Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot joined Ramadan dinner with Muslim Community

Peoples from All parts of life gathered at the Muslim Community Center, on Tuesday, April 19th, 2022, for an interfaith Iftar dinner. The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) and Muslim Community Center (MCC) Jointly Hosted an Iftar Dinner. The MCC Chicago Banquet Hall was filled with nearly 250 guests and practicing Muslims from the Chicago area community. Many interfaith guests were attended to learn more about the Muslim tradition of Ramadan and Iftar, others were seeking to form new relationships with people of a different faith. The annual Dinner shines a spotlight on Islamic Month of Ramadan. Dinner offers an opportunity to present a positive image of Muslim and Islamic culture and society among the wider American public.

The program was emceed by Habeeb Quadri. He welcomes all guests to the Muslim Community Center to breakfast with Muslim. He also highlighted about Holy Ramadan is the most important month on the Muslim calendar.

The ceremony started with a recreation of the holy Quran by Imam Ikhlas Ansari and translation by Amina Williams currently she is as a Youth Director at MCC Chicago. The Opening Remarks were conducted by Dr. Abdullah Mitchell, Executive Director of Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) He Highlighted about the History and Aim of CIOGC in the past 30 years.

Officially welcoming remarks made by MCC President Masood Bijapuri. He explained about MCC history and an active role in the guidance of the Muslim community in Chicago area in the past 53 years. Muslim Community Center is one of the oldest and considered as a mother organization of many other American Muslim groups and mosques' one of the premier centers of excellence in community service, outreach, and education for Muslims in the greater Chicago land area.

The Goal and Highlights of CIOGC programs were made by Chairman of CIOGC Irshad Khan. He describes all the achievements and programs throughout the year and during the pandemic. CIOGC plays a key role in the Chicago community engagement. During Pandemic CIOCG Played Key roles to the risk’s communities face and helps all the communities in Chicagoland. The Council ensures public safety during Pandemic. CIOGC serves as the Lead Coordinating Organization to implement the Chicago COVID-19 Community Response.

MCC Vice President Dr. Saba Khan explains MCC upcoming Programs throughout the years.

Chief Guest Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot thanked all those in attendance for participating in this event to strengthen peace and harmony, tolerance and respect and equality among all sections of civil society. A variety of Iftar and dinner arrangements were made to the delight of the participants. She also said, Ramadan is all about self-discipline, and shows you what people less fortunate are going through daily. Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot stayed for the entire event, including during the prayers before the buffet foods were served.

There were representatives of public organizations, members of several city and state officials, as well as people of all faiths. Notable participants included Dr. Zaher Sahloul, Arjumand Khan, Mazar Khan, Dr. Kaisar Uddin, Dr. M. Sarwar Nasir, Akhter Sadiq, Kamran Hussain, and many others.

At the end, prayer was performed by Sheikh Hassan Mostafa Aly (Imam and Director of Religious affairs at The Mecca Center) before the breaking of fast concluded the ceremony. Dinner was served at the event. The program was very well organized, prestigious, and enjoyed by the attendees and will be remembered for a long time.