Islamic Center of Greater Toledo

Islamic Center of Greater Toledo
The Islamic Center of Greater Toledo in 2007
Religion
AffiliationIslam
RegionToledo metropolitan area
FestivalsInternational Festival
Location
Location25877 Scheider Rd[1]
MunicipalityPerrysburg
StateOhio
CountryUnited States
Islamic Center of Greater Toledo is located in Ohio
Islamic Center of Greater Toledo
Shown within Ohio
Geographic coordinates41°31′41″N 83°37′05″W / 41.528°N 83.618°W / 41.528; -83.618
Architecture
Architect(s)Talat Itil[2]
Styleclassic Islamic architecture[2]
Website
https://icgt.org/

The Islamic Center of Greater Toledo is an organization in the Toledo metropolitan area.

History

Established in 1938 the Syrian American Moslem Society served as a predecessor to the current organization.[3]

The society built their first mosque in Toledo, Ohio with construction starting in 1952 and ending in 1954.[3] with this Mosque being the first in Ohio, and the third in the United States of America.[4][3]

Toledo hosted the second International Moslem Convention of the Islamic Society of North America due to an invitation by the Islamic Society of Toledo.[5]

The land for the current mosque in Perrysburg, Ohio was purchased in 1978.[4] Astronomers from the University of Toledo were consulted to ensure the building was properly oriented to Mecca.[6] Groundbreaking occurred in 1980, with construction lasting from September 1982 to 1983.[2] On October 23, 1983, the official opening of the current Islamic center was held.[2] At the time of opening it was called the largest traditional style Mosque in North America by the New York Times.[6]

In 2001 the center appointed their first female president, who within the United States of America was also the first female president for Islamic center.[7] Following the September 11 attacks the Mosque was shot at, leading to the local community forming a human protective wall around the Mosque, as well as local churches offering escorts to help make Muslims feel safe when out and about.[8]

The aging polystyrene and concrete dome[6] was replaced with newer gold plated aluminum geodesic dome in 2004.[9]

In 2012 the mosque was attacked at night by an arsonist, with the fire being extinguished by the fire sprinkler system of the building.[10][11]

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the center was lit blue to show support for health professionals.[12]

Architecture

The Mosque has featured a gold plated aluminum geodesic dome which measures is 65 feet (20 m),[2] with a height of 30 feet (9.1 m).[9] The dome is located between twin 135 feet (41 m) tall minarets.[4] The mosque is noted for its use of stained glass.[13]

Services

The campus houses a private school, the Islamic School of Greater Toledo.[14] The center also operates a food bank.[5]

The center hosts an annual International Festival.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Islamic Center of Greater Toledo". 1980. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e "A Growing Community: Building the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo". digitalgallery.bgsu.edu. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Early Years: The Mosque at E. Bancroft Street". digitalgallery.bgsu.edu. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Islamic Center of Greater Toledo". hwpi.harvard.edu. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Beyond the Center: Muslims in Toledo's Cultural and Economic Life". digitalgallery.bgsu.edu. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  6. ^ a b c "MOSLEMS MAKING THEIR MARK IN OHIO". The New York Times. 25 November 1984. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  7. ^ Barger, TK (June 4, 2016). "Islam shares long tradition in Toledo area". The Blade. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  8. ^ Geftos, Tony. "Confronting anti-Muslim hatred post-9/11". www.13abc.com. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  9. ^ a b Yonke, David (November 17, 2004). "Golden dome takes its place atop mosque". The Blade. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  10. ^ Galbincea, Pat (6 October 2012). "Feds charge Indiana man with hate crimes for attempt to burn down Toledo-area mosque". cleveland.com. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  11. ^ "Indiana Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Religiously Motivated Attack On Toledo-Area Mosque". www.justice.gov. March 12, 2015 [April 16, 2013]. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  12. ^ "The Islamic Center of Greater Toledo lit blue to show support to healthcare workers and first responders". wtol.com. April 15, 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  13. ^ Mol, Kayla (August 5, 2021). "Islamic Center of Greater Toledo recognized as one of North America's most "stunning" mosques". 13abc.com. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  14. ^ "Islamic School · Understanding Immigration: Global and Local Perspectives (BGSU 1910) · Student Digital Gallery · BGSU Libraries". digitalgallery.bgsu.edu. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  15. ^ Whiteside, Bri'On (September 17, 2021). "Around the world: Islamic Center's 20th annual International Festival celebrates food, culture". The Blade. Retrieved 19 August 2022.