Neighborhood News: Celebrating Muslim Culture in Chicago as Eid al-Fitr gets underway
Over the next few days, Chicago‘s Muslim community will be celebrating the end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr 2026, beginning around the evening of March 19-20, depending on the appearance of a new moon.
History and Significance of Eid al Fitr
According to Wikipedia sources, Eid al Fitr (‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’) is the first of the two main festivals in Islam, the other being Eid al-Adha. It falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It marks the end of month-long, dawn-to-dusk fasting (sawm) during Ramadan. It’s one of the most beloved festivals, where people celebrate with utmost faith and joy.
Eid history dates back to 624 AD, when Prophet Muhammad and his companions celebrated the first Eid after the Battle of Badr. The festival is celebrated to commemorate the end of Ramadan. Eid significance is all about gratitude, charity, and camaraderie, as people gather to celebrate faith, kindness, and love, rewarding Muslims for their devotion, patience, and spiritual growth during Ramadan.
Muslims in Chicago: A Short History
Muslims have been part of Chicago’s history since the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, developing into a diverse, major community with over 100 mosques today.
Key milestones include the 1906 establishment of the Bosnian Dzemijetul Hajrije society, the 1922 founding of the Al-Sadiq Mosque by the Ahmadiyya movement, the 1930s rise of the Nation of Islam on the South Side, and post-1960s immigration that built hubs like Bridgeview and Devon Avenue.
Establishing Community
According to the Encyclopedia of Chicago, Arab Muslims from Palestine began settling in Chicago in the early 1900s. Mostly entrepreneurs, they occupied a sociogeographic niche along the edge of the South Side’s African American community by the late 1940s. Political turmoil in the decades following the creation of Israel in 1948 brought more Palestinian Muslims to Chicago, while many non-Palestinian Arab Muslims began arriving in the mid-1950s. The first local Arab mosque, now known as the Mosque Foundation (est. 1954), opened a new facility in southwest suburban Bridgeview in 1982, later adding two state-accredited schools for Muslim children. By the end of the twentieth century, Arab Muslims were attending various mosques throughout the metropolitan region, particularly on the city’s North Side and in some suburbs.
Today, the Chicago metropolitan area has a large, diverse, and growing Muslim population, estimated at approximately 350,000 to over 400,000 residents. The population is ethnically diverse, including Asian, Arab, and African American communities.
Chicago Area Eid Celebrations and Prayers
The Downtown Islamic Center (DIC) 231 S. State Street, will host Jumu’ah (Friday Congregational Prayer) on Friday, March 20, from 1:10pm- 2pm, followed by Feed the Hungry on Sunday, March 22, from 10am – 12pm, packaging meals for those in need across the Chicago community. They’ll also host Community Iftars, with meals provided by local restaurants.
At Irving Park’s Muslim Community Center, 4380 N. Elston, March 20 marks the end of Ramadan with an Eid al-Fitr, or the “Festival of Breaking the Fast” from 7am-noon.
To round out the month, West Town’s mHUB is hosting an Eid al-Fitr Celebration at mHUB 1623 W. Fulton Street, on Monday, March 31st from 4pm–6:30pm for an afternoon of sweets, connection, and community spirit. There’ll be an Eid Sweets Station, Community Shoutouts – sharing gratitude and updates, a “Give Back” Wall for sharing your ideas on how your company can give back to the local community, and an Eid Wishes Tree for a personal message or reflection. For more information, click here.
Is That All?
MCCkeeps the celebration going through April,hosting a free EID FAMILY FEST🌙 on Saturday, April 4, from 2pm – 9pm at their MEC Banquet Hall (Basement) 8601 Menard Ave, Morton Grove. The star attraction is the JG Reptile Show (4pm – 5pm) with reptiles so close, you can even pet them. It’s fun for the whole family, with face painting, bracelet making, games and activities. Family Bazaar is selling clothes for families, jewelry and unique shoes, as well as Mehndi (Henna).
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
