C-U Community, Gov. Quinn, Observe Last Day of Ramadan

A local leader of Champaign-Urbana’s Muslim population admits the local observance of Ramadan was dampened by violence in other parts of the world.  

The annual month-long period of fasting from sunrise to sunset ends Monday with the feast known as Eid, al-Fitr, the 'festival of the breaking of the fast.'

Ahmed Taha is President of the Urbana-Champaign Chapter of the Muslim American Society.    He said news of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian crisis has been on their minds, as Muslims function as one body worldwide.

“And every night in Ramadan, if you came to the Islamic Center, you’ll find every Muslim is feeling the pain of the Palestinian people, regardless whether we are Palestinians, Egyptians, or whatever," he said.

The Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center is located in Urbana.  Taha says the local Muslim community isn’t huge in size, but not small either.

Muslims spent extra time praying during Ramadan, typically five times a day.  The local Muslim-American Society concludes its observance of Ramadan Saturday with Eid Carnival 2014, in Hessel Park in Champaign.

Governor Pat Quinn issued a statement, calling Monday a 'day to focus on others and a time to act generously to those in need.'