[Peace] CF: CIMIC Press Release: Muslims Celebrate End of Pilgrimage Season

[CIMIC Web Master]

Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center (CIMIC)

Press Release - February 9, 2003

Muslims Celebrate End of Pilgrimage Season

(Urbana, IL, 2/9/2003) - On Feb.11, 2003, the Muslim community of East
Central Illinois joins more than eight million Muslims in America and a 1.4
billion worldwide to celebrate the Islamic holiday of "Eid-ul-Adha" or the
"festival of the sacrifice". It marks the end of the yearly pilgrimage to
Mecca, or Hajj.

HOW: 	The holiday will be celebrated with congregational prayers in the
Mosque, social gatherings, community breakfast, gifts for children, and food
and meat distribution to the needy. In previous years, more than 800 Muslims
turned out for the daylong event. 
WHEN:   Tuesday, Feb.  11 at 9:00 a.m., followed by a light breakfast.
WHERE:  Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center - CIMIC (106 South
Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61801) .
WHY: 	  "Eid ul-Adha" is to celebrate the end of pilgrimage season,
praising God and commemorating Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice
his son Ishmael at God's command. 

Visits to the Mosque are welcome.  To arrange media coverage of this
occasion, please contact CIMIC (see below) ahead of time. 

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND:
* While Eid prayer will be held on Feb. 11, festivities will take place
between Feb. 11 and 13. As well, please note that every year, "Eid-ul-Adha"
coincides with Hajj, a pilgrimage Muslims must make to Mecca, in Saudi
Arabia, which is a religious obligation. This year, the peak day for Hajj
will be Feb. 10 (which is the ninth day of the Islamic month in which Hajj
is performed). 
* Since this is a prayer service, media professionals who will be attending,
both men and women, are asked to dress modestly. Photographers are also
advised not to step directly in front of worshipers and to seek permission
for close-up shots.

CIMIC is wishing All Muslims and friends in East-Central Illinois and the
whole world a peaceful, happy and productive festivity.

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Contact: 	Dr. Mujahid Al-Fayadh, Imam/Mosque Director
		Phone: (217) 344-1555. E-Mail: dralfayadh at hotmail.com
CIMIC Telefax: (217) 344-1555, e-mail: cimic at prairienet.org 
		Website: http://www.cimic.org
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