CHICAGO: Over 8000 devout Muslims from all over the Naperville and Chicago suburb areas flocked to Ashyana Banquets on Friday July 17 to participate in celebrations of Eid Ul-Fitr.
While there were various venues that held Eid prayers throughout the region, the largest turnouts were at the Ashyana Banquets where arrangements for Eid prayers were made by the Islamic Center of Naperville (ICN).
Over 8000 devout Muslims, including Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General of India, with family attended the Eid prayers .Women in vibrant colored dresses, men in ethnic outfits and children, smiling and laughing, filled the parking lots and poured into the Ashyana Banquets
Imam and Residential Scholar of the ICN, Mufti Rizwan Ali, delivered a talk on the good deeds performed by the Muslims during the month of Ramadan and the generous rewards promised by Allah SWT to them. He stated that in the present day world, which is beset by widespread immorality, including the practice of giving and taking of interest, intake of intoxicants etc., the Muslims, across the globe, engaged themselves in fasting, praying, and the reading of Qur’an.
Dr Ausaf Sayeed, the Consul General of India, while extending his warmest wishes to Muslims in the United States and around the world, stated that while Eid marks the completion of Ramadan, it is an occasion to celebrate the common values that reinforce the obligations that people of all faiths have towards each other. “Ramadan is not only a special occasion for fasting and praying but also a month-long rigorous training program for inculcating the values of discipline, patience, caring for the poor, and respect for the fellow beings, irrespective of caste, creed, and religion”, he said.
Aadil Farid, President, ICN, said that the month of Ramadan is an occasion for spiritual uplifting, softening the heart and humbling oneself, sharing and caring, seeking forgiveness from Allah SWT, extending forgiveness to others. “The ICN community comprises over 3500 families representing India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Somalia, Iraq, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and various other countries, he added.
Suresh Bodiwala
