Highlighting Halal

By Naperville Magazine
Appears in the August 2024 issue.

By Peter Gianopulos

Shafeek Abubaker, the president of the Illinois Muslim Chamber of Commerce, promises that the event he’s staging August 5 at Naperville’s Frontier Park will be unlike any other food festival you’ll visit this summer. Rather than offering the typical pizzas and burgers, the chamber’s 2024 Halal Fest will feature foods, skewers, and beverages from a rich cross-section of the Islamic world.

Ever considered, for instance, sampling Uzbekistani or Kyrgyzstani cooking? Or sipping milky Yemeni-style teas brewed with cinnamon and cardamom? Or enjoying halal-style brisket and tacos?

The chamber launched the festival last year to encourage diverse Muslim communities to showcase their artistry, culture, and culinary talents. The word “halal” refers to food deemed permissible under Islamic law. However, increasing numbers of non-Muslims are adopting a halal diet due its focus on whole foods and the humane treatment of animals prior
to slaughter.

This year, Abubaker and the council plan on welcoming 25 different chefs, many of whom operate their own restaurants. You can sample Mediterranean fare from A Thousand Tales in Mount Prospect, Turkish and central Asian dishes from Jannat Restaurant in Rolling Meadows, and Pakistani and Indian treats from the Kabob King Grill in Chicago.

“Food is the best instrument for introducing people to new cultures and experiences,” Abubaker says. “We look at the festival as an opportunity to do that on a large and welcoming scale.” Admission is by advance registration only, $5 for ages 5 and up. For tickets, visit, ilmchamber.org.

Photo: Halal Fest