Muslim Community Center Morton Grove hosts interfaith prayer and dinner on Thanksgiving Eve

On November 22nd, 2017 Wednesday evening, about nearly 300 people filled up in the Community Hall of the Muslim Educational Center Morton Grove to celebrate the Thanksgiving, Diversity and Unity.

Interfaith prayer and Dinner Brings out Expressions of Gratitude in Morton Grove Mosque. The program was organized by the MCC / MEC Interfaith & Outreach committee. The purpose of the event is to build bridges to other faiths and joined together for Prays, Peace, Unity and Diversity.

The event, now in its 2nd year, is one of the largest interfaith event in Morton Grove. Several faiths join hand together prayers from their respective faith traditions. Many Religious and people from local the neighborhood attended the Interfaith Prayer. With a common goal of inclusiveness, the vast group of attendees sang together, prays together and listened to speakers.

Several churches and faith communities including Saint Luke's Christion community Church, Muslim Education Center, Saint Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, Saint Martha of Bethany, Shrine of all Saint Catholic Church, St. Mary Knanaya Catholic Parish and many others join the evening.

Master of ceremonies was Bushra Amiwala. Currently she is a Student in DePaul University.

The processional hymn "America the Beautiful" is an American patriotic song was sung by several members of the local church. Welcome address was performed by Bushra Amiwala. A psalm of thanksgiving in Hebrew was performed by Mr. Don Sneider and Rev. Gordon Smith. The recitation of the holy Quran was performed by Hafiz Ali Siddiqui and laiba Navaid. Rev. Andrew Luczak pastor of the St. Isaac Jogues Church gave a speech on The Message. Anthem "Pray for the world" Morton Grove women who drink tea, and a litany of thanksgiving we performed by Rev. Elizabeth Jones and Dee Stanton. Closing Hymn Come, Ye Thankful People by Mr. Don Sneider and Fr. Dennis O Neill

Guests were donated large amount toward relief efforts for Puerto Rico, Hurricane Irma and Maria.

At the end, all interfaith religious leaders joined together and express that "We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, who came today for thanksgiving 's prayer and for the loving care which surrounds us on the Morton Grove area. O Lord our God Please accepts our prayers with blessings of thanksgiving."

At the end, delicious refreshments were served for all. MCC Imam, Hafiz Ikhlas distributed his book "Islam- brief introduction of History and Faith".