On the one-year mark for the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago and the Chicago area American-Muslim community joined our fellow Americans in remembering all the victims of the three tragedies, who included Muslims, Christians, Jews, and those of other faiths. The Chicago-area Muslim community hosted and participating in many memorial services. The following is a brief synopsis of the remembrances.

Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, on behalf of the Chicago area Muslim-American community, held a special interfaith memorial ceremony of unity and prayer on September 10, 2002, at the Islamic Foundation, Villa Park, Illinois. The program included reflections by the Chairman of the Council, Mr. Kareem Irfan, Esq., Rev. Stanley Davis (National Conference for Community & Justice), Rabbi Ira Youdovin, (Chicago Board of Rabbis), Rev. Paul Rutgers (Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago) and Sr. Joan McGuire (Archdiocese of Chicago). The Council organized this ceremony to provide an avenue for American-Muslims to come together with people of other faiths, who were supportive of the American-Muslim community in the aftermath of September 11, reflect on the tragic loss of life, and provide strength to each other during these difficult times. The ceremony also provided an opportunity for youth to reflect on the tragedies: the fifth grade class at Islamic Foundation School presented two songs, and high school students from Muslim parochial high schools recite a poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes.

In addition, the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago collaborated with the City of Chicago for the September 11 observance at Daley Plaza, which was attended by over 3,000 people. Along with Chicago’s other prominent religious leaders, the Chairman of the Council, Mr. Kareem Irfan, participated in a formal reading of the Chicago Prayer of Unity, Remembrance and Hope.

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago also participated in a memorial service hosted by the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, held at the Chicago Temple. On behalf of the Muslim-American community, Shaykh Mohammad Amin Kholwadia recited a prayer from the Holy Qur’an at the service.

In addition, the Council was honored and privileged to participate in memorial services at the invitation of the following communities and houses of worship:

• Fourth Presbyterian Church, downtown Chicago – Mr. Kamran Bajwa, a representative of the Council, recited verses from the Holy Qur’an.
• St. James Episcopalian Church, downtown Chicago – Ms. Amina Saeed, the Council’s Director – Community Relations, recited a prayer for peace from the Holy Qur’an.
• Des Plaines Memorial Service – Mr. Azam Nizamuddin, a member of the Council’s Interfaith Committee, recited some verses from the Holy Qur’an and a poem by Jalaluddin Rumi.
• Arlington Heights Interfaith Service – Mr. Hammad Aziz, a representative of the Council, recited verses from the Holy Qur’an and a supplication for peace from Prophet Muhammad (may peace be on him).
• Mount Prospect Memorial Service – A representative of the Council, recited verses from the Holy Qur’an.
• Bahai House of Worship – At a special service commemorating the International Day of Peace on September 15, 2002, Ms. Amina Saeed, the Council’s Director-Community Relations, shared stories about the support the Muslim-American community has received from its interfaith partners in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy.

Downtown Islamic Center, 218 South Wabash Street, Suite 5, Chicago, Illinois 60604

The Downtown Islamic Center held a prayer service for 9/11 remembrance on Wednesday, September 11, 2002. The special service took place immediately after the congregational zuhr (afternoon) prayer, and included remarks by Mr. Farhan Syed, a member of the Downtown Islamic Center, Mr. Mohammed Kaiseruddin, president of the Muslim Community Center and a member of the Downtown Islamic Center, and Ms. Amina Saeed, Director – Community Relations, Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago. Special guests included members of Chicago’s Old St. Pat’s Church, with whom members of the Downtown Islamic Center have initiated an interfaith dialogue. In the evening, members of the Downtown Islamic Center attended a special memorial service held at Old St. Pat’s Church.

Islamic Center of Naperville, 450 Olesen Drive, Naperville, Illinois 60540 (630) 355.3733.

1. Sep 11 - Dan Shanower Memorial ground breaking, interfaith service: 8:30 a.m., Riverwalk, Naperville.
2. Sep 11 - Millenium Carillon vigil and interfaith service. 7:00 p.m..
3. Sep 11 - St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wheaton. Joint service with the Islamic Center of Naperville.
4. Sep 14 - Islamic Center of Naperville. 2:00-4:00 p.m. Commemorative service and open house.

Islamic Cultural Center, 1810 Pfingston Road, Northbrook, Illinois 60062 847) 272.0319.

The Islamic Cultural Center of Northbrook co-hosted a September 11 memorial event at the Village Center of Northbrook. Clergy from various denominations recited a prayer and held a candlelight vigil.

Hamdard Center for Health and Human Services, 355 N. Wood Dale Rd., Wood Dale, IL (630) 860.9122

In collaboration with Giving DuPage-DuPage Remembers And Gives, the Hamdard Center participated in a day of volunteer activities on Sept. 11, beginning with a rally in the morning at the Morton Arboretum. Hamdard Center also had a display table and booth at the event. In addition, Hamdard Center served as a host site and participated in a joint community project with Elmhurst Memorial Health Care, which has adopted Hamdard Center. Ten Elmhurst volunteers along with Hamdard staff and volunteers, painted a domestic violence shelter on September 11.

Masjid al-Huda, 1081 W. Irving Park Road, Schaumburg, Illinois 60193 (630) 529.1786

Masjid Al-Huda held a special prayer service for the victims of September 11 following the congregational Maghreb (sunset) prayer.

Muslim Community Center, 4380 N. Elston Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60641 (773-725-9047)

The Muslim Community Center held an interfaith community prayer on September 11^th. The names of all the victims were prominently displayed, with the names of Muslims highlighted. Many people attended this remembrance ceremony.

Mosque Foundation, 7360 West 93d Street, Bridgeview, Illinois 60455 (708) 430.5666.

The Mosque Foundation held a prayer service for the victims of 9/11 on Wednesday, September 11, 2002, in conjunction with the congregational Isha (night) prayer. The Mosque Foundation also held an open house on Friday, September 13, in the evening hours, after the congregational Maghreb (sunset) prayer.

Universal School, 7350 W. 93^rd Street, Bridgeview, Illinois 60455 (708) 599.4100

A group of students at Universal School began September 11 by attending a remembrance ceremony conducted by the Village of Bridgeview. Afterwards, Universal School hosted its own a memorial ceremony to mark the anniversary of the tragedy. In addition, Universal School and Maria Catholic High School jointly held an ecumenical service to pray for peace in the world.

© 2002 CIOGC Updated: 18-Oct-2002