Council of Imams of Ottawa-Gatineau Ramadan 1445 2024 Announcement

Sunday, March 10, 2024 All praise belongs only to Allah (SWT) the Almighty.

May the peace and blessing be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, the faithful companions, and all those who follow them.

Based on the global moonsighting requirements, the Council of Imams of Ottawa-Gatineau (the Council) has validated the actual moonsighting information on the evening of Sunday, March 10 (Sha’ban 29, 1445). Therefore, the Council hereby declares that the first of Ramadan will be on Monday, March 11, 2024.

Accordingly, Taraweeh prayers will begin tonight on March 10, 2024 insha-Allah. Ramadan, the month of the Quran and fasting is a unique month in our calendar that not only brings along enormous blessings of Allah but also the opportunity for our forgiveness and extending kindness to others. T

he Council is encouraging everyone to partake in your neighbourhood masjid, draw benefit from the congregational prayers; and secure the assured reward from Allah (SWT).

This year the month of Ramadan is all the more important for us to make duas and show our generosity as the humanity is helplessly witnessing unprecedented loss of life, force displacements, and unfathomable extreme human suffering in the land of Palestine. The Council is urging the believers to keep all those innocent victims of wars and injustice in your prayers through days and nights, and do what you can to provide assistance through the recognized relief agencies. Zakatul Fitr: Following the fiqhi rules on the type of commodities and their respective weights, the Council has set $10 per person as a minimum to be paid on behalf of each family member including underage children. Anyone wishing to pay more may do so since there is no upper limit for this obligation.

The Council is also encouraging the community to pay Zakatul Fitr as early as possible so that the most deserving people may benefit immediately during the blessed month.

As we set out to observe this blessed month of Ramadan, the Council of Imams of Ottawa-Gatineau extends its best wishes to all Canadians and Muslim communities nationwide. We hope that our fasting and good deeds will be accepted and well-received by Allah the Almighty. We call upon all Canadians and Muslims to keep in their prayers the global victims of war(s) and natural disasters. Let us encourage one another in earning the pleasure of Allah (SWT) through the acts of piety, righteousness, generosity and service to humanity.

Signed virtually by: All affiliated Imams of the Council of Imams of Ottawa-Gatineau