BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (AP) _ Gov. Pat Quinn is calling for respect and tolerance of religious differences as Muslims mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Quinn spoke at a Muslim prayer service in Bridgeview on Sunday.
He says he honors Muslims' commitment to their faith and will ``vigorously protect'' the right of Illinois' more than 400,000 Muslims to practice it.
He renounced recent incidences of violence and intimidation based on religion.
The governor also signed a new law to protect college students who miss a class or exam because they're observing a religious holiday. It takes effect Jan. 1.
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Ramadan is considered the holiest month of the year in the Islamic faith, and Muslims fast each day from sunrise to sunset.
The month ends with a three-day festival known as Eid (EED).
Copyright AP - Associated Press
