Muslims to decorate Daley Plaza with minaret

CHICAGO -- Chicago Muslims celebrating Ramadan are planning to build a minaret at Daley Plaza for the first time, joining Christians and Jews in decorating the public square for the holidays.

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago has the city's preliminary approval to build an ornate reproduction of the tower used to call Muslims to prayer. The group hopes to place the decoration alongside a Hanukkah menorah and Christmas manger during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that began Friday.

"The point was there was a need to give equal representation to the three Abrahamic religions," said Kareem Irfan, the chairman of the council. "There has long been representation of the other religions through the holiday displays. There was a need to have representation of the area's more than 400,000 Muslims."

The council approached the city with the idea about a year ago, said Clarence Wood, the city's human relations commissioner.

'It became a necessity'

But since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Muslims feel especially compelled to send a message of inclusion in American society, said Sabri Samirah, director of the United Muslim Americans Association.

"Before Sept. 11, there was a desire in the Muslim community to do something to give a positive message about our religion," Samirah said. "Following Sept. 11, it was not just a desire, but it became a necessity."

The only other major U.S. cities to have such an Islamic display are New York and Washington, he said.

Architects from the Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects have settled on a 30-foot-high tower with a dome atop four aluminum and steel pillars, Samirah said. An illuminated crescent moon will be affixed on the dome, he said, and there may be a star, though there is concern it could be confused with Judaism's Star of David.

The organization hopes to have the display ready for dedication during the first week of December.

Including Islam in holiday displays can be tricky because the faith discourages symbolism, said Aminah McCloud, an associate professor of Islamic studies at DePaul University.