January 1, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 27, 1423

WASHINGTON, Dec 31: The Islamic Foundation of Ohio reopens this week, months after it was forced to close following a hate attack.

The Muslim community in Columbus, Ohio, plans to celebrate the reopening with an open house.

“The re-opening ceremony of the Islamic Center has an important meaning for people of all faiths. It sends the message that Muslims are an integral part of our community and that the attack on their mosque was an attack on everyone in our state,” said Ahmad Al-Akhras, president of the Ohio office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Last year, vandals caused extensive damage to all three floors of the centre.