Ramadan 2025: The Muslim Americans from the Chicago region celebrate the beginning of the Ramadan in Bridgeview Mosque for 30 days of fasting from dusk to dawn

Bridgeview, Ill. (WLS) – It was a busy Saturday in Bridgeview. Hundreds of people grabbed the mosque for the night prayer, while the month of Ramadan is officially underway.

It is a month of joy and conveys a real sense of community, since Muslim Americans are quick every day from dawn to dusk.

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Millions of Muslims around the world are now coming together to celebrate Ramadan.

In the next 30 days, Muslims from dawn to dusk will forego food, drinks and sensual joys.

Apart from spiritual reflection, one of the most important parts of the month is associated with charity and non-profit services.

“It is true that you escape the food and drink from dusk to evening, but there is an enormous amount of joy that we feel this month because you train yourself to hold yourself back,” said Oussama Jammal.

Jammal is Vice President of the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, where the mosque has become a hub for thousands of people in the region who are merging for Ramadan prayers, services and dinner.

“This month is a month of discipline,” said Mohammed Ammra, a nightly participant. “This month is the month of forgiveness … and family meetings.”

Muslim Americans are devoting themselves to their faith this month, but for many this means even more if they pray for their relatives who are affected by the war in the Gaza.

“It seems that what happens in the world is pushing people to be a little more connected … to be a bit close together,” said Jammal.

This feeling of community has expanded to people of all ages and gave everyone a feeling for what Ramadan is about.

“Can come together with the entire community,” said Faeq Haleem, a nightly participant. “Everyone had the same goal to please Allah and do it for Allah. It's a kind of great thing and what the month works.”

When the first day is completed on Saturday, people will continue to gather in Bridgeview and in other mosques in the Chicago region in the next 30 days.

The month is completed with the celebration of the EID vacation.