SKOKIE: A large number of Muslims from all over the metropolitan area joyfully bustled into the Holiday Inn in Skokie, a north side Chicago suburb, to be part of a global celebrations of Eid Ul-Fitr.
While there were various venues that held Eid prayers throughout the region, one of the largest turnouts was at the Holiday Inn. The block was quite a sight to passersby. Groups of individuals in vibrant Indian-Pakistani clothing flooded the parking lots as they made their way to the exquisite banquet hall to commemorate the glorious day.
Demonstrating true Islamic generosity, many emptied their pockets and purses into the collecting bins before taking their shoes off and heading into the prayer halls. Everyone was able to partake in the namaz.
Namaz was recited throughout the morning and afternoon to accommodate the 9,000 enthusiastic individuals in attendance. After the namaz, Hussain Kamani gave the khutbah (preaching on Islam) to the congregation about the blessed month of Ramadan and the significance of Eid.
Governor Pat Quinn joined the Muslim community at the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer service in Bridgeview. Iftekhar Shareef FIA Trustee in a release to the media said that Governor Quinn signed a religious tolerance bill Saturday Aug. 19, the day of Eid in Illinois. This bill will help all the religions equal rights to practice in what they believe in. It will also save all of us from hate crimes mushrooming fast.
“We commend the strong position Governor Quinn has taken in signing the bill. We do not want to see more of Sikh Gurudwaras, Hindu temples, churches or any Muslim mosques being ransacked by domestic and or international terrorism,” Shareef said
During the occasion, the Governor denounced recent incidents of violence against Muslim places of worship and signed a new law to foster religious tolerance.
The new law, sponsored by Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) and Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Arlington Heights), passed both chambers unanimously with the support of the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities (FIICU). The law is effective Jan 1, 2013.
Ramadan is observed during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is considered the holiest month of the year in the Islamic faith.
Asian Media USA
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