Dupage Policy Journal

Rep. Amy Grant shared her visit to the first Naperville Halal Festival in an Aug. 13 Facebook post. She emphasized the connections she made with festival attendees.

"I recently celebrated the vibrant Halal Fest, organized by the Illinois Muslim Chamber of Commerce," Grant wrote in her post. "The event showcased the Muslim world’s rich diversity with attendees enjoying halal foods, traditional attire and cultural entertainment. I engaged with a few festival-goers – Azher J. and Diana K. from Orland Park – seeking to understand the deeper significance of halal. Azher emphasized the comfort in knowing foods met ethical standards, including humane animal treatment."

The Illinois Muslim Chamber of Commerce posted on its Facebook page about the event on Aug. 9.

“With the blessings of the Almighty and the unwavering commitment of our team, we've scripted a remarkable milestone with our inaugural event of the Naperville Halal Fest. Our intention was to bring our community under one platform and showcase to the world the diverse cultures from different parts of the Muslim world. Despite a few challenges, a steady flow of attendees from all walks of life honored us with their presence throughout the fest, culminating in a resounding success. Our heartfelt gratitude extends to our sponsors, partners, vendors, entertainers, our exceptional team and attendees representing diverse paths, for collaboratively shaping this victorious occasion,” the post read.

The inaugural Naperville Halal Festival was Aug. 5, in Frontier Park, according to CBS News. It was free of charge for attendees.

The American Halal Foundation defines “halal” as “an Arabic word that means 'lawful or permitted.'” It is a term that is used in the Islamic religion in contrast with the word haram (which means “unlawful or not allowed”). These terms indicate which life practices are allowed or not allowed for those who practice Islam (Muslims). While halal refers to much more than just Islamic dietary practices, the term is most often thought of when talking about food, drinks and other products.

The event included a demonstration of food that is considered halal, in addition to a variety of experiences, traditional attire, arts, culture and lifestyles and cultures from around the world, according to the Illinois Muslim Chamber of Commerce.

Grant was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018. A Republican, her legislative experience includes serving on the Museums, Arts and Cultural Enhancement and Mental Health & Addiction Committees. Grant is a state representative who resides in Wheaton, according to the Illinois House.