Kraus says as long as he’s Solon mayor, Chagrin Valley Islamic Center ‘will never go away’

SOLON, Ohio – Supporters of the Chagrin Valley Islamic Center (CVIC) came out in full force at the City Council meeting Monday (Oct. 21) in response to an online petition that was posted against the CVIC in late September.

A standing-room crowd of about 100 people packed the council chambers, and 19 people – including many religious leaders – spoke to council in support of the CVIC.

Many in the crowd more badges that read, “CVIC United for Peace.”

The petition was originally posted by Mark Liner, a former Solon resident and 2019 Solon High School graduate who is serving as a member of the Israel Defense Forces.

The petition demands that city leaders “condemn the antisemitism being openly harbored and promoted” by the CVIC and to have the CVIC cease operations in the city.

Liner, who lives in Tel Aviv, Israel, was also a co-organizer of a pro-Israel rally in Solon in September.

The CVIC, which opened the city’s first mosque on Liberty Road in 2021, claims that the mosque has promoted peace throughout the conflict between Hamas and Israel.

The petition has been taken down by change.org, the site where it had originally been posted.

In early October, Mayor Ed Kraus issued a statement against the petition that was posted on the city’s website but has since been removed.

“An attack on one faith is an attack on all,” Kraus said in his statement.

“As the proud Jewish mayor of this city, I am deeply troubled by a recent petition that casts a negative light on the Chagrin Valley Islamic Center. The CVIC has been a wonderful addition to the rich tapestry of faiths that make up our community.”

On Monday, Kraus reaffirmed his support of the CVIC and drew applause from the crowd when he said, “As long as I’m mayor, the Chagrin Valley Islamic Center will never go away.”

“That’s not just me speaking as mayor; that’s what my faith has taught me,” he added.

In anticipation of the speakers, Vice Mayor and Ward 5 Councilwoman Nancy Meany read this statement at the start of the meeting on behalf of council and the city’s administration:

“Solon is a diverse, international city, home to people of many nationalities and faiths, including vibrant Jewish and Muslim communities.

“The City Council represents all of our residents and stands firmly against all forms of hate. Everyone, regardless of gender, nationality or religion, has the right to live, learn, work and worship without fear of harassment, intimidation or violence.

“Empathy is one of the core values that strengthens our community. It enables us to engage in meaningful dialogue and confront challenging realities by recognizing the humanity in each of us.

“We remain committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive city that values and respects every individual.”

‘An integral part of the Solon area’

The first speaker was Masroor Malik, director of finance for the CVIC and a member of its executive board.

“We are here tonight with a clear purpose: to showcase the incredible work the Chagrin Valley Islamic Center has been doing for decades to better our community,” said Malik, a Solon resident.

“The CVIC has been an integral part of the Solon area, not just as a place of worship, but a driving force of unity, social justice, interfaith bridge building and community service.

“For years, the Islamic center has been committed to improving the lives of all people in our community, regardless of faith, background or nationality. Our contributions have strengthened the social fabric of Solon and beyond (with) acts of service, education and interfaith collaboration.”

Malik went on to say, “Time and time again, the center has stepped forward to lead the effort of equality, fairness and human dignity,” and offered several examples.

He added that “the CVIC has stood with our Jewish brothers and sisters in times of tragedy and sorrow.”

Malik said the CVIC has been an active member of Solon Alliance for Interfaith Leaders (SAIL) and has partnered with other faith-based congregations to form the Interfaith Group Against Hate (IGAH).

“What truly exemplifies Chagrin Valley Islamic Center is its longstanding commitment to interfaith building,” he said.
“For years, we actively fostered the conversation between different traditions, recognizing that diversity and inclusion is our strength that needs to be celebrated.”

CVIC officers criticize council

Two other CVIC officers also spoke: Syed Ashraf, chair of the CVIC Board of Trustees, and Yasser Armanazi, president of the CVIC.

Both were critical of council for failing to defend the CVIC after the mosque was denounced by two speakers at council’s previous meeting Oct. 7.

“I’m here to speak against the vicious misinformation campaign that has been unleashed against CVIC,” Ashraf said.

“I’m here to speak to Solon City Council and our mayor as to what we feel was unfair treatment of CVIC at its previous meeting.

“Two weeks back, what we heard in this room about CVIC has troubled us,” he continued. “While we felt encouraged by what Councilman Jeremy Zelwin stated, what was presented about CVIC was false, and we felt encouraged that day by how Vice Mayor Nancy Meany spoke about inclusion.

“Still, we in the CVIC community have felt that we were hung out to dry.”

Ashraf said the “misinformation campaign” against CVIC is “simply an effort to incite hate, to instigate and to disrupt the peaceful fabric of this community.”

“Unfortunately, some of our neighbors and friends are falling for this effort to divide us,” he said.

Ashraf said the CVIC feels “a statement of support from this august body (council) in our defense would really help heal.”

“Words matter,” he said. “Actions matter.

“We feel going forward that any hurtful threats and defamatory accusations that come up need to be treated as such.

“Our doors at CVIC are open to all. We welcome you. Let us address our common problems together and be the wonderful community that is Solon.”

Armanazi said, “I’m here to say to all the council members, including our dear mayor that has been with us on many occasions on prayers, the comments that were handed down in your last meeting were really worrisome for me and our community members.”

“There was some major misinformation that was put on the podium last meeting,” he said.

Armanazi said some women who are CVIC members have told him they are afraid to send their children to the mosque for worship services because “we just became an open target.”

“Your words as leaders of our city speak loud,” he said. “All of you have been to our prayer place; you know who we are

“I don’t want you to take sides; neither do I want to take sides. I’m here just to tell the council and our mayor, what happened last meeting was not right, although we do thank you for your continued support.

“We’re here to stay, and we will be in the presence of peace and inclusion to all our brothers from any religion and any background.”

‘Friends of the Jewish community’

Rabbi Joshua Caruso, who serves Congregation Mishkan Or in Beachwood, a founding member of the IGAH, said he has known members of the CVIC for more than 10 years, including Malik and his wife, Simee Malik, another founder and leader of the CVIC.

“For as long as I have known them, they have been friends of the Jewish community in Cleveland,” Caruso said.

“After the deadly antisemitic attacks on the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh, Masroor and Simee reached out to express dismay and comfort,” he continued. “In solidarity, they joined our congregation for worship services the following Shabbat.”

Caruso also noted on a recent work trip to Poland, Masroor Malik “made it a priority to pay his respects at Auschwitz, the concentration camp at which one million Jews were exterminated.”

“Just weeks ago, Simee served on a panel on Yom Kippur at our temple’s social action forum to decry violence in any form, from any faith, including her own,” he said.

Caruso said since Oct. 7, 2023 – when Hamas attacked Israel and killed more than 1,200 people – the only Muslim community that has actively looked to continue to build a relationship with him and his congregation is the CVIC.

“It is a testament to the leadership of CVIC that they choose to be in a relationship with the mainstream Jewish community,” he said.

“Their vision is to contribute to a community that looks to tamp down hatred of every kind, including antisemitism.”

Caruso added, “That awful petition that was circulated a few weeks ago was created, make no mistake, to foment suspicion and hate towards the Muslim community in Solon.”

“It has succeeded in what the creator of the petition meant to do, which was to start creating suspicion,” he said. “The claims of antisemitism are reductive and simplistic.

“For any Jews who are wary about the CVIC, it is in our self-interest to support relationships with the good people of this community.

“We stand with our friends and leadership of the Chagrin Valley Islamic Center.”

Kate Anderson Foley, another founding member of the IGAH and a Lakewood resident, said Simee and Masroor Malik are her friends and colleagues.

“They are welcoming, caring and sincere in their quest for standing up against hate in all of its forms,” she said.

“So when I heard about the hate-filled rhetoric, calling for the closing of CVIC, I simply had to stand up and speak out in solidarity.

“As a Jew, I have encountered such hate, implicit bias and outward bigotry, so I know when there is an attack on one faith, it’s really an attack on all of our faiths.

“I, with IGAH, stand with my friendship and leadership with the Islamic center.”

Pastor supports mayor, council

The Rev. Thomas Dragga, pastor of Church of the Resurrection in Solon, said he believes the CVIC “contributes to the life of the community.”

“The thought of closing this space undermines the principles of religious freedom, mutual respect and the foundation of a healthy, pluralistic community,” he said.

“I’m supportive of Mayor Kraus and the members of our City Council in their efforts to provide fair and balanced representation for all the religious denominations that bless this city.”

Dragga said he stands with Ward 2 Councilman Robert Pelunis and his invitation “to create an opportunity for further listening, if that becomes necessary.”

At the Oct. 7 council meeting, Pelunis had said he’d be happy to meet and speak with anyone in attendance “to see what you feel the city could do better.”

“I’m willing to serve with you, councilman, as you host such an event, if the people choose to take you up on your offer to see what more the city can do for all of its residents,” Dragga told Pelunis.

“While the concerns of the Jewish community deserve attention, conflict resolution should aim for dialogue and collaboration, rather than exclusion,” he continued.

“By keeping the Islamic center open, we uphold the values of diversity and unity, allowing all faiths to co-exist, focused on what we share in common, rather than what divides us.

“To my sisters and brothers at the Chagrin Valley Islamic Center, I trust in your goodness, and I have seen that over and over in your generous outreach to the community.”

The Rev. Cindy Theobald, pastor of Solon United Methodist Church, said she has been “blessed and grateful” to meet with members of the CVIC.

In those interactions, she said she has experienced “kindness, support, care for the community and the concerns of the community.”

“CVIC members have shared in interfaith activities of SAIL,” she said. “They have participated in our Thanksgiving gatherings and celebrations where community connected across religious communities, and they have been part of community gatherings for concerns about issues of injustice, violence and making the community more peaceful.

“I am grateful for the Chagrin Valley mosque and its members. They’re here in Solon to be part of caring for the community, creating opportunities, justice, connection and family.”

Diane Bohlen, a Solon resident and faith formation director at Pioneer Memorial Presbyterian Church in Solon, said the CVIC has been involved with various interfaith meetings and events for many years.

“Time and time again, CVIC has partnered in peace with us for interfaith prayer services, and we are delighted to consider them friends,” she said.

“Not only has CVIC partnered with us at many interfaith events, but they have also joined with us in charitable work for the community.

“My personal experience has been nothing short of abundant warmth, kindness, respect and gratitude, and I am honored, as is our church, to partner with them in serving our community.”

Similar opposition

Karl Beus, a lay minister from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Solon, said he recalled similar opposition that the CVIC encountered when it was building its mosque several years ago.

“It was disheartening to see the level of that opposition,” he said. “It was such a blessing to see the response of the interfaith community, and the community in general and this administration – it was completely supportive.

“I didn’t think about that sort of opposition much more after that, yet here we find ourselves again.

“So it’s disappointing in a sense, but also a wake-up call and also revelatory in a sense in that it gives yet another opportunity to show the strength of this community and its support of diversity and differing views and different faiths.”

Beus said his experience with Masroor and Simee Malik and other members of the CVIC has been “wonderful, really full of warmth and welcoming.”

“We’ve been welcomed into their homes and into their places of worship, we’ve celebrated feast days with them, we’ve prayed with them,” he said.

“They have been a leader in the interfaith community in organizing vigils, drives and outreach. We can all learn from the energy and the commitment they have brought to service and community.

“So I 100 percent stand with them and thank them for their courage and everything they’ve done here.”

The Rev. Jim Lewis, pastor of Advent Lutheran Church in Solon, serves as the convener of SAIL.

Lewis said the CVIC has “exemplified time and time again the need to stand up for those who are suffering, who are hurting, who are oppressed, who are being attacked and who are struggling in any way.

“I have lifted up (the CVIC) as an example for my own community to encourage them to embody those values, to look at our neighbors regardless of race, gender or creed and to see them as people who are in need of those to stand by them,” he said.

“I am so proud to stand with the leaders and friends I have at Chagrin Valley Islamic Center.”

Council reaffirms support

When it was council’s turn to speak, all members expressed support of the CVIC.

“When I was elected to council (in 2021), one of the first people to reach out to me and congratulate me was Masroor (Malik),” Ward 4 Councilman Mike Kan said.

“Masroor and his wife, Simee, were very kind to me. They invited me to the mosque; they provided lunch for me and my family. I know that they are a reflection of the kindness of your congregation.

“The mosque is no doubt a great civic asset to this community, and it will continue to be an asset for many generations to come,” he continued.

“And we will continue to support all the members there and all of the members of our diverse faith community.”

Ward 1 Councilman Macke Bentley said he was shocked that anyone would talk about possibly closing the CVIC “because that’s never going to happen.”

“We support all religions and faiths, and so I would do whatever it takes to defend (the CVIC) and make them safe and make them viable,” he said. “We want them to thrive and be successful.

“I think everyone knows that we support (the CVIC), and nothing crazy like that is going to happen in Solon.”

Ward 6 Councilman Bob Shimits said, “Just like every religion, the mosque belongs here.”

“You have the support of City Council,” he told CVIC members. “We will not allow anything to happen, if we can do it.

“We feel for everybody. We don’t want anybody to feel like they’re being attacked.”

Pelunis said the discussion at Monday’s meeting was “very good to have, and I think we really benefit from it.”

“We (council) don’t have the power to close down a religious institution in the city,” he said. “We support all religious institutions in the city.

“If anyone is interested, I am happy to sit down and to meet – whatever we can do to facilitate the discussion and the positive attributes of this community.”

Meany said council members were “pretty much blindsided” by the comments against the CVIC at the Oct. 7 meeting.

“We’ve always had a policy here, when people come up to speak, I am not going to confront them,” she said.

“We are here to listen to our residents, and even non-residents are welcome to speak. We listen and we learn.”

Meany said the CVIC is “a beautiful community,” and “we have always supported you.

“I guess I sort of understand why you have an issue with us, but please understand our role,” she said. “Number one is freedom of speech.

“I will never stop anyone from speaking. I don’t have the right to do that.

“I’m so very sad that this is happening,” she continued. “We don’t need this.

“But always know the support that you have had from us here on council, from this mayor and from all of the administration.”

Kraus described the CVIC as his “second home” and noted its journey became his own.

“We have stood with CVIC every single day,” he said. “That mosque was built because of everyone up here and the work that we did.

“You will get through this. You are us; we are you. You’re all part of the fabric.”