Canadian MP fasts for Ramadan raising money for charity

The world's 1.5 billion Muslims began observing the holy month of Ramadan last Saturday, along with one unexpected addition in Canada.

Canadian lawmaker Mark Holland has announced that he will be fasting this year - for the third time in a row - to raise money for a charity that fights against hunger.

During Ramadan, Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and having sex from dawn to dusk.

"There are so many in our community and of course across the world for who hunger is not a one day condition," the lawmaker representing Ajax, Ontario told The New Arab.

"When we think of a child having to go to school hungry or someone trying to make it through a day of work without food in their stomach - this is something that Ramadan allows us to connect with," the Hollande said.

He added that the Islamic holy month allowed people to gain an understanding of the suffering of others who are less fortunate.

Holland will be raising money for Give 30, a grassroots movement for Muslims and non-Muslims alike that fights hunger by donating to food banks in the US and Canada during Ramadan.

Last year, he made a speech in front of parliament announcing his good will gesture.

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam during which Muslims are supposed to devote themselves to praying and giving to charity in addition to fasting.

The month is sacred to Muslims because tradition says it marks the period when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.