| Islamic Center of Greater Toledo | |
|---|---|
 The Islamic Center of Greater Toledo in 2007 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Region | Toledo metropolitan area |
| Festivals | International Festival |
| Location | |
| Location | 25877 Scheider Rd |
| Municipality | Perrysburg |
| State | Ohio |
| Country | United States |
  Shown within Ohio | |
| Geographic coordinates | 41°31′41″N 83°37′05″W / 41.528°N 83.618°W / 41.528; -83.618 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Talat Itil |
| Style | classic Islamic architecture |
| 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.
The society built their first mosque in Toledo, Ohio with construction starting in 1952 and ending in 1954. with this Mosque being the first in Ohio, and the third in the United States of America.
Toledo hosted the second International Moslem Convention of the Islamic Society of North America due to an invitation by the Islamic Society of Toledo.
The land for the current mosque in Perrysburg, Ohio was purchased in 1978. Astronomers from the University of Toledo were consulted to ensure the building was properly oriented to Mecca. Groundbreaking occurred in 1980, with construction lasting from September 1982 to 1983. On October 23, 1983, the official opening of the current Islamic center was held. At the time of opening it was called the largest traditional style Mosque in North America by the New York Times.
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. 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.
The aging polystyrene and concrete dome was replaced with newer gold plated aluminum geodesic dome in 2004.
In 2012 the mosque was attacked at night by an arsonist, with the fire being extinguished by the fire sprinkler system of the building.
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the center was lit blue to show support for health professionals.
Architecture
The Mosque has featured a gold plated aluminum geodesic dome which measures is 65 feet (20 m), with a height of 30 feet (9.1 m). The dome is located between twin 135 feet (41 m) tall minarets. The mosque is noted for its use of stained glass.
Services
The campus houses a private school, the Islamic School of Greater Toledo. The center also operates a food bank.
The center hosts an annual International Festival.
References
- "Islamic Center of Greater Toledo". 1980. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- ^ "A Growing Community: Building the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo". digitalgallery.bgsu.edu. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- ^ "Early Years: The Mosque at E. Bancroft Street". digitalgallery.bgsu.edu. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- ^ "Islamic Center of Greater Toledo". hwpi.harvard.edu. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- ^ "Beyond the Center: Muslims in Toledo's Cultural and Economic Life". digitalgallery.bgsu.edu. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- ^ "MOSLEMS MAKING THEIR MARK IN OHIO". The New York Times. 25 November 1984. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- Barger, TK (June 4, 2016). "Islam shares long tradition in Toledo area". The Blade. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- Geftos, Tony. "Confronting anti-Muslim hatred post-9/11". www.13abc.com. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- ^ Yonke, David (November 17, 2004). "Golden dome takes its place atop mosque". The Blade. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- 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.
- "Indiana Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Religiously Motivated Attack On Toledo-Area Mosque". www.justice.gov. March 12, 2015 . Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- "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.
- 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.
- "Islamic School · Understanding Immigration: Global and Local Perspectives (BGSU 1910) · Student Digital Gallery · BGSU Libraries". digitalgallery.bgsu.edu. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- 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.
