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Seventh Annual Eid Festival –July 25th , 2015.
8-17-2015
Alhamdulillah the Seventh Annual Eid Festival at the Maple Ridge Library was held on Saturday, 25th July, 2015.
It was the mercy of Allah swt that the event was well attended and a resounding success. In attendance were Mr. Randy Kamp, MP, Marc Dalton MLA, Mayor Nicole Read, Councillors Corisa Bell, Craig Speers, Kiersten Duncan of Maple Ridge and Councillors David Murray and Mike Stark from Pitt Meadows.
The guests were welcomed by the Library staff Janeen Parent and Jo-Ann Sleeman . They shared the special relationship that the Library has with the Islamic Society of Ridge Meadows as its best customer and partner in organising the largest cultural event.
Mayor Read shared the contribution of Muslims in the field of knowledge. Taking the science and development from the Greek civilisation and building enormously on it. She informed the guests of the Muslims development of new branches of Science and Mathematics including Algebra and Algorithms. The foundation of computer processing and development of software is based on these sciences.
Marc Dalton commented on Islam being the fastest growing religion today in North America and Europe. People in search of spirituality are turning to it in great numbers.
Mr. Kamp the MP, commented on the essence of Canada as a nation of immigrants. Different groups have migrated to Canada at different periods. Everyone has the right to practise their faith and live in Canada as equal citizens.
On behalf of the Islamic Society of Ridge Meadows, Shakeel welcomed and thanked the guests for being present. The role of the Society as a Muslim organisation providing a forum and opportunity for the Muslim community was also explained. The Voluntary services performed by the Society members especially in terms of visits to the local prisons was also shared with the guests. The Society also announced a donation of $1000.00(one thousand dollars) to the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation.
Mufti Aasim Rashid a local scholar on Islam then shared the concept of fasting in Ramadaan with the guests. He explained that all humans have physical and spiritual components. Throughout the year by indulging in eating and drinking at our whim we are catering to the physical component of the human body .By practicing abstinence and self-denial of physical pleasure including food and drink we attempt to enhance our spiritual aspect. The act of staying hungry and thirsty during the day enables the Muslims to empathise with people around the world who are less fortunate. It is this reason that Muslims are found to be most charitable during the month of Ramadan.
The guests were then invited to enjoy the home cooked food prepared by the Muslims from various countries and regions of the world. The EID Festival would not have been completed without the application of the traditional Henna Tattoos.
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