Ramida was the original word for Ramadan which means “scorching” or “intense” heat. Also spelt as Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, or Ramathan, Muslims observe this Islamic festival worldwide as a season of fasting, meditation, prayer, reflection, mortification, and communal living. Though there is no solid connection between the etymology of Ramadan and the modern-day celebration, it’s an important feast in Islamism. Historically, it is a commemoration of the Holy Prophet Muhammed’s revelation. Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and can last up to twenty-nine or thirty days. In this season, every healthy Muslim is mandated to fast.
Since the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, the month of Ramadan rotates approximately ten days each year. So, this year’s feast of Ramadan is expected to begin on wednesday, March 10th, 2024, though depending on when the moon appears. Since the celebration falls on Saturday in Canada and is not a public holiday, some businesses may operate with the normal weekend opening hours. There is often a Ramadan calendar for each state, region or city in the country, kindly check with your mosque.
In Canada, Ramadan starts with a Muslim practice called sawn also known as fasting (intentional and purposeful fasting; niyya). This doesn't mean that one has to live without water, food and drinks for the twenty-nine or thirty days of the Ramadan period. The fasting exercise implies that a bonafide Muslim shouldn't drink anything or take food while the sun shines. Most families usually eat sohour early in the morning before sunrise. When the sun sets, you can then eat iftar marking the end of the day’s fasting. Many Canadian prefer eating konafa or qattayef at iftar which is a sweetened cake containing wheat, honey, raisins and nuts, an energy booster.
The dates and days for celebrating Ramadan vary from one country and state to another because the feast is linked to the lunar cycle which isn't the same every year. Scientifically, the lunar year is less than the earth year by approximately ten days. This means that the dates for Ramadan in the next year always fall back by ten days, hence the following years’ Ramadan are always celebrated 10 days earlier than the previous ones. For instance, the 2023 Ramadan may commence on Wednesday, March 22 which is 10 days earlier than the 2022 Ramadan celebrated on Saturday, April 2. Since the feast starts once the moon is sighted, the preparations for Ramadan may begin on different days, dates, and times across the globe.
During Ramadan, there is an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Most Canadian families enjoy eating dates, brown rice, berries, dry fruits, nuts, Himalayan salt and low-carbohydrate cooking oil. You can use all these lists of items in your dishes from suhoor to iftar. I strongly recommend adding walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and every other healthy food containing vitamins and minerals naturally processed without additives. Aside from food, Canadian Muslims spend money on stickers, Ramadan lamps, landler holders, and labels to decorate their rooms and homes.
You can start ordering for your Ramadan home decorations, foods and outfits from AliExpress. More preferably, you can buy Ramadan gifts from Etsy and send them to nearby and distant friends. Walmart also offers good deals on fruits and juice drinks during Ramadan. Other stores include Hani Ramadan, Eidway, Noorart, Desertcard and so many other stores selling affordable products. I suggest you begin ordering your Ramadan gifts, items and foodstuff early to enjoy discounts and promos.
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