In a heartwarming display of community spirit and religious devotion, members of Windsor's Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at marked the holy month of Ramadan by serving meals to those in need at the Downtown Mission this week. The event, held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, saw volunteers preparing and distributing pilau, a fragrant dish of rice and meat, to vulnerable individuals.
Ahmadiyya Kitchen Initiative: A Monthly Commitment
This act of service is not an isolated occurrence but part of the group's ongoing Ahmadiyya Kitchen initiative. Volunteers regularly prepare hot food at their mosque and serve it at local shelters once a month, demonstrating a sustained commitment to addressing food insecurity in the community.
Fasting Volunteers Empathize with Hunger
What made this particular service day especially poignant was that most of the volunteers were observing Ramadan, fasting from dawn until sunset. Luqman Ejaz, a volunteer, explained the significance: "This one's a little bit more special. It's the holy month of Ramadan, so most of our volunteers here are actually fasting."
Ejaz elaborated on the empathetic connection fasting fosters: "When you're fasting, it also allows you to empathize more, and kind of experience the feeling of not being able to have food. It's, unfortunately, what a lot of people in the community feel."
The cooking and serving effort involved four men preparing the food and six others distributing heaping plates to those in need, including young participants like six-year-old Muaaz Ahmad.
Deepening Community Ties Through Service
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at has been feeding vulnerable people at shelters for several years, but recently expanded their efforts to a monthly schedule with hopes of increasing their impact. Ejaz emphasized the spiritual dimension of serving during Ramadan: "It's a spiritual month, and it's a holy month for us, where there's a lot of reflection and even a heightened sense of service to mankind, service to humanity."
Invitation to Learn and Share
To foster greater understanding and community building, the group is inviting the public to an iftar event—the evening meal that breaks the fast—on Thursday, February 26, at 5 p.m. at the Baitul Ehsan Mosque, located at 1957 Head Ave. in Windsor's South Walkerville neighbourhood.
The event will include:
- A brief introduction to Ramadan
- An opportunity to ask questions about fasting and Islamic practices
- A shared dinner open to all
Ejaz extended a warm invitation: "For anybody that might be interested in building bridges, getting to know what Ramadan is all about, ask any questions they have about fasting and why we do it, this is a great opportunity for them. It's a free dinner, and everybody's welcome, all religions and all backgrounds."
This initiative highlights how religious observance and community service intersect, creating meaningful connections while addressing practical needs in Windsor.
