Mosque in Ontario Set to Serve 250 Meals Daily for Ramadan
The mosque's gymnasium has been transformed into a dining hall where the iftar, the meal to break the day's fast, is served each evening, CBC News reported on Monday.
"The mosque does it because it is a service for our community, especially around this time of year to make everyone feel at home," said Hashem Ramadan, treasurer on the board of directors at the mosque in the southwestern Ontario city.
The menu is designed to cater to a diverse crowd, featuring a rotation of dishes like chicken legs, beef stew, and kofta, complemented by staples such as rice, salad, and occasionally, hummus.
The meals are open to all, with a special invitation extended to students, taxi drivers, and those facing hardships.
Ramadan, a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a time for self-improvement and charitable acts. This year, the fast commenced on Monday in Canada and the US, in alignment with the lunar calendar.
Ali Chabar, the mosque's outreach director, emphasized the importance of inclusivity. “It's very important to feel for the people that don't have the time to cook, especially the students … But we are welcoming anyone, either Muslim or non-Muslim to join us.”
Chabar said serving iftars is an important part of giving back to the community and the need has been great some years.
"It's a very warming feeling, let's put it that way."
Source: Agencies
