Baskets at Green Hills Public Library are brimming with donated clothes for Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday that marks the end of the monthlong fast of Ramadan.
It’s the first time the library in Palos Hills has collected clothing for the festive occasion, but Kristin Sumner, the youth programming librarian who organized it, hopes it won’t be the last.
“I was thinking about celebrations that I’ve had for my religious holidays and I’ve always gotten a new outfit,” said Sumner.
When she asked several of her Muslim colleagues and friends about dressing up for Eid, they said they enjoyed the same ritual.
So the library is collecting clothing for men, women and children over age 3 that is clean, without rips and obscene messages or pictures through April 7. No socks, shoes, baby clothes or household items are needed, but standard-sized plastic hangers and clothing racks are welcome. Drop-off is at the youth services desk.
Because people wear different types of clothing for any celebration, staff members said donations may be “modest to modern.”
“The way we decided to do it, rather than dictate what is or is not traditional Muslim attire for the holiday, is we opened it up to be whatever you think is appropriate for a holiday celebration,” said Sumner.
There will be an Eid Clothing Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 14, when individuals may choose one free item.
“We do have a significant population of Muslim families who are going to be celebrating Eid, so we wanted to make sure that something was there for them,” said Sumner.
Yasmeen Abuhayyeh, who works in adult services at the library, welcomed the idea.
“I think it’s good because we live in Palos Hills and Hickory Hills and have a lot of Middle Eastern patrons and Muslim patrons,” said Abuhayyeh. “I think there’s a lot more we could be doing to help that group, specifically, and I think it’s nice that we have this.”
Several websites, including Best Places and Dwellics (best city rankings), report 3.9% of residents in Palos Hills are Muslim.
Abuhayyeh said Eid is an important holiday and actually happens twice a year, once after Ramadan and also after the pilgrimage to Mecca. The latter is known as Eid al-Adha.
“Ever since I was a kid, everyone is always wearing a dress, my brothers and dad wear suits and ties,” Abuhayyeh said. “Everybody does wear their best clothes.”
But it’s also a day to spend with families, including relatives one doesn’t see often.
“It’s always just nice when the holiday rolls around and you go outside and everybody is celebrating,” Abuhayyeh said. “It means a lot to be able to see that.”
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Abuhayyeh said some people in the region are struggling financially.
“People won’t say anything about it,” Abuhayyeh said. “I think it will be nice to have this at your local library, you can go to get something for Eid that looks good and makes you feel good for the holiday.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.