CHICAGO: Thousands of Muslims all over North America celebrated Eid Ul Fitr on Thursday, August 8 after a belated moon sighting announcement was made on Wednesday evening. Illinois and Chicago Muslims thronged local mosques or Islamic centers for the Eid Ul Fitr prayers with families. Most mosques scheduled Eid prayers at early hours.
In Chicago over 10,000 Muslims gathered at Holiday Inn Skokie for Eid prayers. Many Muslims joined prayers at Jama Masjid on Devon, Muslim Community Center on Morton Grove, and Takaful Islamic Center (ICC) on Lincoln Avenue also.
The largest crowd in Chicago was seen at Holiday Inn Skokie, where Muslims were delighted to meet Chicago’s newly assigned Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed, who was accompanied by Chicago’s well known community leader and FIA trustee Iftekhar Shareef and Eid Committee Chairman Amjad Hashmi.
The Indian Consul General joined the Eid prayers along with other prominent Chicago Muslims community leaders. Soon after prayers, many Chicago Muslim community members were seen greeting the Indian Consul General and Iftekhar Shareef. Eid greetings were also exchanged by others. Eid Ul Fitr prayers begin the day long Eid celebrations for Muslims. The Eid Namaz offered in special congregation ends the Ramadan month of fasting.
It is a thanks giving by Muslims to God Almighty for enabling them to complete the 30 days of fasting. Beginning with Eid Namaz (prayer), Eid is celebrated till late night hours. Soon after Namaz, families visit each other and enjoy the Eid sweets known as Sheer Khurma and Sewaiyyan (noodles in milk). Biryani is the afternoon recipe for Eid day.
The Eid day is considered as a feast of God. Everything cooked and enjoyed on Eid day is considered as the feast of God for completion of month long fasting. Prophet Muhammad advised Muslims to take their families and children to Eid prayers, enjoy the day as a special day, distribute Zakah (alms to poor) and greet each other. Many Muslim businesses were closed in North America for Eid celebrations.
AQ Siddiqui
India Post News Service
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