Assalam u 'alikum wa rehmatullahi wa barakatuhu

As per the announcement from Hilal Council of Canada, the new crescent for Ramadan has not been sighted!  

Accordingly, Pickering Islamic Centre declares the 1^st of Ramadan 1445 to be on Tuesday, March 12^th, 2024.

 InshaAllah the first night of Taraweeh will be on Monday, March 11^th, 2024.

 Pickering Islamic Centre management and administration wishes everyone a blessed Ramadan!

Assalamu-Alaikum…

We hope and pray that you and your family are safe and inshaAllah getting ready for the blessed month of Ramadan. Attached is our 2024/1445 Ramadan Calendar and donation forms.

We wish to express our deep gratitude for your donations to the Pickering Islamic Centre over the years. Your contributions have made a huge and lasting difference in upgrading and maintaining the PIC facilities and services for the community. We were able to achieve and present the following programs in-person and online.

Purchased:

• For a purchase price of $3M dollars, we acquired a property of 9.2 acres at 2595 Whites Rd, Pickering. The closing is on April 2^nd, 2024 Insha’Allah.
• For a purchase price of $60,000 we ordered a new funeral vehicle. The vehicle is scheduled to be delivered in a couple of months Insha’Allah.
   

Facility Upgrades:

• Carpet for prayer halls and lobby replaced.
• Replaced concrete ramp and all steps around the building.
• We got the Masjid exterior walls washed and cleaned.
• Sister’s area renovated.

Academic Education:

Brock Elementary School JK to Grade 7

Religious Education:

Spiritually Motivating Programs:

Youth & Kids Programs:

Seniors Program:

• Continued monthly programs for seniors
• Seniors’ trips and picnics during the summer
  
  Humanitarian Relief:
• Relief for victims of natural disasters
• Distribution of Sadaqah, Fitrah and Zakah donations according to the Shariah rulings
• Emergency Community Support programs - Distribution of groceries hampers
   

Other Programs:

• Programs by medical professionals on current topics in the health sector and its Islamic perspective
• CPR training programs for bystanders
• Books fairs
• Annual Refresh
   

Funeral Services:

• Funeral Services available on a 24/7 basis.
   

We could not have done all the above and much more without your generous donations and volunteer support. We look forward to your continued support to Pickering Islamic Centre – Masjid Usman.

JazakumuAllahu khairan

Mohammed Ehtesham Rahim
President

Donations: https://masjid.ca/donate

Fundraising

Coming soon

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the month of fasting for Muslims. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam; the others are confession of faith, five daily prayers, Zakah (almsgiving) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah). Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new moon, which is determined by the regional hilal (crescent) committee.

Why Muslims Fast?
According to the Qur’an “Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you may learn self-restraint”. Fasting, which is recognized for its health, spiritual and psychological benefits, is considered by Muslims to improve their moral character and provides an opportunity for a spiritual renewal. Fasting helps one, grow closer to the One God, Allah.

Purpose of Fasting
The real purpose of fasting is not to make us hungry and thirsty, or to deprive us some of our comfort and conveniences but to be conscious of Allah. It is to do one's best to live by His commands and to avoid His prohibitions, fear of Allah, worship of Allah, sincerity in faith, and avoid the disobedience to Allah. Fasting is an invisible act. Only Allah and the person who is fasting know whether he or she is fasting or not. Fasting teaches how to control and discipline our desires. During fasting we learn how to say "no" to things that are otherwise permissible and good but are forbidden during fasting. When one learns how to say "no" to that which is generally permissible, then one can easily control oneself to avoid that which is forbidden. Through fasting we taste—to some extent—the pain and suffering of those who are poor and destitute. Fasting teaches empathy and sympathy, and it takes away some of our selfishness and self-centerdness.

How Muslims Fast
Muslims fast from early dawn to sunset every day throughout the month. The fast requires Muslims to abstain from food, drink, marital relations and ill-conduct during the fast.

Who Fasts
Fasting in Ramadan is compulsory on all Muslims, who are physically and mentally healthy and matured. Those exempted from fasting are the sick, old, pregnant and menstruating women and travelers. Pregnant and menstruating women and travelers make up the missed days by fasting at a later time.

Typical day during the Month
The day of fasting begins with an early morning meal before dawn and ends at sunset. The evening activities include a simple traditional meal of a few dates and water (iftar), the sunset prayer followed by dinner. Muslims would then go to the mosque for congregational prayers in which at least one-thirtieth of the Qur’an is recited. The congregation would have listened to the recitation of the entire Qur’an by the end of the month.

End of Ramadan
This year, Ramadan will conclude on April 9th or 10th, 2024 depending on the sighting of the moon. The celebration marking the end of Ramadan is called Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the two major celebrations in Islam.