Lailatul Barat Starts

Lailatul Barat, also known as Shab-e-Baraat in Persian and Night of Innocence in English, is a significant observance for Muslims around the world. The observance marks a night when Muslims believe the fortunes of individuals for the coming year are decided and all sins are forgiven by Allah, if the faithful pray, repent, and fast. Muslims also take this time to remember deceased relatives and friends, often visiting the gravesites to pray for the departed souls.

The tradition of Lailatul Barat can be traced back to early Islam, although its precise origin is unclear. However, it is widely accepted that the word "Barat" means “innocence” in Arabic. For the Muslim community in Canada, this observance has deeper meaning as it promotes values of forgiveness, introspection, and reformation. This observance is seen as an opportunity for individuals to reaffirm their commitment to their faith and its tenets of peace, love, and charity, which aligns well with Canada's multicultural fabric and value for diversity.

In the multi-ethnic context of Canada, Lailatul Barat is observed in various ways. Most Canadian Muslims spend this auspicious night in prayer and contemplation, reading the Quran and asking for Allah's mercy through repentance. Mosques across the country host night-long prayer meetings and religious discourses. Families often exchange homemade sweets, a gesture that symbolizes the sweetening of life and relationships. Specific to Canada, this observance typically occurs in the month of Sha'aban, the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, whose date varies each year due to the lunar calendar. This observance of the night, which signifies both remembrance and forgiveness, is significant for Canadian Muslims as they join their global counterparts in seeking divine blessings.