(CLEVELAND, OHIO, 4/13/2023) – Representatives of the Cleveland Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, recently attended the “Ramadan Kareem” Iftar Dinner in Toledo, Ohio. Ramadan, which began on March 23, is the Islamic holy month of self-discipline, charity, fasting, and spiritual renewal. Muslims end their daily fast after sunset with a meal known as iftar.
The Ramadan iftar, which was co-sponsored by the United Muslim Association of Toledo (UMAT) and Toledo intergovernmental agencies, was held at One Government Center in downtown Toledo. Co-hosts included the City of Toledo Community Relations Commission along with Welcome TLC (Toledo/Lucas County).
Dr. Nadeem Khan, UMAT Secretary, emceed the event. Speakers included Dr. Samina Z. Hasan who shared highlights of the many collaborative initiatives and community service projects that UMAT has worked on since its founding in 1996. Dr. Syed Maseehur Rehman, President of UMAT, described the patriotism and contributions of Toledo’s Muslim community from all walks of life.
Participants included city and county officials as well as members of the Ohio legislature and judiciary. The Mayor of Toledo, Wade Kapszukiewicz, presented an official proclamation to UMAT on behalf of the City of Toledo. In his remarks, the mayor decried the politics of fear and division sweeping the nation in contrast to Toledo’s remarkable history of embracing diversity and celebrating different cultures even in the darkest times. He pointed to the Depression era period between the two world wars, when, in 1931, Toledo, Ohio joined with the City of Toledo in Spain as sister cities, becoming the first American city to have a sister city. The Mayor said the City of Toledo will continue to carry forth its vision of being a welcoming city that focusses on making friends with the world.
The President of the Board of County Commissions, Pete Gerken, commended UMAT for their spirit of civic engagement and for helping to make the region a great place to live. Lucas County Commissioners Tina Wozniak and Lisa Sobecki warmly welcomed the assembled audience of more than 250 guests and spoke of how much they had learned from their friendships with the Muslim community. The event was rounded out by a spiritual message from Imam Farooq Abouelzahab on the essence of Ramadan as being a time to struggle for victory over selfishness and greed in order to manifest humaneness and compassion.
“It was an honor to attend the Ramadan Kareem Iftar with the Muslim and interfaith communities in Toledo,” said Faten Odeh, CAIR-Ohio Cleveland Chapter Interim Executive Director. “As the new CAIR executive director for our Cleveland and Northern Ohio region, it was great to learn about the amazing strides the Toledo Muslim community has made over their long and rich history in the region.”
To learn more about the City of Toledo Iftar, click here.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland Chapter Executive Director Faten Odeh, 216.830.2247, fodeh@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202.744.7726, ihooper@cair.com.