脡cole Allain St-Cyr is more than a school for some on Fridays during part of March and April. By 1:30 p.m., it starts to function as a place of worship.

A steady influx of YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 Muslim community began making their way through the front doors of the school. They smiled, greeted each other and slipped off boots and shoes alike. Their socks muffled their footsteps as each of them scurried into the gymnasium for prayer.

By 2 p.m., about half of the schoolSA国际影视传媒檚 gymnasium was packed. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a weekly routine for this community, as they once again build their way up to the end of Ramadan. Today, theySA国际影视传媒檒l have finished Ramadan and will begin celebrating Eid. But for many, this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 holiday will feel very different.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur hearts are aching. We have pain,SA国际影视传媒� said Nazim Awan, talking about the ongoing war in Gaza.

The numbers arenSA国际影视传媒檛 exact, but they are high. As of February of this year, more than 33,000 people have been killed, according to GazaSA国际影视传媒檚 health ministry.

On Friday, Awan also mentioned GazaSA国际影视传媒檚 death toll and highlighted that much of that total figure is women and children.

SA国际影视传媒淔or this Eid, we cannot ignore that,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Awan said he has been a part of YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 Muslim community for decades; he said when he arrived, he was SA国际影视传媒渙nly maybe the second Pakistani in Yellowknife.SA国际影视传媒�

YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 Muslim community has had quite the spike since and for Awan, itSA国际影视传媒檚 helped him feel more at home.

SA国际影视传媒淚t feels good, you have more of a sense of belonging,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淥ne person, you do whatever you can. But two people, you can move mountains.SA国际影视传媒�

Awan said the Muslim community here is about 600 strong and as diverse as the citySA国际影视传媒檚 entire population. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 also largely filled with youth.

SA国际影视传媒淓very Friday prayer, we see almost 90 per cent new faces, so that feels good,SA国际影视传媒� said Awan.

If anyoneSA国际影视传媒檚 accustomed to seeing new faces, itSA国际影视传媒檚 Habib Hassan, who led FridaySA国际影视传媒檚 prayer and works for the Islamic Centre of Yellowknife.

When prayer ended, Hassan stopped to shake everyoneSA国际影视传媒檚 hand before saying goodbye. After, he spoke about what his community has done for the Palestinian plight as well.

SA国际影视传媒淥ne is our prayers to them,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e held rallies about (a) ceasefire. We want the innocent people to stop dying.SA国际影视传媒�

Hassan added that as Muslims, they have an obligation to care and contribute for Palestinians in whatever way they can.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey also celebrate Eid,SA国际影视传媒� he said, talking about how the community has donated to local charities to support Muslims in the Middle East for Eid expenses.

SA国际影视传媒淲e go on different sites, different organizations and donate there,SA国际影视传媒� Hassan added. SA国际影视传媒淲e need to give them that care.SA国际影视传媒�

Nearly 98 per centofallPalestinians are Muslim, according to the Palestine ChildrenSA国际影视传媒檚 Relief Fund.

As for YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 own Muslim community, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 still much to look forward to, especially with a new Islamic centre on the horizon.

Awan said the building not just for his community, but all of Yellowknife.

SA国际影视传媒淓verybody who wants to know about Islam, theySA国际影视传媒檙e welcome. And if they need help, theySA国际影视传媒檙e welcome. The Islamic centre will be maintained by us, but we do not own that. It belongs to everybody.SA国际影视传媒�

Clarification: A previous version of this article suggested that 脡cole Allain St-Cyr functions as a regular place of worship for the Muslim community. According to the school, the Muslim community only prayed at the facility over the past month. Yellowknifer apologizes for any embarrassment or confusion that this may have caused.