Women in major world religions like Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, and Buddhism do not hold official authority to lead religious practices in their places of worship. For this reason, the acknowledgement of their informal responsibilities and contributions to society has also been largely ignored. Even though women do not hold leadership positions in most faiths, their… Read more »
Tag: Midwest
A Wayfarer in Ramadan: Experiencing the Blessed Month While Fostering Relationships with the Creator, Community, and Oneself by Mayesha Awal
Hugs and chatter with friends I have not seen in months. Greetings and introductions to those I have not met before. Hearing the adhan[1] in-person in the masjid[2]. Grabbing a medjool date and savoring the pillowy, chewy, and cake-like texture after a long day’s fast. I have been able to experience Ramadan alhamdulillah[3] in different… Read more »
The Change of the Indiana Muslim Community: Experiences of a Bangladeshi Immigrant Woman by Mayesha Awal
My mother, Shamima, is a Muslim Bangladeshi immigrant who came to the United States in 1996. She came to the United States after she got married to my father who already resided in Indiana. I asked my mother about her experiences when she first arrived in the US, especially as a Muslim: “It was hard… Read more »
Introduction to the Muslim Task Force (MTF) by Mayesha Awal
Muslim Task Force (MTF) of Indiana When I was an undergraduate student, I returned back home to Indianapolis and moved in with my mother. On April 16th, 2020, as I was scrolling through my email, I saw a call for volunteers. I had some free time in my schedule, as I was no longer able… Read more »
“A GEM FOR THE COMMUNITY”, THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF GREATER TOLEDO (ICGT)
“A GEM FOR THE COMMUNITY”, THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF GREATER TOLEDO** “A gem for the community” was how Bill Hilt, a local teacher from Perrysburg City Schools described the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo (ICGT) during a pre-pandemic visit to their annual “International Festival” that has been running for almost 2 decades now. At this… Read more »
FIRST GENERATION MOSQUE PRESIDENT?
FIRST GENERATION MOSQUE PRESIDENT? We often hear the term “first generation” used in contexts such as the first-generation college graduate, first-generation American, or first-generation immigrant, etc. However, at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo (ICGT), this term is used to define their former young female president Dr. Nadia Ashraf-Moghal, an emergency medicine doctor at Wood… Read more »
“To live your life, you have to be a part of the community”: A Conversation with Dr. Abdel-Wahab Soliman
The Islamic Center of Greater Toledo (ICGT) is an integral part of the local northwest Ohio community. This religious institution does not want to be a space only for Muslims or only for religious worship. Instead, it sees itself as an institution that can bring together people from different backgrounds in a spirit of tolerance,… Read more »
“The mosque is not for prayer alone”: A Conversation with Dr. Fatima Al-Hayani
Step inside the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo (ICGT), and it’s clear that this is an active community space, not just a place for prayer services. This is especially true during the annual International Festival, when the mosque invites members of the public, both Muslim and non-Muslim, to come together around delicious food and carnival… Read more »
Photoessay: Finding Community at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo
Islamophobia in the United States rests on a number of negative assumptions about Islam and Muslims. Many Americans consider Islam to be a foreign religion that is incompatible with Western values. Politicians and media commentators commonly describe American Muslims with suspicion, associating them with terrorism, violence, and isolation from the wider American community. These stereotypes… Read more »