Islamic Faith & The Mother Mosque

The Mother Mosque of America | Islamic Cultural and Heritage Center

In my book, 100 Minutes With Osama bin Laden, the Mother Mosque, and the Islamic faith, play an interesting role in my search for clues after Osama bin Laden visited my convenience store in southern Iowa.

Could bin Laden have come to Iowa to visit the first and oldest surviving mosque in North America? Here's an interesting overview of this mosque located in the heartland of America,

History

Opened in 1934, members built this mosque as the Great Depression was underway. The Muslims that reside in the area helped pave the way for Muslims nationwide. The first national Muslim Cemetery was built in Cedar Rapids in 1948. It was an Iowan Muslim veteran of World War II who helped recognize Islam as a valid religion in the U.S. military. The Mother Mosque of America has stood the test of time that could only be achieved with a shared sense of unity and love of its community.

The Mission

Their mission is to offer workshops, programs, and conferences to religious and secular communities. To keep their values and principles of diversity and pluralism intact as Americans. They state they encourage, nurture, and appreciate an environment of respect, love, equality, and justice. However, I'm wondering what truly goes on behind the doors of places like this.

Changing Landscape of Mosques in America

Do mosques contribute to the rich cultural mosaic of cities? Do non-Muslims see them as a unifying force, who seem willing to welcome people of all backgrounds to learn about Islam and foster connections that transcend religious and cultural boundaries? The past news events outlined below indicate potentially how difficult this endeavor is.

Physical Attacks

Some mosques and Islamic centers around the U.S. have dealt with physical attacks, including vandalism, arson, and other forms of destruction. These attacks are often fueled by Islamophobia and intolerance. It's a difficult situation to deal with.

Hate Crimes

Muslims attending worship services or participating in community events in the U.S. have been victims of hate crimes. These crimes can range from verbal abuse to physical assault, and they are driven by prejudice and discrimination. It's a sad commentary on how a few feel such hatred and perhaps fear toward these groups.

Bomb Threats

Some Muslim worship centers have received bomb threats, causing panic and disruption to normal activities. Even if these threats turn out to be hoaxes, they create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity within the community. It's not a surprise. Bomb threats are easy and effective ways to stir up fear.

Online Threats and Harassment

With the rise of the internet, Muslim communities have also faced threats and harassment in online spaces. Hate speech, discriminatory comments, and threats made on social media platforms have contributed to an atmosphere of hostility. How do you police the Internet to root out the bad players? It seems a daunting task.

Discrimination and Zoning Issues

Some Muslim communities have faced discrimination including zoning regulations that make it challenging to establish new worship centers or expand existing ones. These issues limit the ability of the community to practice their faith freely.

Surveillance and Profiling

Muslim worship centers have been subjected to unwarranted surveillance by law enforcement agencies. Does this type of profiling create a sense of distrust and unease within the community?

Islamophobic Rhetoric

Public figures and media outlets have contributed to Islamophobia through inflammatory rhetoric. Is this type of discourse fueling negative perceptions of Islam and Muslims, and contributing to an environment where attacks on Muslim worship centers are more likely?

Conclusion

How effective have we as a society been in addressing or condemning these acts of violence, discrimination, and hatred? Do communities, law enforcement, and policymakers work together to promote tolerance, understanding, and the protection of religious freedom for all? I have my doubts.

Dialogue and education about different cultures and religions can be a difficult thing. We all want a more inclusive and harmonious society, but I'm worried that the Muslims in America may not be getting the level of support they require to thrive. Numerous movies that depict and play out the radicalism of the religion certainly do not help their cause.

In the meantime, I need to take a tour of the Mother Mosque of America to learn more.

Want to Learn More?

For information purposes only, here are a few links to places where you can find out more information on your own.

Islamic Society of North America (ISNA): ISNA is one of the largest Islamic organizations in North America. They may have a directory or resources to help you find mosques. Visit their website at isna.net.

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR): CAIR is an organization that advocates for civil rights and provides information about Islam. They may have resources or contacts to help you find mosques. Visit their website at cair.com.