The celebration of Eid al-Fitr at the Islamic Society of Northwest Ohio is like the United Nations General Assembly with prayer and food.
“At least 25 nationalities are represented here, and it’s our faith that unites us,” said Dr. Maseeh Rehman, president of the United Muslim Association of Toledo. “My connection to you is not horizontal — it’s vertical, through God.”
The holiday, which marks the end of fasting during the month of Ramadan, is a festival of forgiveness, love, thanksgiving, rejoicing, and eating. At least 400 people crowded into the premises on South McCord Road to partake of that connectedness. There was a sermon, call and response from those in attendance, and prayer.
Several members of the Islamic Society stressed the mosque’s message of welcome.
Humzeh Aftab, a Toledo native who now lives in Arlington, Va., has been coming to the mosque since it opened.
“This place is open to all people,” he said.
Dr. S. Zaheer Hasan, a neurologist who works at ProMedica and a native of Pakistan, is a founding member of the mosque and its public relations chairman. He said that the Islamic Society is characterized by openness, respect for all people, and acceptance of people however they are.
“We don’t ask questions about who you are and why you’re here,” he said. “We welcome everybody: Christians, Hindus, Jews. And we don’t discriminate on gender.”
The facility is the newest mosque in Toledo.
“There’s no difference in a real sense between us and the other mosques in town,” Dr. Rehman said, “but our location is closer to many of the Muslims who live in Toledo.”
Another Toledo native, Farah Ali, was in attendance with her two young daughters. She’s been coming to the mosque for six years.
“This feels like home,” she said. “It’s kid-friendly. And the imam is so nice. When he talks, you can really connect with him.”
When the services were complete, she departed to go home to cook up some sheer khurma, a sweet dessert made with dates, milk, nuts, and charoli seeds.
Toledo City Council President Carrie Hartman, who was honored for leading the council to adopt a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, spoke to the throng.
“Toledo is the best city to live in,” she said. “I chose it because it was so welcoming. Things feel very volatile now, not only in the Middle East, but here, too. Some people want to get rid of other people, to deport them,” she lamented, “but we value inclusivity.”
Imam Farooq Aboelzahab delivered a message that addressed both the personal qualities that should be nurtured and the violence and suffering in the wider world.
“What happened in Gaza could happen to anyone in the world,” he said. “Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. If we can’t stand up against injustice, we are not living up to our obligations. But we’ll never change what’s going on in Gaza or Kashmir or other places until we change ourselves. Make sure your heart is full of roses and beautiful flowers. That is when you will have faith.”
His message was well-received, attendees said.
Mohammad Parvez Khan, a native of Uttar Pradesh, India, who now lives in Waterville and works as an assistant professor of research at the University of Toledo Medical Center, thought that the imam’s call to help mankind was very clear.
“We should think of good things to clean our souls,” he said.
The situation in Gaza was frequently referenced by both the leaders and the mosque community members. The invitation to the services cautioned that “[i]n respect of the victims of the ongoing Palestinian genocide, festivities will be limited.”
“It’s a very sad year,” Dr. Hasan said. “50,000 innocent people have been killed. And we are sad about the position of our country. Its indifference to Palestine is very discouraging.”
But if the celebration of Eid was somehow muted this year, not everyone noted it.
“For me personally, Eid is not different this year,” said Jurry Taalib-Deen, a native Toledoan who grew up Christian, attended St. Francis de Sales High School, and converted to Islam. “But I am more aware. The situation invigorates me to take action. The war reminds me to talk to people more now.
“As Muslims, we spread peace and speak up for the truth. It’s important that we look within. The Prophet was persecuted, but he was constantly trying to forgive his people. You can’t change your environment, but you can change yourself and rely on God.”
First Published March 30, 2025, 7:37 p.m.
