IN MINUTES News and events — visually 

5 Pillars of IslamSIAM (Fasting)The aim is to encourage self-discipline and self control. Ritual fasting is an obligatory act during themonth of Ramadan. Muslims must abstain from food, drink, and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk

during this month, and are to be especiallymindful of other sins.

 

THE SALAT (prayer)Reciting ritual prayers in the proper wayfive times each day

ZAKAT (alms-giving)The practice of charitable giving by Muslimsbased on accumulated wealth, is obligatoryfor all who are able to do so

THE HAJJ (pilgrimage)Every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to makethe pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in theirlifetime if he or she can aord it.

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THE SHAHADA (testimony)A set statement normally recited in Arabic. “(Iprofess that) there is no god except God and (Iprofess that) Muhammad is the Messenger of God”

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Aug. 1 marked the beginning of Ramadan for more than 800,000 Muslims across Canada. During this holy monthbelievers refrain from eating, drinking and making love from dawn to dusk. Between abstinence and devotion, observing

the young in constant increase is a reflection of the dynamism of religious practice in this community.

The holy month

2031*2006200119911971194519311871

2,870,000

64533,370

253,260

884,000

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11% OF THEPOPULATION 

in the Montreal metropolitanarea are Muslim

Muslims are thefastest-growingreligious group inCanada

Immigrantsfleeing warand politicalrefugeesfrom Iran andAfghanistan

Wave of highlyeducatedimmigrantswho come toCanada duringand afterWorld War II

Number of Muslims

The Islamic mosaic Canada

547,000Muslims

Religion,2031

Non-Christianreligion

Muslim

 

64.8%

20.9 %

6.8 %

14.3 %

No religion

Christiandenominations

Commemoratesthe revelation ofthe Qur’an to the

Prophet Muhammad

Beginning of themonth of young

End of the monthof young

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The 2011 Calendar

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DAILY...

• Before dawn (Fajr)First meal before the dawnprayer

• DayAbstinence from food,drinks and sex

• Sunset (lftar)Meal breaking the fast

• Night (Taraweeh)Prayer sessions

The end of RamadanEid Al Fitr, also known as Eid Al Sagheer or “The Little Feast,”is one of two main festivals of Islam.

Starting on the 1st of Shawwal, the 10th monthof Islamic lunar calendar, this three-day celebration

marks the end of Ramadan.

On the first day...• Breakfast is eaten as it is forbidden to fast on the Day of Eid.

• An obligatory charity is paid to the poor and the needy• An early morning ceremony with a worship service is held,

usually in a large open place or mosque.• After prayers, Muslims visit their relatives, friends and

acquaintances or hold large communal celebrations in homes,community centres or rented halls.

• Gifts are frequently given to childrenand immediate relatives.

Eid is an Arabic wordmeaning "festivity"

Fitr means "original nature,"implying the restorationof one's best humancomposition.