For the fourth year, Argo Community High School and the Muslim Student Association hosted their Ramadan Community Iftar Dinner on Friday, March 14, in the school cafeteria.
Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims in Ramadan.
March 1 marked the beginning of Ramadan, a month of fasting observed by many students at Argo. During this time, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, focusing on personal and spiritual growth, giving to charity, and treating others with kindness. This year’s fast continues through March 29.
The annual iftar dinner welcomed the entire community to support students and break the fast together.
Club sponsor Nadia Elkhatib, a science teacher at the Summit school, organizes the event each year.
“I felt it was important to start this community event four years ago to build awareness about the Muslim and Arab community at our school and in the area,” Elkhatib said.
Elkhatib has been sponsoring the club for eight years. It currently has 15 active members.
More than 200 people attended this year’s dinner, which featured a full meal from Imdakhan, a Palestinian restaurant in Bridgeview. Guests also enjoyed Yemeni coffee and tea from Qamaria, which has locations in Chicago Ridge, Bridgeview and Naperville.
One of the evening’s highlights was the freshly made kunafa from Zamzam Sweets in Bridgeview, drawing a continuous line of eager guests. Kunafa is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made of crispy pastry layers, cheese and sweet syrup, often topped with nuts or pistachios.
“It’s a must-try,” Argo Board of Education member Diane Ponce said. “My daughter tried it last year and has been raving about it ever since!”
Elkhatib expressed gratitude for the school’s support.
“I would like to thank the administration for allowing us to host, and Diane Ponce, Alexia Walls, Halemeh Ibrahim and Patrick Wertz. Lastly, our amazing custodial staff. Without them, this event wouldn’t happen. There are so many more to thank,” she said.
Argo Principal Brandon Cotter praised the event’s success.
“This is a great turnout—more than double from last year. It’s a truly remarkable event, and it was great to see so many people,” Cotter said. “I express my sincere gratitude to Nadia Elkhatib, Nemeh Khatib, Halemah Ibrahim, Alexia Walls, and Pat Wertz for all of their hard work and dedication in putting together yet another incredibly successful iftar celebration. Reggie Cooper and his custodial team here at Argo helped throughout the night to make it all come together.
“For those who haven’t had the chance to attend one of these celebrations, I encourage them to make it a priority next year.”
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