America
More than 8000 join Eid celebrations in Naperville, Illinois
By
Suresh Bodiwala/Asian Media USA
Naperville, IL: On
Friday July 17th, 2015 Muslims from all over the Naperville and suburb areas joyfully bustled
into the Ashyana Banquets to join the 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) in three
spells, at 8:30 am, at 10:00 am, and at 11:30 am. The Imam
for the first session of the Eid prayers was Dr. Omar Hedroug, for second
session, Mr. Rizwan Ali, and for the Third session, Dr. Wali Khan.
Over 8000 Muslims, including Dr. Ausaf Sayeed,
Consul General of India, with family, Mr. Aadil Farid, President, ICN, Mr.
Ashfaq Hussain Syed, a committed social activist, Mr. Sami Siddiqi, Mr.Shoaib
Khadri, Mr Zahyr Siddiqi, Dr Aqeel
Mohiuddin, Dr Adil Ahmed Mohiuddin, Dr Kaleem Khan, Dr Muzafar, Mr Masood
Quadri and prominent Businessmen, Professionals, and Community Leaders, 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 theAshyana
Banquets. Volunteers of the Eid Committee of the ICN open-heartedly welcomed
the incoming persons so as to ensure that every one of them was able to partake
in the Eid prayers, without any inconvenience. Despite the large numbers, the
volunteers of the ICN, the Glenbard Security Inc, and the staff of the Ashyana
Banquets were able to direct the crowds effortlessly and efficiently.
Imam and Residential Scholar of the ICN, Mufti Rizwan Ali, delivered
an inspiring 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 characterized by widespread immorality,
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. “This is, therefore, an occasion to rejoice and celebrate as
Allah SWT has enabled us to be on the right path as shown by Him in the Holy
Qur’an, despite multifarious distractionsâ€, he added.
Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, the Consul General of India, while
extending his warmest wishes to Muslims in the United States and around the world
on the occasion of the Eid-Ul-Fitr, 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 religionâ€, opined Dr. Ausaf Sayeed. He urged that the values learnt
during the month of Ramadan should by diligently practiced throughout the year. “Ramadan
is simply about loving one another, offering friendship to fellow beings, and
living in peace and harmonyâ€, he added.
Mr. Aadil Farid, President, ICN, stated that the month
of Ramadan is considered a blessed month in which the Holy Quran was revealed.
He stated 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, and seeking mercy
of Allah SWT and praying for the same to others. “The ICN community, which
comprises over 3500 families, representing India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt,
Jordan, Somalia, Iraq, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and various other countries, addresses
the needs of Muslims as well as those who belong to other religions. ICN works
very closely with people of other faiths to serve humanity, and encourages its
members to follow the principles of Tolerance, Justice, Peace and Progressâ€,
added Mr. Aadil Farid.
“The sacred month of Ramadan is a time of sacrifice and reflection. Ramadan offers an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to peace and justice through the power of faith. Ramadan reminds us that our common bonds far outweigh our differences. I wish everyone a blessed and meaningful Eid-ul-Fitr. I extend my warmest wishes to the Muslim community of Illinois on this occasionâ€, said Mr. Ashfaq Hussain Syed, a committed social activist.