Interfaith Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated in Chicago

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Chicago IL: Members of several faiths came together to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr at Falak Restaurant & Banquets in Lombard, Illinois, over the Mother’s Day weekend.

The event was attended by a large number of public officials at the City and State levels.

Iftekhar Shareef, Altaf Bukhari, Rezwan-ul-Haq, Dr. Tajamul Hussain, Asad Khan, Khaja Moinuddin, Ashfaq Hussain Syed, Kader Sakkaria and Khurram Syed hosted the colorful Eid event, according to a press release from Asian Media USA.

Speaking on this occasion, Shareef said America is unique and exceptional in its equal respect for all religions and that understanding different religions and respecting them has been the hallmark of American culture.

Dr. Hussain said all religions teach love and empathy and we have to build bridges and spread love. He opined that practicing these values is the need of the hour for giving a big boost to mutual co- existence, especially in the present times, which are characterized by increasing distances among people professing different faiths. “My hometown is Hyderabad in India, which is known for “Ganga Jamuni Tahzeeb’, that is, a fusion of elements of different religions”, he added.

Khan said Chicago is well-known for exceptionally good relations among people belonging to different religions, regions, and nations. “This unique characteristic has mainly contributed for (sic) the emergence of Chicago as the best place to live.

Rezwan-ul-Haq said all human beings belong to one race and, therefore, love is the single language, which even the blind can speak and deaf can hear. Eid ul Fitr celebrates the value of unity, he added.

Moinuddin emphasized the beauty of the U.S. in general and Chicago in particular which is grounded in principles of diversity and acceptance of fellow Americans.

Ashfaq Syed underlined the importance of building better understanding among people belonging to different backgrounds and thereby contributing to the continuous development of the US on all fronts.

Sakkaria noted that India believes in the traditional values of giving utmost respect for the religions of others. “The Indian Americans, by practicing this great value, have been enriching the social fabric of the U.S.”, he added.

Bukhari, who was dressed in the unique Indian attire said it is important to have interfaith events for all communities.

Khurram Syed welcomed the guests for joining the Muslim  celebration during a busy Mother’s Day weekend, when many have family commitments and plans.

The Chicago Eid Committee presented awards to the community leaders for their excellent service. Dr. Suresh Reddy, Dr Rajiv Kandala, Rezwan-ul-Haque, Saima Azfar, Shalini Gupta and Rajendra Singh Mago were recognized.

A book by A.Q. Siddiqui was released by the Chicago Eid Committee and the author signed the copies for the community.

Samreen Khan and Sariq Bukhari were the emcees at the event  and thanked all the guests who attended the Eid celebration. There was also a live band and singers who added to the enjoyment.