BECOME A FAITH JOURNALISM SUPPORTER John LonghurstFaith reporter John Longhurst has been writing for Winnipeg's faith pages since 2003. He also writes for Religion News Service in the U.S., and blogs about the media, marketing and communications at Making the News. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Symbolism and smiles during the stoning of the devil ritual at the Hajj
MINA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — For some, the stoning of the devil ritual at the Hajj in Saudi Arabia marks a solemn moment, a complete submission to God. For others, it represents a victory over evil. Subardi Abdulaha, from Indonesia, was one of more than 1.6 million pilgrims in Mina on Friday throwing pebbles at pillars with gusto. 'I'm doing the jamarat,' said Abdulaha, referring to the three vast concrete structures. He smiled and his eyes lit up. 'I throw the stone as a symbol against Satan!' Pilgrims had collected their pebbles overnight Thursday from Muzdalifah, an area located a few kilometers (miles) away from Arafat, a hill outside the city of Mecca with great spiritual significance. They must throw seven pebbles at each of the three pillars. Mina is where Muslims believe the Prophet Ibrahim's faith was tested when God commanded him to sacrifice his only son Ismail. The devil appeared before Ibrahim three times, trying to dissuade him from obeying God. The prophet responded each time by throwing stones at the devil, driving him away. Sundays Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba. Ibrahim was prepared to submit to the command, but God stayed his hand and spared his son. In the Christian and Jewish versions of the story, Abraham is ordered to kill his other son, Isaac. The Eid al-Adha holiday, observed worldwide by Muslims and timed to coincide with the end of the Hajj, celebrates Ibrahim's submission to God. After the stoning ritual, men shaved their head and women trimmed their hair by a length of a fingertip. Those who could afford it sacrificed an animal. Saudi officials were stationed throughout Mina to assist pilgrims, providing them with directions and distributing water to ease the strain of the heat. Temperatures reached a high of 46 degrees Celsius (114 degrees Fahrenheit) on Friday. Many pilgrims went to Mecca afterwards to circuit the Kaaba, the black, cube-shaped structure in the holy city, and walk between the hills of Safa and Marwah, completing the core rites of the Hajj.
