INUVIK - A group of about eight men are seated, legs crossed, on the floor of the town mosque on Friday evening.

The conversation is friendly and energetic while a bounty of mostly spicy delicious food sits in front of them.

Abdelazim Ahmed, left, and Amar Elshekh help themselves during the communal meal to celebrate Ramadan. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photos

Suddenly Hamid Osman and Mohammed Hamid arrive with more food to add to the communal feast.

They have all fasted from dusk to dawn and everyone is eager to eat. But first they must pray. Led by Ahmad Alkhalaf, they line up in two rows and begin the worship to their God, Allah.

They are celebrating Ramadan, a 30-day event which is one of the most important pillars of the Muslim faith because it's the month the Qur'an, the faith's central religious text, was revealed to provide guidance for its followers.

During Ramadan many Muslims in Inuvik pray at the mosque, located at Balsam trailer court, up to five times a day. They're required to abstain from everything from food to smoking for 17 hours so they can devote most of their energy and time to Allah. After they worship, they enjoy a meal together.

Abdalla Mohamed was one of the faithful in attendance and has lived in Inuvik since 1992. The point of fasting, he said, is to redirect energies away from one's physical appetite toward the spiritual appetite, placing focus on their faith.

"You stop the physical need and try to grow a spiritual need," he said. "Our whole life revolves around prayer. It's about our spiritual destiny. I don't separate my daily life from my spiritual life. It goes hand in hand.

"But during Ramadan you have to do good deeds as well, you have to abstain ... things like that which honour Allah."

For Alkhalaf the strict schedule of prayer, fasting and other forms of obedience help strengthen his will and faith and to be more disciplined.

"It gives me hope and faith too, and a strong will," said Alkhalaf. "It strengthens my patience and lowers my temptation for food and other things in life."

The father of three and public works and services employee spent four days in Sachs Harbour fasting alone, without the companionship of his Muslim friends. His faith guides his life and the mosque and his fellow followers of the faith offer much support, especially during the more challenging moments in Inuvik.

"When there's no sun and it's very cold we come here together," he said. "It provides a lot of comfort and it helps us get through the more difficult times."

Amier Suliman participated in Friday's Ramadan ritual and he couldn't agree more with Alkhalaf's sentiments.

"To share with these people makes me feel very good after a long day of fasting," said Suliman. "We're here to share the spirit together."