Muslims in Cleveland

2021

Muslim and Iranian American Olympic Medalist Matt Ghafarri

He spoke at the Rotary Club of Cleveland on May 6, 2021 and was asked if he endured any prejudice after 9-11 because of his Muslim and Iranian heritage. He said it began before then. He got hassles during the Iranian Hostage crisis which went from November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981.

Matt told a funny story about a coach changing his name and other ways he dealt with the prejudice from that event as well as 9-11.

2015

Booth at Glenville Festival August 8, 2015

2014

Asian Heritage Day Celebration

Over 60 Asian community groups and organizations participated. Chia-Min Chen called them up to the stage one at a time and each gave an elevator speech explaining their organization.

This included the Muslim Association of Cleveland East

The mission of Muslim Association of Cleveland East (MACE) is to serve the religious and spiritual needs of the Muslims living in eastern suburbs of Cleveland. They plan to use the MACE Community Center for the purposes of: Mosque Place of worship for Muslims, Sunday school for children and a place where we come together to share ideas to help build a stronger community and social interaction.

2013

Shukr – How Muslims celebrate giving thanks

Welcome to Shelbyville

Abby told some of her own story of being the only black family in a neighborhood. The film was shown at a Welcoming America reception at MetroHealth Hospital in Cleveland.

Islam Display at Culture Shock 2013

Mahmoud Muhieddinc from the Islamic Center

Imam Musa Sugapong, Teacher at the Darul-qasim School & Islamic Center of Cleveland, spoke about the opening chapter of the Koran and how Allah is a merciful God, dispelling the myth of a God of wrath.

Imam Musa Sugapong and Surayya Ahmed

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All Muslims observe Sunnah, but differences in the definition of what is and what is not Sunnah has led to the emergence of sectarian movements. The well-organised and cohesive community of Muslims who accept the Sunnah as defined within one of the traditional Maliki, Hanafi, Shafi or Hanbali madhabs are the classical Sunni Muslims. Those who fall outside of this fold are the Shia Muslims, though often thinking themselves to be Sunni Muslims.

Muslims believe that there is only one God, translated in Arabic as Allah. Muslims also believe that Islam existed long before Muhammad though it was not called Islam until the revelation of Surah al-Maeda. Muslims believe that this religion had evolved with time from the time of Adam until the time of Muhammad and was completed with the revelation of verse 3 of Surah al-Maeda:

This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.

The Qur'an describes many Biblical prophets and messengers as Muslim: Adam, Noah, Moses and Jesus and his apostles. The Qur'an states that these men were Muslims because they submitted to God, preached his message and upheld his values.

Julia Shearson of the Council of American Islamic Relations

The Kaaba, located in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) is the center of Islam. It is where Muslims from all over the world travel to and gather there to pray in unity.