Eid signals the true Indo-Pak bond in Chicago

Especially in a multicultural city like Chicago, Eid serves as a sweet reminder of how all Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Muslims and non-Muslims have so much in common and how they love to celebrate as one big desi community.

 

“There may be difference between India and Pakistan on news but come to Chicago to see how we are so connected and united with each other.” — Jamil Khan, community activist

The Eid celebrations usually marked with henna, bangles, ethnic wear stalls, games and treats for children along with a feast stalls are cultural markers that are unique not just to one community but to the entire subcontinent

We attend Iftar parties and also on Eid day we distribute bottles of mango juice to all our customers at our stores. For us it is a festive occasion – Mafat Lal Patel, founder, Patel Brothers

Eid in Chicago has a uniquely distinct flavor. It is not only that time of the year when the Muslim community comes together to celebrate with full vigor the month of Ramadan followed by Eid, it is also a time when both Indian and Pakistanis join the festivities together united by their common culture, language and preferences.
From many Eid Melas in the city area to Chand Raat functions dotted across the suburbs; for Indian and Pakistani community the joint love of henna designs, jewelry, ethnic wear, biryani and of course the traditions and beliefs associated with the month of Ramadan and Eid makes it ideal for them to look forward to the festivities together as one big desi community.
As the numbers of desis in Chicago have increased, over the years, the festivities have gotten bigger and better. The celebrations today that mark this month are now not only limited just to Muslims. Community leaders from both India and Pakistan confirm that people across faith make it a point to experience the revelry that lasts for a month and culminates into the festival of Eid.
Especially in a multicultural city like Chicago, the festival for many is a sweet reminder of how all desi communities like Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Muslims and non-Muslims have so much in common and how they love to participate in each other’s functions.
Ramadan the ninth month of the Muslim calendar is considered auspicious and is marked by fasting through the month. Traditionally Muslims not only abstain from eating and drinking from daybreak till sunset but also pay special emphasis on leading pious lives and increasing charity and good deeds.
For thousands of Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis who are settled in the US, the festival serves as an important reminder for them to recreate the same brotherly spirit that is reminiscent of Ramadan back home. The fact that people across faiths and communities join in the celebration makes the event even richer and significant for the entire desi community. Mafat Lal Patel one of the founders of Patel Brothers, the best known desi grocery chain across the US says, “We have not just Indian and Pakistani employees but also Malaysian Muslims who feel equally at ease celebrating the festival with us. Our patrons are from across the communities and we take special care to stock Ramadan specific food like dates and sewayin. We also give bottles of mango juice to our customers on Eid across the US. It’s a tradition that we follow and it makes us happy that all our customers feel connected.”

A slice of India and Pakistan
Anyone who has attended the Chand Raat (traditionally the night before Eid, marked by the sighting of the moon) in Chicago’s Devon’s Avenue vouches that the celebrations and the spirit takes them back to their native places in India and Pakistan. Jamil Khan who is a community activist and runs a business of auto repairs in Chicago area, came to the US from Karachi, Pakistan 37 years ago. He has been actively involved in community affairs and has also served as the Chairman of the Pakistan United Parade Community. Over many decades he has seen the growing desi presence in Chicago. He also considers Eid in Chicago, unique as it is celebrated by people from both the communities in a singular spirit of brotherhood. He says, “There may be difference between India and Pakistan on news but come to Chicago to see how we are so connected and united with each other.”
He adds, “In the Devon Avenue area it is not just the Muslim shops and eateries that offer iftaar delicacies but almost every business enterprise runs a Eid special. Patel Brothers’ the famous Indian grocery chain run a special Ramadan sale and other many Indian non-Muslim restaurant owners too have special sweets and menu preparations. It is a blessing to have so much love and respect across communities and it is reflected beautifully during Ramadan.”
The feeling of celebrating each other’s important occasions together is reflected across communities. Iftekhar Sharif, who hails from Hyderabad, India and runs his enterprise, National Bank Card Corporation in Chicago, is another active member of the community. He has served as the chairman and trustee of Federation of Indian Association of Chicago. Sharif says, “As an association we consider community events such as the Indian Republic Day, Independence Day, Diwali and Eid celebrations as the most important.”
Sharif agrees that over the years as the population of both the communities has grown in US; it has become difficult to host one event where everyone can participate. He says, “Today there are so many big and small events that cater to the populations in certain areas but given the close cultural proximity between Indians and Pakistanis, more often than not they come together to host joint events.”

Everyone’s invited
As the number of functions, iftaar parties, chand raat melas and Eid bazaar increase community activists are also noticing an important trend – that of not just desis but even Americans and other nationalities getting interested in knowing the culture and tradition behind the festivities. Iftekhar Sharif who recently attended the inter-faith Iftaar party at Muslim Community Center at Morton Grove says, “ The event had participation from people across faith and storytellers from Jewish, Christian, Bahai, Hindu and Muslim faith described the significance of fasting in their culture.” The motive of the event remained to let our neighbors know our practices and beliefs. Nick Patel a prominent business owner who runs tanning salons and a chain of Mexican restaurant Taco Madre in the Chicago Land area says, “A lot of Pakistanis and Indians come to our restaurant when they want to try some Mexican food for Iftar and that’s the beauty of living in diverse place like Chicago where you celebrate all occasions in a truly global spirit.” He adds, “Also it’s not just around Eid that we see this common bond between Indians, Pakistanis and South Asians. We organize a lot of concerts with Bollywood stars such as Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt and even singers such Atif Aslam. The love these celebs get from everyone is regardless of the place they are from. It also goes on to show how as one big desi community our idea of entertainment is also same.”
Events such as these to invite all irrespective of their faith have been on the rise. Salman Aftab who is a community activist and has held various positions such as member of the tolerance committee and advisor to county sheriff and is presently co-chair of Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Iftar committee says, “With close to 400k Muslims now in Illinois its natural to have many and diverse celebrations of the festival. However due to cultural resonance typically Indian, Pakistanis and people from the sub continent come together to mark the festival. He explains, “While the Eid prayers in the mosques are common to everyone the Eid fetes that follow in many places are custom designed to traditions of certain countries. Just like most Indians and Pakistanis prefer an Urdu or English sermon in the mosque during the prayer, their ideas of post namaz celebrations are same too. At the Mc Cormick Place where the biggest Eid Mela is held every year it is not just Muslims from India or Pakistan who attend but desis from all faiths come over and that’s what makes it a moment of great pride for everyone.” Aftab points out, “What is also extremely significant is that on a city level there is a participation from American politicians, congress men and city officials in events pertaining to Ramadan and Eid.” He adds, “The Mayor of Chicago initiated the Iftar event last year and it was carried this year too.”
Jamil Khan observes, “It is the camaraderie that marks the occasion. During Ramadan the mosques all across Chicago relentlessly serve Iftar and there is no dearth of volunteers or eateries eager to sponsor Iftar in mosques.”
The Eid celebrations usually marked with henna, bangles, ethnic wear stalls, games and treats for children along with a feast stalls are cultural markers that are unique not just to one community but to the entire subcontinent and that’s what the spirit of Eid is all about – to bring people together and celebrate the joys!

HOW TO CELEBRATE EID IN CHICAGO

EID EXPO 2017
Organized by the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago and Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America and managed by American Pan Islamic Community Council this one day event will have Eid prayers followed by a fete where food vendors, shopping options and entertainment activities will be enthralling families together.
When: June25, 2017, 9.00am-9.00pm
Where: Mc Cormick Place, Hall B1, 2301, S King Drive
For more info: www.eidexpo.com

MCC FAMILY EID POT LUCK PARTY
Bring your favorite family dish and dine and celebrate with families marking the festive event together. There will be fun activities for the entire family.
When: Sunday, July 2 -3, 2017, 3pm-7pm
Where: 4380, N Elston Ave
For more info: www.mccchicago.org

ICNA EID FEST 2017
The 7th annual Eid fest will feature entertainment, rides, fireworks and festivities. There will be ferris wheels, fun slides and mouth-watering food sold by caterers.
When: July 7-9, 2017
Where: Islamic Foundation, High Ridge Road, Villa Park
For more info: www.icnachicago.org