Residents press Solon leaders over alleged antisemitism; mosque volunteers and visitors defend community work

Several residents used council’s public-comment period on Feb. 18 to urge the City of Solon to take action they say is needed to confront antisemitism and alleged promotion of radical views connected to the Chagrin Valley Islamic Center.

Adam Snow, identifying himself from 4455 Silsbee Road, said he and more than 20 others have repeatedly raised “genuine concern and fears” about what they described as radicalism and antisemitism connected to the mosque and its associates. Snow asked the council to sever ties with the Chagrin Valley Islamic Center, to remove the mosque’s founder from a community relations committee and to explicitly condemn the mosque for violating Solon’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies. “We are begging you to do the right thing,” Snow said, and characterized prior city responses as insufficient.

Christy Berkowitz, a resident, said she was “tired” of repeated public comment with no visible action and described a recent school incident in which a student drew a swastika-like image on a classmate’s whiteboard. “We have a big problem in this city, a really big problem that is spreading like wildfire,” she said, asking the council what specific remedies were being pursued.

Speakers representing the Chagrin Valley Islamic Center and allied groups responded during the same comment period. A man who identified himself as Mr. Malik and said he is involved with the Center described the mosque’s long-running monthly food pantry — which he said supplies essentials to “50 to 100 families each month” — and thanked volunteers, the Rotary Club of Solon and the mayor for participation. “Our food pantry isn’t about just distributing food, it's about the dignity, the kindness, and the simple act of caring for our neighbors,” Malik said, and invited councilmembers and residents to visit the mosque and engage in dialogue.

A visitor, Alec Popofkirk of Cleveland Heights, described attending the mosque and promoting education and interfaith programming. Popofkirk urged civic leaders to prioritize education and communication, including events that bring Jewish and Muslim communities together.

Mayor Krauss said the city is pursuing a multi-pronged approach to community concerns and cited recent interfaith conversations and planned programming. He said the city will continue to encourage dialogue: “We don't talk at each other. We talk to each other.” The mayor did not announce any formal disciplinary or administrative action tied to Snow’s requests but said the city had reviewed the public comments and would consider educational programming that addresses antisemitism.

Councilmembers echoed support for dialogue. Councilman Khan thanked commenters and said that the concerns raised were being taken seriously; he noted prior attempts to address community matters and asked the mayor for further updates on planned programming.

No formal council action to remove individuals from city committees, adopt new policies, or sever ties with the mosque was recorded in the meeting minutes or roll calls during the Feb. 18 session. Residents and community members said they expect further engagement from city leaders in coming weeks.