Honourable senators, I rise today on behalf of Senators Ataullahjan, Gerba, Yussuff, Jaffer and Al Zaibak to recognize an occasion that reminds us of the essence of compassion, unity and gratitude. Tomorrow evening marks Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking Fast, celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a sacred time of fasting, benevolence and spiritual reflection for Muslims worldwide.

With increasing global polarization, it is crucial to reflect on the values that bind us together as humanity. Eid al-Fitr serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the power of resilience, faith and community. It is a time when families and communities come together, regardless of background or creed, to celebrate the blessings of life, the strength found in diversity and the importance of extending a hand of kindness to those in need.

These celebrations often include families and communities gathering around festive meals and people taking the opportunity to connect with their old and new friends, creating special moments and memories to share. For many children, Eid comes along with sweet treats and gifts to share — or not — with their siblings and fun activities that provide opportunities to connect with cultural roots and local community.

This past weekend, I had the privilege of spending some time with my sisters Aisha and Nuru in Aurora. We reflected on our blessing of being part of this wonderful country and our respect for our pluralistic nation.

As we navigate through the complexities of our modern world, it is imperative that we draw inspiration from the values that are upheld during this period — values of peace, compassion and understanding. In the face of conflict and division, let us reaffirm our commitment to dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect and not allow the foundations of our beliefs to be marginalized by fundamental and extremist views.

I extend my warm wishes on behalf of all of us here today to the broader Muslim community on this joyous occasion. May Eid serve as a reminder of our shared humanity and our collective responsibility to strive for a world where peace and harmony prevail.

Thank you. Meegwetch.