Assalamu-alaikum,

Our Hajj exhibit is now being displayed in the children's section at Aurora Public Library. The exhibit display started on November 1st, 2009 and will continue till November 30th, 2009. Please go and visit.

Here's a youtube video of our exhibit:

Pictures of the exhibit are in our gallery: http://mswschicago.org/gallery/v/hajj_library_2009/

On September 12'th 2009, Muslim families from Aurora & Naperville hosted the Third Annual Ramadan Dinner for all faiths. Approximately 200 people attended this event. This Ramadan Dinner has quickly gained popularity in the surrounding community. It initially launched as a spontaneous initiative by only handful of families and has now tripled its popularity not only for hosts but also for the guests.

The distinguished guests at the Ramadan Dinner included:-
* Linda Chapa Lavia, Illinois State Representative,
* Chuck Nelson, Aurora,IL Mayor’s Chief of Staff
* Stephanie Kifowit, Alderman Aurora, IL
* Sunil Chand, Director Benedictine University Doctoral Program, IL
Other guest varied from teachers, principals, doctors, corporations, friends, City officials, attorneys, health care to news media.

During Ramadan, the fast from sunrise to sunset is meant to help the faithful redirect their hearts from worldly matter. It cleanses the soul, exercises self discipline and generates empathy for those less fortunate.

President Obama, in a Ramadan message released recently, stated,“Fasting is a concept shared by many faiths – including my own Christian faith – as a way to bring people closer to God, and to those among us who cannot take their next meal for granted. And the support that Muslims provide to others recalls our responsibility to advance opportunity and prosperity for people everywhere”.

Ramadan Dinner at the White Eagle Club House in Naperville began with a short educational speech by Abdel Rahman Murphy, student at University of Illinois. His enlightening speech easily broke the barriers which allowed guests to ask several questions.

The guest along with the host, at the time of dusk, broke the fast by snacking on dates which is a tradition set by Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) and observed by Muslims all around the world. The guests then observed the Muslim prayer offered at sunset. Dinner included a traditional Mediterranean menu.

Overall the response was overwhelming and allowed Muslim families to show their hospitality and created a medium to help educate people of other faiths and clear common misconceptions about Muslims and Islam.

The event was well received by the media too. Articles on the event were published in local newspapers:

The Beacon-News - Aurora, IL
* http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/lifestyles/1776686,2_5_AU1...

Naperville Sun - Naperville, IL
* http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/lifestyles/1780370,6_5_...

Urdu Times Chicago - Thursday Sept 24, 2009 Pg 14
* http://www.urdutimesusa.com/chicago/index.php?f=p14&slpage=p14

Chicago Tribune - Online
* http://www.triblocal.com/Aurora/view.php?sub_id=98547&action=detail&type...

Pictures from the event are available in our Gallery. Please click here to view them.

Assalamu Alaikum,

ICNA Relief is running a Food Drive. Here's an email from them. Please support....

Feed the Hungry Food Drive 09

Muslims are encouraged to invite and share the great value of their beliefs with others and to fulfill the rights of their neighbors, colleagues and friends throughout their life. Prophet Muhammad (s) mentioned the rights of neighbors upon a Muslim in this eloquent narration:

The rights of the neighbor is that, when he is sick you visit him; when he dies, you go to his funeral; when he is poor you lend him (money); and when he is in need you protect him.

It is this reason why the volunteers of ICNA Chicago devote their time and energy to fulfill their obligation and serve the community at large. ICNA Relief is starting the annual "Feed the Hungry" Food Drive designed to address the basic human needs of the under served Muslim communities within the Chicago land area. It is our desire to fight against human sufferings, by assisting our neighbors in achieving basic needs that all human beings are entitled to

Volunteers from ICNA Relief have setup collection bins for this project throughout various Islamic Centers and Islamic Schools around the Chicago land area. These collection bins will be available for food collection from Friday May 15, 2009 to Sunday June 01, 2009.

Please click here for the latest list of collection centers. We are collecting canned foods, rice, cereal, cooking oil in addition to cash donations to serve at least 1000 Muslim families in our area including more than 150 Muslim refugee families from Iraq, Burma, Somalia, Russia, and Sudan who are now living in Chicago land area.

Your support is necessary for the success of this important project. Therefore we humbly request you to support this initiative by donating generously or volunteering to this project.

We look forward to your support and urge you to forward this message to you friends and community so they too can join this effort and be part of letting the general public know why Islam is the religion for humanity.

Jazakumallah Khair.
ICNA Relief - Chicago
relief@icnachicago.org

Assalamu-Alaikum,

Eid Mubarak to you!!

Aurora and Naperville Neighbor-Nets of ICNA jointly organized a Ramadan dinner for friends, neighbors, librarians, and teachers at Tall grass Club house on September 20, 2008.

Alhamdulillah, about hundred people including more than sixty guests attended the event.

Please visit the picture gallery at: http://www.mswschicago.org/gallery/v/ramadan2008iftar

Aurora Neighbor-Net of ICNA organized a display on Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr at Eola public library. Presentation and artifacts on Ramadan and Eid were on display for the whole month of Ramadan.

Visit the picture gallery at: http://www.mswschicago.org/gallery/v/librarydisplay2008/

Assalamu-alaikum,

We had arranged our annual summer picnic at Blackwell Forest Preserve on August 23rd 2008. Alhamdulillah, it turned out to be a beautiful day and everyone had a lot of fun.

Check out the picnic picture album: http://www.mswschicago.org/gallery/v/summerpicnic2008/

JazakAllah

Assalamu Alaikum wrwb,
Insha Allah, on Saturday July 26th, 2008, Six Flags Great America at Gurnee, IL, will be host to thousands of Muslims for the 4th annual Muslim Family Day, an event organized by ICNA Chicago. This event is a fun outing for the entire family with halal food, dedicated place for salat, and presence of thousands of muslims! Come and enjoy with your fellow muslims famililies.

Special Discounted Ticket Price: $30
Save over 45% of the retail price $54.99...
100's of rides and shows
Children aged 2 and under free!

Tickets Locations:
Click here to buy tickets Online!!
DIC - Downtown Islamic Center
Nayab Mart - Devon
Iqra Bookstore - Devon
ICNA Dawah Center - Devon & California
IFS Book Store - Islamic Foundation, Villa Park
Medina Market - Lombard
Medina Market - Aurora
Mosque Foundation - Bridgeview

Zabiha food vendors are:
Desi Grill | Lombard, IL
Anmol Restaurant | Milwaukee, WI

Organized By:
ICNA Chicago
6224 N. California Ave.
Chicago , IL 60659

800-662-ISLAM(4752)
www.icnachicago.org
sixflags@icnachicago.org

Tickets:
$40 per Person
$100 per Family

Guest Speakers:
Dr. Shaikh Ahmed Kobiesy
Professor at Syracuse University - Author, Iman, Chaplain ~ Graduate of Madina University in Hadith and Islamic Studies.

Imam Omar Suleiman
Renowned speaker at dawah, youth, and humanitarian conventions ~ Graduate in Islamic Law and Hadith from Islamic Academy of Research Science in UAE.