Muslim families celebrate Eid at Elgin museum

For the second year, dozens of children and families gathered at the Elgin Public Museum to mark the end of Ramadan with a celebration Friday.

The natural history museum offered themed crafts and activities to commemorate the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset. The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God's commandments. Fasting is one of the "five pillars" of Islam.

The end of Ramadan is marked by communal prayers called "Eid al-Fitr" or "Feast of the Fast-Breaking," which this year fell on Wednesday.

Last year's program drew many families, mostly Muslim, to the museum, said Executive Director Peggie Stromberg.

"They made Ramadan lanterns," Stromberg said. "It was popular. We expanded it this year."

This year there were more activities and crafts for adults, as well as kids.

"We do a lot of different things for different religions," Stromberg said. "We just had never done one for Ramadan. Everybody seemed to really, really like it (last year). They were really glad to see a Muslim holiday celebrated."