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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOldest Mosque in America Invites Donald Trump to Visit (Mother Mosque of America in Cedar Rapids)
X-posted from the Iowa group: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10513866
The day that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump released his first television ad in Iowamarketing himself as Americas savior against radical Islamic terrorisma leading Iowa imam responded not in fear of increased anti-Muslim backlash but with an invitation for Trump himself.
As an imam and director of the first mosque of North America, I, Imam Tawil, declare that we would love to have our candidate Donald Trump to come and talk to his fellow citizens who have been born here, whose parents were born here, as Americans, to come talk to us about his plans, to come to tell us his philosophy, and to tell us how he can help us out as American citizens, Tawil tells TIME.
It is an ironic historical twist that Iowa, where Trump is pushing anti-Muslim fervor to increase his presidential appeal, is also home to one of Americas most established Muslim communities. Tawil leads the Mother Mosque of America in Cedar Rapids, which is the oldest surviving mosque not just in the United States but also in North America. The community dates to Syrians who settled in the Cedar Rapids area in the late 1800s, and Mother Mosque formally opened in 1934 in the midst of the Great Depression. The area is also home to the Muslim National Cemetery, whose land in honor of military servicemen who fought in World War II.
Today Cedar Rapids is home to three mosques. Mother Mosque operates more as a cultural center for non-Muslims, while the nearby Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids is main center for prayer and religious services some 2,000 Muslim families in the Cedar Rapids area, Tawil explains. Only about 1% of Iowans are Muslim, mirroring the national average, according to the Pew Research Center.
[Candidates] say things to market themselves, and get votes it is their job to make us look bad, Tawil says. Unfortunately, they are wasting their money, they are not gaining anything, because the community knows who you are, and we are dealing with the fourth generation [of Muslims in Iowa].
Mother Mosques own Iowa pride runs deep. A photo caption on the groups website reads, Is this heaven? No, it is Cedar Rapids, Iowa! At times its welcome page seems more about Iowa than about Islam: The Mother Mosque is in IOWA, the hearthland of America, Cedar Rapids, Iowa where hospitality, generousity, and tolerance is well known facts, a history section on its website reads. From fields of tulips to the field of dreams From covered bridges to covered wagon From Americas castles to classic barns From fields of corns to Quaker Oat From Czech Museum to the Mother Mosque of America IOWA welcomes you.
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http://time.com/4167859/donald-trump-mosque-visit-iowa/
Mother Mosque in Cedar Rapids
Mother Mosque website
The head of a Cedar Rapids mosque is inviting Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to meet with members of the Muslim community. Imam Taha Tawil of the Mother Mosque says his members would like to hear about Trumps plans if hes elected, and have a chance to talk to him about Muslims role in the U-S over the last 100-plus years.
Tawil said on IPRs River to River program Friday that Trumps call for a ban on Muslims entering the U.S., and other comments on the campaign trail, have been damaging to Muslims throughout the country, though there has been no backlash directed at his mosque.
The internet is full of incidents, people throwing [the] heads of pigs around, vandalizing Islamic centers, burning mosques, he said. We have, we heard, we see but thank God, not in Iowa.
But Tawil says members of his community are nervous, especially women and children.
We are feeling like the black community in the [19]30s and 40s, he said. We are like other minorities, the Japanese [in the U.S. during World War Two]. We are right now almost under siege.
Tawil says Muslims have been part of the fabric of American society for more than 100 years, and he would like Trump to understand that. He hasnt received a response from the Trump campaign yet, and Tawil plans to follow up with a formal invitation sent by registered letter.
http://iowapublicradio.org/post/iowa-muslim-leader-invites-trump-cedar-rapids-mosque#stream/0
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)pampango
(24,692 posts)KamaAina
(78,249 posts)stone space
(6,498 posts)Iowa has a long tradition and history of immigration.
Published on Feb 15, 2013
Imam Taha Tawil maintains spiritual vitality at the oldest mosque in America in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Episode 107: Creating a Community
Published on Feb 10, 2014
This video documents 2008 Iowa flood and the damages that affected the city of Cedar Rapids. The Mother Mosque of America was one the historical monument that was damaged.
Uploaded on Oct 21, 2012
In this video, Imam Taha Tawil discusses his role in the Muslim community as an advocate working against domestic violence. He gives examples of the types of abuse he comes across. The imam shares the methods he employs to combat abuse, including the usage of Islamic teachings as a prevention tool. He also imparts suggestions for other Muslim community leaders and members seeking to address abuse within their communities.
pampango
(24,692 posts)he actually embraces is more appealing to his base of racists and nativists.
LittleBlue
(10,362 posts)No way. Learn something new every day.
stone space
(6,498 posts)That's why a potential Trump presidency would be so dangerous for Iowa.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)There are older congregations on the east and west coasts, but this was the first building in the US built specifically as a masjid (there are apparently ritual significances to that that I don't understand).
exboyfil
(17,863 posts)They are my neighbors, coworkers, and fellow parents of school children.
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)Built in the early 20s, IIRC.
stone space
(6,498 posts)I don't feel competent to arbitrate the issue, so I'll just take the easy way out and cheer on the Home Team.
geomon666
(7,512 posts)That's like inviting Dracula into your home. Nothing good can come from this.
stone space
(6,498 posts)We take our "first in the nation" caucuses seriously.
It is a privilege for my state, and with privilege must come responsibility.
Some candidates have the courage to face Iowans directly, and some do not.
My guess is that Trump doesn't have the courage to come here and face Iowa's Muslim community directly.
Time will tell. I could be wrong.
Less than 3 weeks away.
We won't have to wait long to find out.