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Islamic Center of Greater Toledo
Society and Mosque in Toledo, Ohio From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Islamic Center of Greater Toledo is an organization in the Toledo metropolitan area.
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History
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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]
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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
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