Muslims in Ottawa and around the world began fasting this week, marking the holy month of Ramadan.
Imam Luqman Ahmed led Friday prayer at the Baitun Naseer Mosque in Cumberland.
"Ramadan is basically the fasting in the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims," Imam Ahmed told CTV News Ottawa. "It’s one of the five fundamental, or the most basic practices in the religion of Islam."
Fasting for 30 days, Muslims will refrain from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset.
"While Muslims are fasting, they concentrate more on worship of God, their connection with God, as well as connecting and serving fellow human beings."
Ahmed says charity is an important component of the month, “Because, as we ourselves are staying hungry, one of the aims of that is that we feel the hunger and the difficulties other people go through."
"It is a process to become a better person, and I think both spiritually and physically, I make all the efforts to come out as a better person at the end of Ramadan," says Selim Khan, who attended Friday prayers.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Baitun Naseer Mosque opens its doors to members, as well as inviting the entire community to gather, share a meal and attend programming.
"I enjoy it very much, my kids as well - joining the programs, listening to the commentary of the holy Quran and also breaking fast together with all the members of the community," Khan said.
"At the end of the day, when you sit around the table, with a food at the table you finally get to enjoy that food. You really feel how lucky you are to have it," says Samar Naveed.
"It’s a way to connect to everybody, and see how everybody is doing. It’s really a busy time of year for us; our Mosque is really full with people and it’s the best time, really," says Abdul Chaudhry, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama' at Ottawa East Local President.
At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the joyous Eid Al-Fitr Holiday, when children often receive gifts.
Some flights into the New York City area on Wednesday were delayed and some briefly halted because of reduced visibility from wildfire smoke from Canada.
With the latest hike bringing Canada's key interest rates to levels not seen since 2001, one mortgage broker is warning that it may be 'the last straw' for some homeowners with variable mortgages.
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
World Wrestling Entertainment legend The Iron Sheik has died. He was 81.
It's been a busy, tumultuous few days for Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex as he took his place on the witness stand in his trial against the Mirror Group Newspapers. Here are royal commentator Afua Hagan's top takeaways from his two-day grilling.
The Bank of Canada's latest decision to raise its key interest rate comes at a time when many are struggling to afford their homes. CTVNews.ca wants to hear from people in Canada who are going to great lengths to find affordable housing.
Poor air quality is forecast to persist into the weekend across parts of Ontario, as plumes of wildfire smoke blanket the province and prompt school boards to limit outdoor activities.
The man who was found not criminally responsible in the stabbing deaths of five people at a house party in Brentwood more than nine years ago is seeking more freedoms.
One of the architects of the law that governs Canada's prison system says it's understandable people want revenge on killer and serial rapist Paul Bernardo, but that's not what the prison system is designed for.
The chief of the Shelburne Volunteer Fire Department says the blaze near Barrington Lake, which is now classified as “held,” is unlike anything he’s ever seen.
Halifax media outlets were given a tour of the neighbourhoods hardest hit by the Tantallon wildfire Tuesday afternoon and saw firsthand the damage and destruction left behind.
Irving Oil says it’s undertaking a “strategic review” with an eye to its future. In a release Wednesday, the company says it’s looking at a number of options, including the sale of its assets.
The air quality in Toronto has become so polluted due to forest fires in Quebec and Ontario that strenuous outdoor activities could leave you coughing and with an itchy throat.
Indigo founder Heather Reisman announced she is retiring as almost half of the book retailer's board of directors steps down.
One person is dead following a fire at a commercial building in Toronto’s west end, says Toronto fire.
The coalition of 23 Quebec municipalities are challenging the French-language law (Bill 96) on the following points: contracts and communication, the obligation to adopt resolution to maintain bilingual status, illegal searches and seizures, government grants and the obligation to discipline employees.
Further evacuations are necessary in Abitibi and Nord-du-Québec due to forest fires. Although the situation has improved on the North Shore due to rain, no precipitation is expected further west until Monday.
In an interview on CJAD 800 Radio, Quebec Conservative Party leader Eric Duhaime said the new measures in place related to Quebec's ammendments to the French Language Charter have made Quebec a 'laughingstock' and that phone and website messages are 'offensive.'
A northern Ontario forest fire that started west of Sudbury on Sunday morning has grown to more than 1,000 hectares and has prompted officials to issue an evacuation order for the immediate area as the number of active fires in the region grows.
Two lucky lottery ticket holders in British Columbia and Ontario will split the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot.
Poor air quality is forecast to persist into the weekend across parts of Ontario, as plumes of wildfire smoke blanket the province and prompt school boards to limit outdoor activities.
A lifejacket and a swift response by the community are credited with saving the life of a swimmer who had drifted from shore near Grand Bend last weekend.
Smoke from wildfires in Quebec and Northern Ontario is finding its way into the region. While the London, Ont. area has escaped the extreme haze seen over parts of Eastern Ontario, a special air quality advisory is in effect — anyone looking up Tuesday evening could see why.
Construction has started on Dundas Street between Quebec and Egerton streets. The work is for the East London Link and is expected to take about two months to complete.
A section of Main Street is closed on Wednesday morning following a car crash in the area.
Two women who spent four decades helping youth in Winnipeg have received Canada’s highest civilian honour.
Big changes could be coming to a large, empty building on Broadway in Winnipeg.
One unified city – that’s what six Region of Waterloo councillors say they want when it comes to the future of the region’s municipal governance.
High levels of air pollution have developed in Waterloo region and Wellington County as smoke plumes from wildfires burning in Quebec and northeastern Ontario continue to blow into the region, Environment Canada says.
The plan to build what would be the tallest towers in Kitchener came under the scrutiny of those who would be living nearby.
The man who was found not criminally responsible in the stabbing deaths of five people at a house party in Brentwood more than nine years ago is seeking more freedoms.
Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund was named a finalist for the King Clancy Award by the NHL Wednesday.
It's going to get hot in Calgary and several other communities, Environment and Climate Change Canada is warning.
A willingness to hire newcomers to Canada has brought new business to Nestor’s Bakery.
A Saskatoon fire investigator says a blaze that destroyed a garage in the Kelsey Woodlawn neighbourhood on Tuesday could be arson.
A 31-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in a death on the Moosomin First Nation.
The man who was found not criminally responsible in the stabbing deaths of five people at a house party in Brentwood more than nine years ago is seeking more freedoms.
A pedestrian was seriously injured in a hit-and-run in northeast Edmonton Tuesday night.
One person is dead after a crash involving a semi truck northwest of Westlock on Tuesday.
As the weather heats up across B.C.’s Lower Mainland this week, other areas of the province are setting records for cool temperatures.
A reward of $100,000 is up for grabs as police in Metro Vancouver renew calls for help finding 36-year-old Cody Timothy Casey—a man wanted Canada-wide for a total of 17 drugs and firearms offences.
The pounding sounds of running on hardwood, the smash of the ball hitting the boards and the cheer of the crowd—it’s officially lacrosse season at Queens Park Arena in New Westminster.
With no air conditioning available at their kids' schools, some Regina parents are opting to keep their children home as temperatures rise.
Family and friends gathered at the spot Haven Dubois's mother pulled his body from the water eight years ago, ready to embark on a cross Canada journey in his honour.
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
