Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr in Dome Building
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/04/2024 (889 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Western Manitoba’s growing Muslim community came together on Wednesday in Brandon to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
“Everybody is enjoying the food and socialization with their families,” said Amir Farooq, president of the Brandon Islamic Centre.
He estimated that about 500 people flocked to the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba’s Dome Building for the event. Throughout Ramadan, he said, more than 100 people were showing up to nightly prayers at the centre beginning at 10 p.m. and ending at 11:30.
Sofia Parveen takes part in prayers for Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, at the Dome Building in Brandon on Wednesday morning. Hundreds of members of Westman’s Muslim community took part in the celebration. (Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Wednesday’s Eid al-Fitr celebration began with Imam Ubaydullah Surati leading the congregants in prayer. At the end of the prayer, he thanked them for their commitment to the month-long fast.
Imam Surati emigrated from India almost two years ago to lead the BIC’s congregation. His son was born 10 months ago in Brandon.
Like the imam, many of the congregants at the event are new Canadians.
“We are having a good time, with great people,” said Akeem Alabi, who emigrated from Nigeria nine months ago with his wife and three children.
Farooq pointed out that many Nigerians have been immigrating to Manitoba in recent months. He also said the BIC’s expanding community represents more than 23 countries from North Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Members of Brandon’s Muslim community help themselves to a feast after prayers for Eid al-Fitr.
“I heard from a lot of professionals who are staying here longer because they said that everything is here in Brandon — we have a lot of stores, we have the mosque,” Farooq said.
“Now the major thing we need is kind of a bigger space.”
The BIC is located at 834 10th St., but the board has been seeking a bigger location for months. The current space cannot accommodate events as large as Wednesday’s Eid al-Fitr celebration, forcing the BIC to rent spaces for big events.
The board is working with the Rural Municipality of Cornwallis and the City of Brandon to find a new location that would include a recreational facility and adequate prayer space.
» cmcconkey@brandonsun.com
Community members take part in prayers for Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)