On Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, CIOGC joined the Archdiocese of Chicago for the Annual Muslim-Catholic Iftar at the Muslim Community Center in Morton Grove. The longstanding tradition brought together Muslims and Catholics to break the fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the season of Lent, creating a moment of solidarity and reflection.
The theme of this year’s event, “Bridges of Hope: The Power of Prayer and Fasting in Our Traditions,” encouraged attendees to reflect on shared values while addressing urgent social issues. Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, highlighted how Lent serves as a time for Catholics to focus on the essentials of their faith, urging all to dig deeper into their spiritual foundations and live out their values more intentionally.
Dr. Abdulgany Hamadeh, Chairman of CIOGC, continued this call by stressing the importance of interfaith dialogue as a tool for resolving conflict and emphasized the need for more collaboration between faith communities, especially in an increasingly divided world.
Following Dr. Hamadeh, Sister Barbara Reid spoke about the vital role of religion in promoting justice and dignity. She reminded the audience that when faith is practiced with integrity, it becomes a force that can help combat societal inequalities and oppression, highlighting how faith traditions provide both guidance and a moral framework for change.
Imam Hassan Aly, Director of Community Engagement at MedGlobal, shared a powerful message, calling Ramadan a time for truth and justice. He spoke on how Ramadan is not just about fasting, but about looking beyond ourselves to ask how we can help the world and build bridges of hope during challenging times.
Representatives from various faiths gathered in the spirit of camaraderie, showing that when we come together, we can tackle the inequalities and injustices we all face. CIOGC thanks the Muslim Community Center’s Interfaith Committee and their volunteers for making the Iftar dinner a success.
As we continue working toward the common good, we invite you to support CIOGC’s interfaith programming this Ramadan. Your donation will help us strengthen the partnerships that make a difference in our communities. Thank you for your support!