ISSUE 111 | MAR 2025

March is here with our 111th edition of the MBE Business Magazine.

As we enter the last month of winter, February did not go quietly. In southern Ontario over a 5 day span, we saw the worst of what winter had to offer. 60 cms of snow fell over the above mentioned 5 day period which was more snow than what we experienced for the whole winter season of 2023/2024. Schools were closed for a day and people took days to dig out from the huge accumulation of snow. Let’s hope the worst of winter is over and with warmer March temperatures, the snow is sure to melt. Spring starts March 20th!

Some important days for the month of March are as follows: March 1st is the start of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Many Muslims in Canada fast during the daylight hours in the month of Ramadan. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is a time of self-examination and increased religious devotion. The fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar after sunset.

March 5th is Ash Wednesday. Many Christians in Canada mark Ash Wednesday as the first day of Lent. It is the beginning of the Lenten fast and is the day after Shrove Tuesday. It is a time when people who seek penitence for their wrongdoings are marked with the sign of the cross, from blessed ashes, on their forehead. This symbolic occasion reminds people of their mortality and sorrow for sins, as well as the will for change and the hope of forgiveness.

Sunday March 9th at 2:00 am, is the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. Clocks are turned forward allowing for longer days of sunlight.

March 14th is the Jewish holiday of Purim. Purim is a happy holiday in the Jewish calendar and is associated with costumes, hilarity, food, and fun.

March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day. Although a provincial holiday in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, some cities, notably Toronto and Montreal, hold large scale St Patrick's Day parades on the Sunday closest to March 17. University students across Canada have been known to ‘paint the town Green’ to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day.

March 20th is the first day of spring when the Sun crosses the equator from south to north.

March 31st many Muslims in Canada celebrate Eid al-Fitr on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar. It marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan and the start of a feast that lasts up to three days in some countries. This event involves many Muslims waking up early and praying either at an outdoor prayer ground or a mosque. People dress in their finest clothes and adorn their homes with lights and other decorations.

In this issue, you will find contributing articles from many different personalities including the MBE team of - Mr. Mansoor Naqvi, Minhal Naqvi and Mr. Alamdar Hussain.

You will find this issue just as interesting and informative as before. Our team has worked tirelessly to bring this issue to you on our digital and social media platforms. We have also launched our magazine website as well enabling us to reach the maximum number of people via electronic media.