Mosque Foundation Hosts 18th Annual Ramadan Interfaith Iftar
On Tuesday, May 21, 2019, the Mosque Foundation held its 18th annual Ramadan Iftar. Over 200 community members attended the event, including members of our interfaith alliances from the Christian, Catholic, Jewish, and Sikh faiths, local government officials, civic leaders, and representatives from various educational districts. It is our honor at the Mosque Foundation to host such a distinct event to help foster fellowship and enhance understanding and acceptance of one another.
Mosque Foundation president, Oussama Jammal delivered the welcoming remarks. Our guest speaker, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle spoke in support of inclusive communities and even quoted from the Quran, “Said Jesus, the son of Mary, “O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers” (5:114).
Imam Ahmed Arafat addressed the Ramadan theme of using fasting as a means to develop self-control and train ourselves not to serve our desires.
Our 2019 Community Service Award recipient, Dr. Eileen McCaffery, principal at Dorn Elementary School, was presented with the award for her tireless work as an effective educator and exemplary leader. Dr. McCaffery’s work, especially with the Yemeni refugee community is worthy of special recognition as she has welcomed those students and their families into her school with open arms.
After Maghreb prayer, attendees were treated to a delicious iftar dinner from al-Bawadi Restaurant.
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