Respect for human dignity was on the agenda as Cardinal Cupich joined the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago for the annual Muslim-Catholic iftar on Feb. 24 at the Downtown Islamic Center, 231 S. State St.
Archbishops of Chicago have joined the Muslim community for an iftar during Ramadan for 27 years. During an iftar, Muslims break their Ramadan fast, observe Maghrib prayer and share a meal. Ramadan is the Muslim holy month, marked by daily fasting from dawn to sunset, ending with the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
In 2026, Lent and Ramadan overlap for the first time in 30 years.
“Coming together in fellowship we enhance our mutual understanding of one another. We build trust, and, more importantly we build friendships, which I feel very strongly about,” Cardinal Cupich told the more than 50 people who gathered.
The cardinal recognized the overlap between the two holy seasons.
“Many people have commented on the convergence of the Catholic season of Lent and the Muslim observance of Ramadan,” the cardinal said. “To enhance our mutual understanding of each other and to know better our own faith, I invite us all to take some time throughout this holy season that we both celebrate to ponder what we share as a faith, what we share together.”
Cardinal Cupich expressed his concern for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. During the iftar in 2024, the cardinal called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
“They say that we’re at peace, but there seems to be little peace going on now,” Cardinal Cupich said. “May a way forward be found soon that respects and upholds the human dignity and the rights of all, especially those who are most vulnerable.”
He also lamented withdrawal of U.S. humanitarian aid overseas.
“Wars and regional conflicts wage throughout the world leaving the most vulnerable without shelter, food or even a place in which they can survive the cold winter,” he said. “Added to these troubling developments is the reduction of U.S. support of projects to mitigate the harmful fact of climate change on God’s created world.”
What those things have in common is the denial of human dignity, he said.
“When we see that what is most valuable is being ignored, we all need to speak up and say something. Speaking truth in this way is not popular, and some people just don’t like us because we do it, but we’re not here just to make people like us,” Cardinal Cupich said.
People must have courage to call out injustice when they see it, he said.
“Pope Leo makes clear that when we don’t recognize the humanity of our brothers and sisters, no matter their race, their culture, their creed, their background, their sex, their socioeconomic status, peace becomes impossible,” he said. “Denying our shared dignity, the foundation of peaceful interactions, marginalizes people and creates injustice.”
Dehumanization is the root of war, he said.
“Let us believe as believers, as people of the book, and continue to speak up for those who have no voice. As people of faith, let us continue to respect the human dignity of others. This witness, when done consistently and together and humbly, can really make a difference in our world,” Cardinal Cupich said.
Offering remarks on behalf of the Muslim community, Dr. Abdulghany Hamadeh, chair of the Council of Islamic Relations of Greater Chicago, told the gathering that their presence stands for the recognition of human dignity for all people.
“Ramadan is the month of fasting, but fasting is not merely a discipline of the body,” Hamadeh said. “It is a refinement of the soul that teaches restraint, awakens empathy and reminds us that every human being carries a divine imprint.”
Both the Quran and Catholic teaching says that God honors all people, he said.
“We may speak different theological languages, but we stand on common moral ground,” Hamadeh said. “We know that human dignity is being tested in our time.”
He cited immigration enforcement efforts in this country and abroad as a threat to human dignity.
“We call on leaders everywhere to pursue paths, protect innocent life and uphold the dignity of all people,” Hamadeh said.
The iftar included a presentation on the Sisters of Abraham group, a dialogue between women from St. Fabian Parish and the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview that began in 1998 and meets monthly to foster friendship and understanding.