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Muslims in B.C. dig in for long haul as Ramadan begins during the longest days of the year

Muslims in B.C. dig in for long haul as Ramadan begins during the longest days of the year

The month-long fasting period known as Ramadan begins this morning, affecting millions of Muslims around the world and thousands across British Columbia.

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Muslim calendar and is marked by abstaining from eating and drinking from dawn until dusk, among other religious activities.

"We're in the thick of summer so now it will be some of the longest days of the year," said Haroon Khan, trustee at the Al-Jamia Masjid in Vancouver.

"We're digging in. This is going to be the longest haul for some time."

Dates for Ramadan are set by the lunar calendar, so they shift by about 10 days earlier each year, Khan said, making this the last year the month will overlap with the summer solstice for another 33 years.

Friday prayer

"Some years from now we'll be fasting and it will be snowing out, and the days will be very short," he said.

Preparations for Ramadan began Friday night at the mosque with the Taraweeh prayer, which is recited every day during Ramadan.

Khan said earlier in the day the mosque also prayed for victims of the recent terrorist attack in Manchester, which authorities in the U.K. believe was set off by a suicide bomber.

"One thing we really make clear is that people who do this kind of thing have a very deluded concept of what Islam is and no way shape or form do we condone any act of violence or terrorism," he said.

Khan said Ramadan is a time for renewal, reflection, inner strength, giving up bad habits and adopting new ones. Muslims observing Ramadan are encouraged to perform acts of charity throughout the month.

"We fast by choice," he said. "Some people, they don't have a choice, so if we can help them that's something we're very honoured to do."