Muslims in Toronto welcome start of Ramadan and season of giving

Muslims in Toronto and around the world are welcoming Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, charity and community gatherings.

Each sunset, worshippers will come together to break their fast at a meal called iftar, including at the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Canada's headquarters in Mississauga, where staff and volunteers will be providing thousands of free meals to people in their community, whether they're Muslim, or non-Muslim.

"Everyone else prepares kind of for big milestones throughout their year. For us, Ramadan is our kind of Super Bowl in the time we prepare the most for," said Dalia Hashim, ISNA Canada's youth, outreach and public affairs manager.

Many Muslim organizations step up their charity work at this time, motivated by the way fasting reminds them of the plight of those less fortunate.

Every year, the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) holds an iftar fundraiser for aid to Gaza.

This year, that effort is especially important given the opportunity to deliver supplies amid the Israel-Hamas war and frigid winter conditions in the region, says IDRF's chief operating officer Nabil Ali.

"I'm going into Ramadan motivated with knowing that we have the ability to to make a difference by ensuring that plates are full and cups have water in them — and that's that's our goal," he said.