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Islamic Foundation Iftar Celebration

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On Saturday, October 29, 2005, a group from Aurora University’s Values Council attended an Iftar meal at the Islamic Foundation in Villa Park. Iftar is the breaking of the daily fast during the month of Ramadan. It is commonly a time to be spent with friends and family, giving thanks for the blessings of God. Mazhar Azeem, a Center for Faith and Action acquaintance at the Fox Valley Muslim Community, invited members of the Values Council to the Iftar celebration, which was organized by the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago. In attendance were Wackerlin Fellow André Meeks and Values Council members Allie Githens, Erin Kwiatkowski, Charlie O’Malley and Tim Brauhn. Several students from nearby Willowbrook High School, as well as members of the Villa Park community, including the village president, were also present.

The evening began with a reading from the Qur’an by one of the Islamic Foundation’s students, followed by a brief introduction to some basic beliefs and practices of Islam by Sheikh Abdool Rahman. A question and answer session followed this lecture, and then all attendees were invited into the mosque for evening prayers, a very insightful and rewarding experience. Following the prayer, everyone returned for a very, very good meal of traditional Iftar dishes and engaging and enlightening conversations. At our table we were joined by three Muslim students, two from the school furnished by the Foundation and one from Willowbrook High.

Prior to the high school students joining us, we were discussing what we wanted to do with our lives after graduation. This later proved ironic because the students were surprised that, as upper classmen (and one graduate), we were asking ourselves the same questions now that they are as they prepare for college. Our discussion with the students ranged from college majors (arts or science), to parenting (spanking or not), to which is the better state (Illinois or Michigan). The whole evening was a celebration of friendship and common bonds between faiths and cultures. After a few parting gifts of books, informational pamphlets and boxes of dates, a traditional fast-breaking snack, we departed with full stomachs and even fuller hearts.

Reflections from the evening:

“The only representations of Islam are what I see in the media. It was nice to step inside the television and experience the truth, spin-free.” 
– Charlie O’Malley

“I found it to be an eye-opening experience. We were invited to be part of a culture so different from our own. The food was great, and the people at Islamic Foundation were very generous.” 
– Allie Githens

“Witnessing the women and children in prayer in the mosque was a very touching experience. We were so graciously welcomed into such a deeply personal place. They were all genuinely interested in sharing their customs and traditions with us.”
– Erin Kwiatkowski

The Values Council is indebted to both Mazhar Azeem and the Islamic Foundation for allowing us the opportunity to celebrate with them.