On the outside, it looks as it always has. But on the inside, the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo is a work in progress.
"Its a big job, its a big building," Cherrefe Kadri, President of the Islamic Center said. "There are a lot of nooks and crannies but its coming along and it looks real good."
Right now, construction equipment is in the parking lot as the clean up continues. But back in September, a much different scene.
Fire broke out in the second floor prayer room, a fire investigators say was intentionally set.
Randy Linn of Indiana was eventually arrested and charged with arson and hate crimes. Linn originally pleaded guilty, however he has now requested to change his plea.
"He certainly has that right," Kadri told 13abc. "We just have to let that process continue and justice will be served whatever justice looks like."
Leaders at the Islamic Center say they're working hard to get everything back to normal as soon as possible. But for now the gates remained locked and the center is shut down. The hope is to have it opened by the spring.
In the meantime, students from the Islamic Center school are still taking classes at Owens and services are being held in other mosques. Kadri says its been a difficult rid, but the community has rallied together making the process a little easier.
"We're very fortunate to be in the greater Toledo area," she said.
As for Linn, he told the court he was depressed when he pleaded guilty. The deal called for him to serve 20 years in prison. There is no word when the judge will address his request to change his plea.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WICU. All Rights Reserved.
