Sunday, August 7, 2011

Over 20 families gather for AMFA's first ever Ramadan Iftar!

On the first Saturday of Ramadan over 20 families from across the northwest suburbs of Chicago gathered for Iftar in South Barrington, Illinois.  Including children (ranging from babies to teenagers), there were over 100 people at the event.



The Iftar was an American Muslim Family Association event and was graciously hosted and sponsored by Drs. Mohammed & Shazia Khan of South Barrington, Illinois.  The dinner was catered by Faizan Grill in Hanover Park, Illinois.

Guests started arriving at 7pm.  With arrangements made inside and in the backyard the Khan residence was quickly filled up.  At 7:45pm Dr. Fiaz Ahmed gave a presentation on Ramadan and fasting and shortly thereafter the adhan for Maghrib prayer was called and everyone broke the day's fast with dates and juice.

The Maghrib prayer was held in the backyard.  After the prayer everyone returned inside for dinner.  In addition to the Faizan Grill catered meal, there was also pizza for the children and an assortment of cakes and other treats brought by several guests.

During the Iftar party several announcements were made about social service project opportunities during the month of Ramadan.  One of the AMFA organizers announced the 8/12 Intra-Community Iftar sponsored by the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) and hosted by the Light of Islam Masjid in Harvey, Illinois.  AMFA members were encouraged to come out to this potluck Iftar that brings together the diverse American Muslim community from the Chicagoland area.

Additional volunteer opportunity announcements included Iftar sponsorships for the Innercity Muslim Action Network and a refugee assistance project at UMMA Center.  For more information about these opportunities please contact AMFA organizer Junaid Afeef via email (junaid.afeef[at]gmail.com).