Residents of Naperville and Suburbs of All Faiths Celebrate Eid

Steve Chirico, Mayor of Naperville, and his wife Julie, who were dressed in the unique Indian attire, were the cynosure of all eyes

The residents of Naperville and the neighboring suburbs, belonging to various faith traditions, came together to celebrate Eid al Adha, with great enthusiasm and reverence, at Pita Inn, Naperville. The event was attended by a large number of dignitaries, representing public offices at the City, State, and National Levels. Mr. Ashfaq Syed and Ms. Ayesha Osman hosted the colorful event.

Speaking on this occasion, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois’s 8th district said, with a sense of pride, that America is unique and exceptional in its equal respect for all religions. He said that understanding different religions and respecting them has been the hallmark of the American culture.

Mr. Sudhakar Dalela, Consul General of India, Chicago said that peace, compassion, and value of brotherhood are the universal values celebrated by all religions across the globe. 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 home town is Lucknow in India, which is known for “Ganga Jamuna Tahzeeb’, that is, a fusion of elements of different religions”, he added.

Steve Chirico, Mayor of Naperville said that Naperville is well-known for exceptionally good relations among people belonging to different religions, regions, and nations. “This unique characteristic has mainly contributed for the emergence of Naperville as the best place to live and to do business in the entire US Midwest. Steve Chirico and his wife Julie, who were dressed in the unique Indian attire, were the cynosure of all eyes.

Mr Gopal Lalmalani, Mayor of Oak Brook said that all human beings belong to one race and, therefore, love is the single language, which even blind can speak and deaf can hear. He stated that Eid ul Adha celebrates the value of sacrifice.

Mr. Shoaib Khadri, President of the Islamic Center of Naperville, explained the connection and similarities across different Abrahamic faiths – Jews, Christians, and Muslims. He provided insight into the Haj, highlighting a lesson from Malcom X’s memoirs that reflects on the commonness of humankind without any race barriers. He 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.

Mr. Krishna Bansal, Chairman, Indian Community Outreach said 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 US”, he added.

An array of eminent persons from different walks of life, including Julie Chirico, Evelyn Sanguinetti, Former Lieutenant Governor, Mayor Gopal Lalmalani, Oakbrook, State Senator Laura Ellman, State Senator Cristina Castro, State Representative Anee Stava-Murray, Robert Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney, David Anderson, Chief of Police, Village of Lisle, Sheila Rutledge, Du Page county board member,· Judge Linda Davenport, Joe Davenport, Sadia Covert, DuPage county board member, Daniel Hebread, President, Forest Preserves, District Of DuPage county, Dr Mimi Cowan, Will County board Member. Judge McCluskey,· Sophia Luo, Sister City Commissioner, Naperville, Andres Susarret, Asif Yusuf, Village trustee, Oak Brook, Shekhar Mishra, Pravasi Bhartiya Samman award, Tanuja Mishra, Raees Yawer, Board Commissioner, Krishna Bansal & Meghna Bansal, Nariman Safavi, NPR & WBEZ Chicago, Shoaib Khadri, Mir Khan, and many community leaders spoke on the occasion and underlined the need for more and more such occasions for enabling people, belonging to different backgrounds, to interact and understand others’ faiths in their true and total frame of reference.

Mr. Ashfaq Hussain Syed and Ayesha Osman welcomed the guests for joining the Eid al Adha celebrations during a busy Labor Day weekend, when many have family commitments and plans. Mr. Ashfaq emphasized the beauty of the US in general and Naperville in particular which is grounded in principles of diversity and acceptance of fellow Americans. He also highlighted the significance of understanding the Islamic Holiday of Eid ul Adha as well as many other faiths and festivals celebrated in the US, which is a reflection of the evolving America. Amaan Syed, student of Scullen Middle School thanked all the guest who attended the Eid celebration.

The lively anchoring of the warm and beautiful event by Miss Juveria Syeda, a Junior at Neuqua VHS, was appreciated by one and all and was an icing on the cake.