This past weekend, Muslims from all around the world, including Yellowknife, celebrated a special festival in Islam called Eid-ul-Fitr, an Islamic celebration that is observed to mark the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan.

To understand the importance of Eid, one must understand the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims are required to fast from before sunrise until sunset, refraining from food and drink.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, meaning it is a staple of Islamic belief, and it is practised by all men and women who are physically able to fast. It is clearly mentioned in the Holy Quran, the Holy Book for Muslims:

SA国际影视传媒淥 ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.SA国际影视传媒� (chapter 2, verse 184).

The purpose of fasting is to attain righteousness by reaping the benefits of Ramadan. The practice of fasting has been around before Islam and has been practised by many different communities.

Muslims pray five times a day, called Salat (all year round), and this month Muslims instill the habit of prayer more than before. Observing Ramadan, we learn self-discipline by refraining not from only food and drink but also refraining from false words and false actions, such as lying, arguing, anger, etc. Muhammad, the Holy Prophet of Islam, said regarding fasting: SA国际影视传媒淚f you donSA国际影视传媒檛 abstain from evil words and evil deeds, God has no need of your abstaining from food and drink.SA国际影视传媒�

For the acceptance of fasts, it is essential that the person who fasts should also abstain from all sorts of evil words and evil deeds. As fasting is meant to teach a Muslim to not only live an innocent, simple life but also to be a peace-abiding citizen.

As Muhammad also said, SA国际影视传媒淲hen you are fasting, abuse not anybody, nor quarrel with any; and if any person quarrels with you, turn away from him, saying, 'I cannot quarrel with you, for I am observing a fast.'SA国际影视传媒�

Ramadan lasts for a month, and it is a time when Muslims not only refrain from bad actions but also learn and create good daily habits.

The second purpose of fasting during Ramadan is to understand the trouble and the pain which the poor and the needy have to suffer on account of their poverty. Fasting provides that experience. In Yellowknife this year alone, those fasting went through 12-14 hours with no food or drink SA国际影视传媒� each fast being longer than the previous day.

This experience is a small sample of what some people actually suffer each and every day, allowing those who are fortunate to sympathize with the poor and open their hearts to help those in need.

Once Ramadan is completed, then Muslims celebrate Eid. In Yellowknife, Muslims gathered together to offer prayer and enjoy each otherSA国际影视传媒檚 company. They strengthen their spirituality while also strengthening their bonds with each other.

It is a day of happiness but also one of self-reflection to remember all the good habits one observed this month and to apply the true teachings of Islam in their daily lives, even after Eid.