Families and friends, dressed in their finest, embraced each other while children ran around clutching chocolate bars as they gathered at the Baitun Nur Mosque in northeast Calgary on Saturday to mark Eid al-Fitr — the end of Ramadan.

Source: calgaryherald.com

Thousands of local Muslims raced home after attending mosque prayers and celebrations to give out gifts for young ones and prepare for family feasts. Eid is a joyous celebration, lasting up to three days in some nations, shared with loved ones and a time to give back to the community.

Mansoor Mansoor embraces a fellow worshipper following the Eid ceremony, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Saturday July 18, 2015 at Baitun Nur Mosque mosque. Muslims attend the congregational Eid prayer service the morning after the end of Ramadan. TED RHODES / CALGARY HERALD

“The main focus of Ramadan is to give,” said Asma Chaudhry, who was busy with food drives and other charity work leading up to Eid celebrations. “It’s about self discipline as well, but it’s also about understanding there are those who go without and it makes you want to give more.”

The day started with prayers, including a special one dedicated to Canada, and a sermon delivered by the mosque’s imam. Afterwards, families headed home to welcome loved ones over for a party, or left to spend the day in the mountains.

It was a particularly special Eid for newlywed Sumaya Rafiq.

“This year it’s different for me. I’m married and I’m spending Eid with my in-laws,” Rafiq said, adding her in-laws drove in from Saskatoon and their party of four planned to go to Bragg Creek for a barbecue and family photos.

To Basma Tariq, Eid has been a significant celebration since she was a child, and the morning prayers are “the most important part of the day.”

Tariq said she was preparing a big brunch for a… read more at