Solemn prayers and warm smiles washed over the Bradford library this week.
More than 120 people turned out to celebrate the end of Ramadan with art, refreshments, prayers and donations as part of an Eid al-Fitr (or breaking of the fast) event hosted by the Islamic Society of Simcoe County at the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library on Wednesday morning, April 10.
“It was amazing. The community is growing really fast,” organizer Wali Naimi said, adding the group had only expect about 80 people to attend. “We were more than full. We were not expecting that, but it was nice to see everyone happy and ready to celebrate.”
So many people attended that as Imam Basith Qari led everyone in prayer, more than one dozen participated from out in the adjoining foyer.
The Islamic holy day marks the end of Ramadan, during which time many Muslims fast from dawn to sunset for 30 days, and this year ran from March 10 to April 9.
“It’s a feast of happiness where everybody fasted for 30 days because that’s a commandment of God and also to help the needy people. So we are collecting some money and then we’re going to send it to the needy people, either in the area or we send it to the needy people overseas,” Naimi said.
Looking ahead to the next year, the group is seeking an even bigger venue.
As the Islamic Society is relatively new, they do not yet have a website or social media pages, but Naimi said work on those is underway.
