A day of religious significance

DURHAM -- Durham's Muslim community will be saying "Eid Mubarak" or a "Blessed Eid" in celebration of the end of Ramadan this weekend.

Eid-ul-Fitr (The festival of fast-breaking) lasts three days, although the main festivities begin on the first day. This year, the prayer and celebration are on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Pickering Recreation Complex tennis courts at 8:20 a.m.

"It is a joyous occasion, similar to Christmas in its celebration but with strong religious significance," said Mohammed Rahim, president of the Pickering Islamic Centre.

The PIC is a non-profit, charitable, religious organization that provides Islamic education and services to the Muslim community. The centre also participates in inter-faith dialogue once a month and raises funds for causes, such as the $56,000 it raised for Tsunami relief. Mr. Rahim said about 80 per cent who use the centre are from Pickering, and the rest come from various parts of Durham.

Mr. Rahim explained that during Eid, Muslims don't only celebrate the end of fasting, but they thank Allah for giving them the strength to practise self-control throughout the month of Ramadan which is considered the most blessed month of the Islamic year, and consists of strict fasting.

"Eid is also a time of forgiveness and making amends," Mr. Rahim said. He added if two people aren't fond of one another, this is the time to make up.

Muslims dress in their best or new clothes on the first day of Eid to celebrate the occasion and prepare delicious meals.

"We make sweet dishes, we make some curry, stuff like that, and rice called 'biryani' - they make it everywhere," he said. "Different people make different food depending on their culture."

Children also receive gifts and money from their parents and relatives. Mr. Rahim said his daughter, for example, carries her purse throughout the day, collecting small amounts of money from relatives. It's also a time to decorate homes, such as "changing the bedrooms, bedsheets, bed covers, and curtains." He added some people even change their furniture, which happens once every two or three years.

Mr. Rahim explained it's obligatory for Muslims to give generously during Eid. The Islamic Centre donates $1,000 to the Ajax-Pickering hospital foundation each year, for example.

Mr. Rahim also gave an update on the state of the mosque, and said the $3.8 million structure is almost complete. Small projects like installing chandeliers, washrooms and light fixtures remain. He explained $3.2 million has been paid, and it needs another $600,000 to pay it off. The centre does not take loans from the bank or any organization, but they have accepted some small interest-free loans.

"This has all been contributed by the community," he said. He added fundraising dinners around three times a year helps raise money for the mosque. He also attributed it to the growing Muslim population in Durham.