The Williams Lake Muslim community hosted an event on April 6 as they celebrated Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan.
Each year, during Ramadan, Muslims around the world fast during daylight hours for 30 days as a way to practice discipline, reflect spiritually and show their devotion to God.
Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam.
In Williams Lake, a growing Muslim community organized the April 6 event at the St. Andrew's United Church in order to help share some of their religion with the broader community. They saw participation at the event from the Sikh, Ukrainian, Hindu and other communities, with about 150 people coming out to enjoy Eid.
The Muslim group, which started out in 2023 with four people and a small place to pray, has grown considerably, and is now sharing space in the St. Andrew's church, and has formalized into the Williams Lake Muslim Association (WLMA).
The emcee for the evening's event, Dr. Ali Rehman, is the vice-president of the WLMA and said the group continues to grow and has a long-term goal of building their own Islamic centre.
"I love this community, love the people here," he said.
Along with thanking sponsors of the evening's dinner, Rehman thanked FreshCo for offering Halal foods for their community, which are foods permissible for consumption by Islamic law. Meat, excluding pork, must be slaughtered according to Islamic ritual, which specifies swift and humane slaughter as well as Muslim prayer. Islamic law prohibits the consumption of pork.
After a short reading from the Quran, the group invited Williams Lake Mayor Surinderpal Rathor up to speak as well.
'Williams Lake is a mosaic," said Rathor, who got to know the Muslim community through his neighbour.
"Talk to your neighbour, introduce yourself," said Rathor, urging residents to connect and learn from others.
A dinner was shared, featuring Indian and Pakistani food, and there was trivia, games, photo ops and henna painting.
Coun. Michael Moses and Coun. Joan Flaspohler were also in attendance, as invited local dignitaries.
Sarah Kashfia, a 17-year-old attendee of the event had brought along a group of her friends and said the 30 days of Ramadan helps a person focus on those less fortunate.
She said throughout the 30 days, a percentage of a person's salary is given to the poor and the daytime fasting helps her experience what it is like for those who have to go without.
Kenza Lahlou from Morroco, said the practice of fasting reminds her she can overcome difficult things.
"There's a level of restraint that you have to do Ramadan," she said.
