Ramadan Celebration

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. A foundational pillar of practicing Islam is fasting during the month of Ramadan. This devotional act is observed by over a billion Muslims worldwide today. During this time, Muslims cannot drink (even water), eat, smoke, or be sexually intimate, between the hours of sunrise to sunset every day – out of devotion to God. Fasting has both physical and spiritual benefits, including purifying the soul, inspiring self-reflection, and increasing empathy and good works.

Why is Ramadan celebrated?

God says in the Qur’an,

“Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed, as guidance for humanity…so whoever of you witnesses the month should fast it.”  [2:185]

Muslims therefore celebrate Ramadan by ritually fasting for the entire month in gratitude to God for His final revelation. By restricting the body’s appetites during daylight hours, believers rejuvenate their spirituality, repair their religious conscience, and cultivate their devotion to God. This is the most significant objective of the fast: restoring the centrality of God in our lives.

Ramadan is a period of practicing extra awareness about all the things that could soil our spirituality and fuel the ego that feeds off our catering to its appetites throughout the year. Vices are always forbidden, but we work with even greater dedication to avoid them and excel in devotion, kindness, patience, and forgiveness in Ramadan. By treating Ramadan as the training grounds for the soul, intensely focusing on our day to day actions, practicing self awareness, and being good to others, we hope that these habits continue beyond the month. Such inner purity is the intended result of fasting.

How do you observe Ramadan?

Muslims observe Ramadan by abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and sexual intimacy—all out of devotion to their Creator. They are also called to practice self-restraint and respond to every situation with patience and kindness. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ informed us,

Whoever does not give up lying and acting dishonestly, then [know that] God has no need for this person to give up food and drink (i.e., fasting).” [Sahih al-Bukhari #1903]

In addition to fasting, Muslims also celebrate Ramadan by reciting and studying the Qur’an, performing acts of service, and giving to charity.

SCCC celebrates Ramadan and Iftar every year as a part of our community celebration. We would like to wish a Ramadan Mubarak to members of our community who observe this holy month! We hope these 30 days of fasting bring you joy and renewed faith.

Diwali Celebration

Diwali, also known as the “festival of lights”, is one of the most important Hindu celebrations of the year. It celebrates the victory of good over evil, and the uplifting of spiritual darkness.

At Scadding Court we celebrate this festival by gathering together, with presentations, music and delicious food.

Diwali celebration at Scadding Court video

Lunar/Chinese New Year

Scadding Court celebrates Lunar/Chinese New Year every year as a part our community celebrations. The first day of the Lunar New Year is the first new moon of the first day of the year in the traditional Chinese calendar. In this calendar, months are based on lunar cycles and Chinese New Year usually falls between January 21 and February 21.

Lunar New year celebration at Scadding Court Video – credit Codetski Jaigobin

Black History Month Celebration

SCCC recognizes that every day is a day to celebrate Black communities. We start in February with #BlackHistoryMonth, and continue throughout the year to raise awareness and celebrate Black community achievements every day as part of our heritage, our current society, and the future of our country.

In 2023, Scadding Court has planned various activities to celebrate Black History.

Scadding Court’s Black History Celebration Video
2023 Black History Celebration Program
2023 Black History Celebration Calendar
Movie Night , Feb 17, 6-8pm
In person event celebrating Black History Month in partnership with SCCC, APCC and APNLC

Free Settlement Services in the Community

Provided in partnership with Sanderson Library and Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, services offered include: settlement workers on- site at the Library providing information, referral, interpretation etc., and The Great Start Together Perinatal Program at the Health Centre.

Business Out of the Box (BoB)

We assist low-income aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs to get their ideas off the ground in their communities. With creativity and meaningful partnerships, there are ways to create quick and affordable vending spaces, which ultimately support low-income entrepreneurs, and our local economies, to flourish. There are no times related to this program. Interested parties should contact us about starting their own.

Primary Care

A physician affiliated with St. Michael’s Hospital is available part-time to provide culturally sensitive primary care to community members. Patients from all cultures are welcome, however those that are not able to communicate in English, Cantonese or Mandarin should come with an interpreter/ translator.

Partners For Access and Identification (PAID) Project

Supports for individuals who do not have a fixed/permanent address. Services include help obtaining vital pieces of identification including: Ontario photo health card, Canadian birth certificate, record of landing, etc. Referrals, including to community-based support services, are provided.