VANCOUVER, BC – March 6, 2026: In the spirit of Ramadan, the Dawoodi Bohra community of Vancouver welcomed civic, diplomatic, and community leaders to their community centre for an Iftar dinner marking the breaking of the daily fast. The evening brought together a diverse group of guests to share in the traditions of Ramadan and celebrate the multicultural mosaic of British Columbia.
Distinguished attendees included the Honourable Brenda Locke, Mayor of Surrey; Mr. Masakui Rungsung, Consul General of India; Ms. Rona Tepper of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Ms. Geetanjli Sharma, Chief Editor of The Times of Canada; Surrey City Councillors and Indian Consul members.
The evening served as a platform for camaraderie and cultural exchange. Speaking to the gathering, Mayor Brenda Locke reflected on the role of faith communities strengthening society:
“We learned a great deal about you and your faith and how important that faith is to you. It’s important to me too, myself being Christian and you all Dawoodi Bohra Muslims. One of the things I’ve observed from that is that faith is not a competition. Faith is crucial to who we are, not only as people in Surrey but as Canadians, because we are a mosaic of people of all kinds of faith, and it will be the faith communities that will make a difference in the world. And I see all the good work that you are already doing in the City of Surrey and other places.”
Guests were also introduced to the Dawoodi Bohra community’s distinctive culinary traditions. The meal followed centuries-old customs designed to foster equality and minimize waste, beginning with the traditional sharing of a pinch of salt. Attendees dined together around a thaal, a large circular metal plate, sharing a meal that blended traditional and contemporary flavors.
Reflecting on his second visit to the community, Consul General of India Mr. Masakui Rungsung noted:
“In this month of Ramadan, the holy month, it’s a time to reflect on ourselves, to renew spiritually, and it cannot be a better time for me to be here. I honour and respect the Dawoodi Bohra community. For them, being religious is not contradictory to being progressive. In India, we practice the doctrines of peace, harmony, and humanity, and the Dawoodi Bohra community is continuing that message in this home away from home.”
Mohammed Dhanaliwala, President of the Vancouver Dawoodi Bohra community, emphasized the spirit of the evening:
“Tonight is about building bridges and living in harmony with all cultures and faiths, while remaining loyal and proud citizens of Canada.”
The sense of connection was echoed by Royal Canadian Mounted Police official Rona Tepper, who shared:
“I’ve been to many galas, but I enjoyed this gathering so much because of how meaningful it was. Connecting with members of our Vancouver community in such an intimate setting is something to truly appreciate.”
Background:
The ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar is Ramadan. It is also the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed. Its hallmark is the fast, which begins shortly before dawn and ends at sunset and can vary across the globe from being akin to missing lunch, to stretching to 20 hours in the northern hemisphere summer. Community members make it a point to gather in their local masjids and community centers for prayers in the early morning just before sunrise, in the afternoon, and immediately after sunset when they break the fast.
Ramadan’s spirituality inspires the Dawoodi Bohra community to actively participate in a host of social initiatives during the Holy month. Food drives and food rescue partnerships aimed at feeding the less fortunate, upliftment campaigns striving to provide community members with a better future, cleanliness drives that positively impact the health of the environment, all signal and enhance the heightened sense of self and spirituality.
About The Dawoodi Bohras of Vancouver:
The Dawoodi Bohras of Vancouver have lived and worked peacefully in and around BC for decades. The local community has contributed to community cleanups, park cleanups and tree planting activities. They also actively encourage young girls of their community to pursue careers in Science and Technology. These initiatives are part of the community’s global Project Rise to alleviate food insecurity, provide access to education, promote health and hygiene among children and families, and preserve and protect the environment.
