At Covenant House Vancouver, we know that faith and cultural traditions are essential to a young person’s sense of identity, healing, and belonging. The ability to observe their religious practices in a supportive space can provide comfort and connection.
This year, 27 youth in our programs are observing Ramadan, and we are ensuring they have the support they need. Our team is helping in meaningful ways, including:
Early wake-ups for suhur — Suhur (or suhoor) is the pre-dawn meal eaten before fasting begins, at sunrise. It provides essential nourishment and energy for the day ahead. We ensure that youth have access to early meals to support their fasting.
Saved lunches and dinners for iftar — Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast at sunset. Our team ensures that youth who are fasting have meals set aside for when they are ready to eat.
Access to religious items — Qur’ans, prayer rugs, and tasbeeh (prayer beads) are available to support youth in their spiritual practice.
We are especially grateful to the Rahma Foundation for their generous donation of turbahs/muhrs (Shi’a prayer stones) and tasbeeh for our Shi’a Muslim youth. These items can be difficult to source, and the Foundation’s generosity allows us to better serve the diverse needs of the young people who access our services.
Weekly iftar meals — These are open to all youth from Muslim backgrounds, whether they are fasting or not, to foster a sense of community and belonging.
Ramadan is a time of reflection, faith, and community, and our staff have gone the extra mile to ensure that youth feel seen and supported. At last week’s iftar, two youth shared how nervous they were about observing Ramadan when they first arrived at Covenant House Vancouver — only to be met with warmth, understanding, and resources that allowed them to celebrate in a meaningful way.
Creating an inclusive, faith-affirming space for youth is at the heart of what we do. Every young person deserves to feel at home, especially during moments of cultural and spiritual significance.