Bolingbrook mayor hosts Iftar dinner in honor of the Muslim community

Muslims across the world, including Chicago and other major cities in the U.S., recently observed Ramadan, one of their biggest religious months.

This year's Ramadan started on Monday, April 12, and ended in the evening of Tuesday, May 11.

Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta organized a special Iftar dinner program in honor of the Muslim community to promote and strengthen harmony between different communities.

Former Mayor Roger C. Claar had started the tradition a couple decades ago. The dinner for nearly 75 people was held at Bolingbrook Golf Club May 6.

The mayor thanked all those in attendence for participating in this event to strengthen peace and harmony, tolerance and respect and equality among all sections of civil society. A variety of Iftar and dinner arrangements were made to the delight of the participants.

There were representatives of public organizations, members of Bolingbrook village board, as well as people of all faiths. Due to the pandemic, attendance was limited.

Notable participants included Atlas Chaudhry, Aziz Vayani, Rana Zaman Saeed, Akhtar Masood Chik Syed, Nawaz Iqbal, Rizwan Asghar, Dr. Muhammad Nadeem Longi, Hamid Bhatti, Asif Syed and Pakistan News Bureau Chief Rana Javed, and many others.

The Bolingbrook police and fire chiefs, as well as other officials, attended the Iftar dinner and expressed solidarity with the Muslim and Pakistani community and gave best wishes for Ramadan. Talat Rashid, a Bolingbrook Police Commissioner who is very active in the community, thanked everyone for attending the dinner.