ARCHBOLD, Ohio – In 2018, Gamal Mohamed won a green card lottery and moved his family from Cairo to the United States.
On Thursday, Mr. Mohamed, 62, a Toledo restaurant chef, was all smiles as he watched his wife of 25 years, Maha Mohamed; daughter Nadia Mohamed, and son Mostafa Mohamed take an oath of citizenship.
Mrs. Mohamed and her children were among 75 people, originally of 37 countries, who were sworn in as U.S. citizens by Magistrate Judge James Knepp during a naturalization ceremony at Sauder Village, a popular living-history destination location in Fulton County. About 400 attended the 60-minute event.
“I am happy and proud that I gave them that opportunity, and I hope to be soon joining them as a U.S. citizen,” the older Mr. Mohamed said.
Mr. Mohamed is still waiting for an invitation to a citizenship interview. He doesn’t know the reason for the delay, he said.
The younger Mr. Mohamed, 20, looked at his father fondly as he spoke
“He gave me that chance, so I grabbed it,” he said. “And I am really grateful to him.”
Mostafa Mohamed is a University of Toledo sophomore majoring in IT and minoring in finance. He works as a manager at Wild Wild Wings, a West Toledo restaurant where his father is the chef.
Judge Knepp said it’s symbolic that the new citizens were sworn in on Thursday, joining not only the Fourth of July celebration but all the Americans — those living now and those who have passed — by acquiring the rights and duties of a U.S. citizen.
“You are joining the founders of this country,” Judge Knepp said. “... That’s a big deal.”
Judge Knepp then called on the new citizens to exercise those rights and duties.
“I am proud to call each of you my fellow citizens and look each of you in the eye and tell you that you are every bit as much an American as me or anyone here or any of those brave men who signed the Declaration of Independence. ... Rise to the challenge and vote, sit on the juries,” he urged them.
Miss Mohamed, 24, also a manager at Wild Wild Wings, said she is eager to do just that.
“I am looking forward to voting in November,” Miss Mohamed said. “I am proud to be able to do that now that I am a citizen.”
Miss Mohamed spoke after the ceremony as she filled in a form to register as a voter.
Highlights Thursday included a guest speaker address by Jessica Reyes, court administrator at U.S. District Court in Toledo.
Ms. Reyes, whose parents came from Mexico, urged the new citizens to cherish both their heritage and their new status.
“Never be ashamed to share your story,” Ms. Reyes said. “Never be ashamed to say where you're from. Always be proud of your roots because it could be an inspiration to someone else one day.
“And don't ever take for granted the fact that you are now a citizen, because it's truly a blessing.”
Music was provided by Fort Defiance Dixieland Jazz Band.
Most Popular
Comments / 0