The holy month of Ramadan, observed by Muslims, will end at sundown Tuesday. Eid al-Fitr, the holiday celebrating Ramadan’s conclusion, will be observed Wednesday with a unified Eid prayer.
Muslims from all Islamic institutions are invited to a 9 a.m. Takbir call to prayer, followed by 10 a.m. prayers at the SeaGate Convention Centre, 401 Jefferson Ave. Eidville, an entertainment program with games and rides, will be included in the celebration. Admission is free, but donations are requested.
The Islamic Center of Greater Toledo will continue its 30-year tradition of 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. prayers, followed by breakfast and children’s entertainment at the mosque, 25877 Scheider Rd., Perrysburg. The event is open to all.
Ramadan is intended to be a time of daylight fasting and prayerful examination, looking to one of the five pillars of that faith. But Islamic people, once again, had to deal with terror and killing purportedly done in their name.
I wish the discomfort of Islamic people during Ramadan was only hunger because of the extended daytime of the summer solstice. I’d like for American Muslims to look forward to the fireworks of Independence Day, the day before Ramadan ends this year, without being reminded of bombings. Instead, the state of the nation and the world has interrupted their sacred observance. Acts of terror that most Muslims reject were in the headlines. Such violence is seemingly committed by people more interested in politics and power than in religious practice.
During this holy month, 49 people and a gunman, an American who identified himself as Muslim, died at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., when on June 12 that shooter, armed with an assault rifle and a pistol, opened fire. The shooter was killed by police.
The club, Pulse, is a bar that some have called a sanctuary for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people, a safe place for self-expression and community. On the night of the shooting, Pulse was celebrating “Latin Night.”
Alana Jochum, the executive director of Equality Ohio, said in an email, “I know that the only thing that will conquer hate is love. Stand together with me in solidarity, in resolve, in conscientious demand of our inalienable rights of life, liberty, the hope of happiness.”
Dr. Jihad Abbas, one of the organizers of the Ahlul Bayt Center, Toledo’s newest mosque, denounced the Orlando shooting, stating in an email, “The terrorist act, whether it’s organized or a personal act, is strongly condemned by us, the Muslim Shia sect. This is completely forbidden and detested in our belief and teachings against any human, whether we agree with their beliefs or not, whether we agree with their lifestyle or not.”
The Ahlul Bayt Center also had a statement, which included this paragraph: “We pray for the victims and their family and friends, may they one day find peace after such a horrendous crime. We pray that we may soon emerge from these dark days. We pray for justice to prevail. We must all work together to prevent these heinous crimes and find ways to bring relief and support to those in need.”
The United Muslim Association of Toledo sent a news release stating, “We stand together with the family and friends of the victims and pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured.”
The mosque in Perrysburg issued a response, as well: “The Islamic Center of Greater Toledo strongly condemns the despicable attack on innocent civilians in Orlando. This type of crime committed by a deranged individual has no place in our faith and our society. We, as Muslim Americans, offer our prayers and condolences to the families and friends of the victims.”
A vigil for the Orlando victims was held at One Government Center on June 14, with Toledo-area Muslims, members of the LGBT community, and Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson standing together.
It is almost as if the faithful cannot return to their prayers and fasting before more loss of life, using Mohammed’s name, happens. And, once again, Muslims explain the peacefulness of Islam and have to address such terms as “radicalization,” “extremist,” and “Islamist.”
They explain that acts by the Islamic State, Boko Haram, and other warring groups misinterpret scripture, and sometimes violate commandments completely. Abuse of women and graphic executions do not illustrate religious submission according to Islam.
On Tuesday, three suicide bombers committed a terrorist attack at Istanbul’s airport, and 44 people died.
Add to Orlando and Istanbul hundreds of deaths in military-related conflicts in Iraq and Syria during Ramadan, and other killings around the world.
Terrorism does not stop for religious observance. The faithful are not part of the terror. Muslims in America have great support from many neighbors during the national holiday of independence.
May the faith and love of peaceful Islam be rewarded and, one day, this multifaith world be at peace.
Contact TK Barger @ tkbarger@theblade.com, 419-724-6278 or on Twitter @TK_Barger.
First Published July 2, 2016, 4:00 a.m.
