Friendships and common ground were established over a generous meal. (Northern Illinois Conference Photo)
Northern Illinois Conference | March 16, 2026
United Methodists and Muslims broke bread and barriers at the Muslim-Methodist Iftar (breaking the Ramadan fast), March 3 at the Islamic Center of Wheaton.
The Northern Illinois Conference and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago offer these dinners annually to build relationships and affirm common values.
“Part of Ramadan is fasting from indifference,” said Dr. Muhammad Abdulghany Hamadeh, chairman of CIOGC, in his welcome of participants.
Referring to the dinner’s theme, “Confronting Displacement and Dehumanization of Our Neighbors,” he said that “Coexistence is possible when dignity is protected.
“When we dehumanize each other, we all are diminished.”
“The playbook that creates migration is authoritarianism,” observed Bishop Dan Schwerin of the Northern Illinois–Wisconsin Conference.
“Instead of calling people out, let’s call them forward. That is hopeful,” he said.
He used the metaphor of mushrooms. Mushrooms that appear above the ground after a rain are the visible part of a vast underground fungus.
“They are connected in a great network,” he explained. “Networks move things forward for mutual benefit.”
Rev. Lindsey Joyce described the work of NIC's rapid-response ministry. (Northern Illinois Conference Photo)
Rev. Lindsay Joyce, who organizes the NIC Rapid Response Team to monitor Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in the region, named the “collective vocation” of standing in solidarity with our neighbors.
The rapid-response work entails watching and witnessing ICE activity, participating in protests, and offering pastoral care to those in the Broadview, Ill., ICE facility. Because clergy were denied access to detainees, they shouted to people being held in the building to show they had not been forgotten.
“Part of our faith is that if you come for one of us, you come for us all,” she said.
“We need each other. We can borrow courage from each other.”
The continual attacks on Palestinians in Gaza were described by William Asfour, who originates from that region. Having seen his own family endure violence, displacement, and loss, he is committed to educating others and speaking unapologetically for Palestine.
“Houses and mosques have been destroyed by Israelis, using American arms,” he said.
The youngest of his family members to be killed in this violence was a three-month-old cousin. He witnessed a family member being dismembered. There have been three air strikes on his home, which is located in a “safe zone.”
Even those who take shelter in hospitals as instructed are vulnerable to snipers, he said.
Diners met and discussed common concerns. (Northern Illinois Conference Photo)
Imam Sheikh Fahmi Abdelkawy of the Islamic Center of Wheaton concluded the evening by stating that “Dehumanization does not start with policy, but when relationships break down.”
He called those gathered to three commitments:
Maintain presence by showing up for one another consistently
Build personal connections by meeting with someone of the other faith once a month
When our neighbors are in trauma, be present with them
“Diversity is divine intent,” he said. “We are not meant to fear each other but to know each other.”
The Rev. Victoria Rebeck is director of communications for the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church. This article is republished with permission from the conference website.