Information about this center is no longer updated. This data was last updated on 11 November 2013.

Phone: 419-874-3509
Email: a.shaheen@icgt.org
Website: http://www.icgt.org/
[flickr_set id="72157621942932966"] Research conducted by affiliates at Kent State University led by Dr. David W. Odell-Scott and Dr. Surinder M. Bhardwaj in 1999.

Activities and Schedule

Maghrib takes place Monday through Sunday. On Friday, Jumah takes place as well as Maghrib and Sunday there is also a Noon Service. The festival Eid al-Fitr is celebrated and draws in 2,000 participants, predominantly Arab-Arabic and Eid al-Adha is also celebrated with about 1500 participants, predominantly Pakistani and Indian - Udru. Other activities include women's meetings, youth meetings, and weekend school. There is a youth program with children's classes on Sundays. A newsletter called the Monitor is published.

History

In 1954, the first Islamic Center in Toledo was built near downtown, on East Bancroft Street. With the influx of new immigrants, the Toledo members built the new center in Perrysburg. Starting in 1978, 48 acres of land were purchased at the junction of Interstate 475 and Interstate 75. Construction of the center began in 1982 and the building was completed in 1983. Expansion of the building in 1991 accommodated a weekend school and social hall.

Demographics

Many families worship at this mosque, many originally from Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, and India. Among the Lebanese and Syrians families Arabic is commonly spoken, but between groups English is prevalent. Children are encouraged to worship and attend the classes which are held in one of the 10 classrooms for the children, situated on the first floor.

Description of the Center

The Center was designed by the noted Turkish architect, the late Talat Itil of Toledo. It was built according to the classic Islamic architecture and is the only building of its kind in North America. It covers an area of 2/3 acre and is built with white bricks, reinforced steel and poured concrete and has a covered area of 40,000 square feet. Two 135 feet tall majestic minarets flank the building which is crowned by a huge dome of steel mesh, styrofoam molding and poured concrete. The two story structure has 42 rooms including an octagonal carpeted prayer area under a dome. There are 10 full size classrooms in the basement, in addition to a large kitchen and fellowship hall for dining and informal gatherings. The first floor contains a spacious library, ten additional classrooms, a suite of offices, and medical clinic. The mosque is visible from I-475 and is surrounded by cornfields. The mosque is very accessible to the Muslim community of the Toledo area. Arabic and Urdu language classes are offered to about 300 students. The mosque provides guided tours.