Asalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah dear Brothers and Sisters,

I pray that each of you are well, and that your families and communities around you are well, healthy, and safe, inshaAllah.

As Ramadan approaches us this year, I am optimistic and hopeful.  Last year, we approached Ramadan with confusion, apprehension, and many ambiguities.  This year, I believe we approach Ramadan with hope, optimism, and the experiences of last year to help us believe and know that there is so much that is possible.  That indeed our community is one of immense resilience and comes together in unique ways.  That indeed we are a community that finds strength when we come together and hold firmly the rope of Allah (swt).

وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّـهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّـهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّـهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُون
And hold firmly to the rope of Allah and do not be divided. Remember Allah’s favour upon you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts, so you—by His grace—became brothers. And you were at the brink of a fiery pit and He saved you from it. This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to you, so that you may be ˹rightly˺ guided.  Qur’an, 3:103

I am pleased to announce that our chapters across the country are coming together this Ramadan again to provide meaningful services for the community to feel the communal spirit of Ramadan.

MAC is excited to share the news that our efforts to raise the Athan have been supported by the City of Edmonton. The Athan can also be broadcasted in all future Ramadans – without needing future approval!  May Allah (swt) accept the efforts of our brothers and sisters in Edmonton who have championed this effort.

Our MAC Juniors have also been ramping up to bring you yet another Amazing Race: Ramadan Edition 2021, so be sure to register your children for a spiritual journey that will lift the little hearts in our community.

Our MAC Youth Department is also getting ready to bring you another Ramadan of activities.  Be sure to encourage all the youth around you to tune in to the MAC Youth Show!  It will be filled with spiritual talks, games, and competitions, inshaAllah. Our chapters will also be organizing spiritual and informative webinars with leaders across the country.  So be sure to stay tuned for more details on those!

I encourage you to stay updated on the programs of each local chapter as we gear up for a beautiful Ramadan, inshaAllah.  Every chapter will continue to abide by the local COVID-19 regulations, continuing to provide meaningful programs, while ensuring the safety of the community.

May Allah (swt) accept your fast and all your worship through the blessed month, inshaAllah.

Stay tuned for amazing Eid programming announcements coming up through Ramadan!

Jazakum Allahu Khair

Sharaf Sharafeldin, Executive Director
Muslim Association of Canada