Muslim American Society Iowa Chapter

There are two experiences I need to share with you about the Muslim American Society Iowa Chapter (MAS Iowa).

First is a peace rally I attended last summer during the fighting in Gaza, sponsored by the MAS Iowa Freedom Foundation Justice for Palestine effort. This was the first peace rally I’d ever been to (yes, much of my youth was spent in complacency) so I had no clue what to do. But someone put signs down on the lawn and others were choosing theirs, so I chose mine. It said, “For God’s sake, when?” I liked holding that sign.

It was one of the hottest days of the year, yet it didn’t seem to bother me as I was focused on praying while holding the sign for passing traffic on the First Avenue bridge to see. I knew none of the other sign-holders, yet we seemed to bond in the silence, each bringing their own desire for peace to the rally.

People did different things. Some sat in the shade. I put one foot in the street and the entire group was promptly reprimanded to stay on the curb so as to not get hit by a passing car. Two police cruisers were on hand to protect protesters. Something about rallying for peace, though, helps keep a crowd pretty quiet.

About an hour into the rally, Imam Ahmed Elkhaldy began on the speaker-phone, talking about the need to respect the dignity of every human soul, of literally every living being and every living thing. There was no longer a division of Jew or Muslim or Christian. All of us are one, all Children of Abraham.

Others spoke as well, including an inspiring message from Rabbi Aaron Sherman of Temple Judah, calling for peace in the Middle East and an end to fighting, an end to war.

This experience was a powerful one for me. I truly hope I never forget just how powerful demonstrating for peace can be.

The second thing I need to share with you about MAS Iowa is how during the most holy month of Ramadan, I was sick. I missed two Iftar (breaking of the daily fast) dinners. Both of those nights two sisters from MAS Iowa, Sister Angela and Sister Tracy, traveled all the way from Third Avenue and 10^th Street SE in Cedar Rapids to the East edge of Marion to bring me food from the dinner. They stayed with me a while, talking and being ever so patient, knowing I was lonely from being sick and in bed all day. And when I began to get tired, they graciously left. They weren’t afraid of my germs. They were there only to comfort me and show me dignity and love.

At this point I am healing well, thanks first of all to prayer, and second of all to medicine, and I am looking forward to sharing an Iftar dinner with MAS Iowa before Ramadan ends.