08/11/2026
SWIFT Interfaith Picnic — Sunday, August 9, 2026
A Thundering Success!
What an adventure it turned out to be. You’d think dark gray skies, muggy weather, and the threat of thunderstorms would keep people away — but absolutely not. Our Annual Interfaith Picnic drew a remarkable crowd, and everyone, young and old, enjoyed a truly memorable afternoon.
Great friendship, great fun, and great food. We were blown away (thankfully not literally) by the joy, laughter, and camaraderie shared among our Muslim, Christian, and Jewish guests. The warmth of the gathering far outshone the weather!
By the time all our invited guests had arrived and begun enjoying the food, the uninvited guests showed up — heavy clouds, cold gusts of wind, and then a full symphony of rain, thunder, and lightning. Yes, some of the food got damp, but spirits did not! Not even for a moment. If anything, the rainstorm made this one of our most unforgettable picnics — unique, lively, and full of heart.
With all praise and thanks to Allah for granting us this wonderful opportunity to gather, connect, and celebrate both new and long‑standing friendships!
Shout‑outs and heartfelt thanks to:
* SWIFT for organizing the picnic, and to its board members and volunteers for setup and cleanup.
* Pastor Kirk Moore, Linnea Rimkus, and the Peace Memorial United Church of Christ of Palos team for graciously hosting.
* Mohammed Nofal and Khaled Al‑Dissi from the Orland Park Prayer Center Mosque for grilling hamburgers and hotdogs for four straight hours — even through the downpour.
* American Islamic Association, Frankfort, for bringing more than 60 guests and energizing the gathering — nearly half the crowd.
* Pastor Hunter Farrow, Carrie Scott, and their team from the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Palos Park — renewed members of SWIFT — for joining us and strengthening our interfaith bonds.
AIA is co-founder and active member of the South West Interfaith Team (SWIFT).
May Allah bless SWIFT and its mission!
