Share Ramadan experiences through storytelling digital collective launched
As Muslims begin to observe Ramadan, a southern Ontario-based artist and activist has launched a campaign he hopes will bridge a gap between cultures.
It’s a digital storytelling initiative designed to help foster a better understanding of the holy month.
The organizer, who goes by his artist name @studentAsim, said he wants people to know that Ramadan is about so much more than fasting and prayer.
“It’s a spiritual pump, you know like you feel like a different person,” he explained.
“Tell a Ramadan Story” invites people from all walks of life to write a story about their Ramadan experience, and share it with an online collective.
“Whether you’re directly from the Muslim community or from the wider community, this is an open call for everyone,” said @studentAsim. “It’s a collective opportunity to tell stories about Ramadan. Even if you have overlap, even if your neighbour is participating and you know something about it. The whole point is that it creates a context, and it creates a better understanding of Ramadan.”
“It can be very inspirational to help people strive,” said Imam Abd Alfatah Twakkal, a Muslim Community faith leader based in London, Ont.
“To be able to see the variety and peoples’ experiences and how they benefited from things in Ramadan is a beautiful thing,” he added.
He reflected on his own Ramadan experiences as a child.
“Ramadan was always a time of great joy, and you know the family experiences that I would go through in terms of being able to break fast together with my parents and my siblings, and then going to the mosque to pray at night,” he explained. “Those are always things that have a deep impact in my experiences and in my memories, and we hope to continue those traditions with my own family.”
Anyone wishing to take part in the Ramadan digital story collective can go to their website.
“No story is too small,” said @studentAsim. “We encourage everyone to share and experience. At the same we invite Canadians to come to the platform and read the stories that other people have submitted.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.