A three-panel display in the lobby of the Naperville Municipal Center gives passersby information on the holy month of Ramadan and provides examples of how to wish Muslim neighbors a happy holiday.
The display was unveiled Thursday and will remain in the municipal center lobby through the end of Ramadan in the first week of June. One panel also explains Hajj, the Pilgrimage to Mecca and the “religious duty that Muslims should undertake at least once, if they are physically and financially able.”
The idea for the display came about at the inaugural diversity meeting hosted by City Councilman Benny White in March. Naperville resident Khalid Ghori, during a comment period, brought up that the city displays a menorah and a Christmas tree every year, but nothing is done to recognize Islamic traditions.
Following the meeting, City Councilman John Krummen contacted Ghori and they began talking about what a display could include, Ghori said.
Both Ramadan and Hajj are included in the display so people can learn about both at the same time.
“I feel as a community we are all enriched when we learn about our neighbors and deepen our care for one another,” Ghori said. “Muslims want to be better understood.”
Ghori said people ask him all the time whether he celebrates holidays like Christmas, and what Ramadan is like. “We give gifts and we use wrapping paper too,” Ghori said, adding he created the display in hopes people will better understand Ramadan and why Muslims are fasting.
Ramadan is observed on different dates each year, based on the lunar calendar, and began on May 5 this year. During Ramadan, Muslims participate in fasting — one of the five pillars of Islam and a major religious practice, the panel titled Ramadan explains.
“Muslims fast daily from dawn until sunset. They are not permitted to eat or drink (and) instead focus their mind on faith, family, work, prayer and strive to deepen their spirituality and increase charity,” the panel reads.
A middle panel in the display offers suggestions on “ways to wish your Muslim neighbor a happy holiday,” including “Ramadan Mubarak” and “Eid Mubarak.” Pronunciations are also included.
Some other cities do a better job of including different religions and cultures, but Naperville is moving in the right direction, Ghori said.
Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico attended the unveiling of the municipal center display.
“It’s an opportunity to educate people about this holiday and the culture,” Chirico said. “It’s important for us to be inclusive.
“It’s really just a matter of allowing people to celebrate their culture,” Chirico said.
The display’s middle panel suggests visiting islamiccenterofnaperville.org or emailing admin@icnmasjid.org for more information.