Muslim Recognition Day declared in Lowa

Des Moines City, Iowa, U.S. - Governor of Iowa Terry Branstad, who has had longstanding ties to the state's Islamic community, honored the 3rd annual event by signing a proclamation declaring Tuesday as "Muslim Recognition Day" in Iowa.

It was Muslim Day at the Iowa capitol on Tuesday as followers of Islam mingled with the public to share food, conversation and goodwill, The Des Moines Register news reported.

"The motto of the great state of Iowa, 'Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain,' inspires Americans of Muslim faith, in our community, to articulate the responsibilities of patriotism, and encourages participation in the duties of citizenship," Branstad's proclamation read.

The event lasted from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and there were about 100 people including some Iowa legislators who were visiting the Rotunda at one point during the noon hour.

“This is just to let our neighbors know who we are. That we are part of American society and that we are citizens, professionals, and workers. We are just like everyone else," said Mohammad Khan, president of the Muslim Community Organization of Des Moines.

Khan said there are seven mosques in the Des Moines area and other mosques in other cities throughout Iowa. Cedar Rapids is home to the Mother Mosque of North America, completed in 1934, which is the oldest purpose-built mosque in the United States.

Muslim medical students took blood pressure tests for visitors in the Rotunda, and others like Dr. Bilal Kaaki, a physician from Cedar Falls who is originally from Lebanon provided food. He served manakish, a type of flatbread topped with sesame seeds or cheese. Representatives of the Council on American-Islamic Relations distributed literature, and information was provided about Halal meats, which means it adheres to Islamic law. Iowa Muslims from Bosnia, Somalia, Sudan and a host of other countries helped with the event.