On March 30, I was invited to and attended the Muslim holiday celebration of Eid al-Fitr at the Islamic Society of Northwest Ohio. The theme of Imam Farooq Aboelzahab’s message at the annual prayer service was belonging, compassion, and community. When invited to address the room, I thanked the organization for its leadership in our local community and shared how I was proud to help pass Council’s cease-fire resolution just over a year ago.
Let me be clear: I am proud of the work of Toledo City Council in February, 2024. We worked with both the Muslim and Jewish communities right here in Toledo to bring forward a symbolic and meaningful resolution that represented the concerns for peace of many vocal Toledoans: “Resolution Denouncing Rising Hate and Discrimination in Toledo and Calling for a Peaceful Resolution in Palestine and Israel.” We worked with our friends and neighbors on multiple drafts before the final resolution was brought to the floor. Nine Council Members were present, and each of them voted in favor of the Resolution. This was a team effort on behalf of the residents of Toledo, and there were important reasons to pass it.
For months prior to it being brought to the Council floor, our members received hundreds of emails, phone calls, letters, and requests for meetings regarding the cease-fire resolution. This was not unique to Toledo, as there were over 100 cities that passed resolutions calling for a cease-fire by mid-March last year. Our fellow Ohio cities Akron, Athens, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Yellow Springs, and others passed various resolutions in support of such a cease-fire in 2023 or 2024. This resolution was an expression of the values I believe the majority of Toledoans support. Those values include community, compassion, and belonging. Put another way, love thy neighbor.
I don’t pretend to be, nor had I ever held myself out as, an expert on Mideast politics or history. I’m just a Midwest girl with a public school education, after all. But what I value is taking both concrete and even symbolic steps to try to help Toledo be a city in which diverse communities are welcome and can thrive together free from hate and intolerance.
I am so fortunate for the love and wisdom of my Jewish sister-in-law, who suggested I read the poetry of Grace Paley, a Jewish author and political activist. In an interview, Paley once said, “I think that there is something that is essential to survival in any human community, and that is hope ... and hope, I think, is the product of human will and human connection.”
I stand by the language passed by Council in 2024 supporting a cease-fire and the release of all hostages. Frankly, I find it unfair and entirely inappropriate for the Blade Editorial Board in its April 3 editorial to take my presence and brief remarks at a beautiful, thoughtfully hosted religious celebration and twist it into a harmful message of hate and misguided judgment.
My friend, Dr. Adam Smidi, recently shared with me the following quote.
It speaks to the essence of a compassionate, united community:
“The believers, in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion, are like one body: when one limb aches, the whole body responds with sleeplessness and fever.”
In times like these, the wisdom of the above and the prayers for peace of millions, including many Toledoans, transcend faith and speak to our shared humanity. Regardless of politics, blame, or borders, how can we not feel unwell when lives are being lost in such staggering numbers? How can any of us remain indifferent while so many suffer? If we are truly one human body, then pain anywhere should move us all. And it should move us to action, to empathy, and above all, to a yearning for peace, especially in our own community.
Carrie Hartman is Toledo City Council president.
First Published April 12, 2025, 4:00 a.m.
