Despite rainy weather, many Muslims drove across the state to participate in the Iowa Da’wah Convention, which ran Friday through Sunday in the Memorial Union. This conference celebrates the legacy of the first Muslims in the United States and provides information about Islam.

“We’re here to spread knowledge about Islam, [and] to show the beauty of the religion itself,” said Aida Mackic of West Des Moines.

Mackic, originally of Bosnia, presented the lecture “Islam 101,” an educational seminar about the fundamental beliefs of Islam.

“It was good to see people seeking knowledge that isn’t from the media,” Mackic said. “With things going on in the world today, it’s hard to locate the truth.”

The conference theme was “And we have sent you not, O Muhammad, except as a mercy for mankind,” and it included lectures, workshops, prayer meetings and a special children’s performance.

For this performance, girls dressed in colorful costume and performed several dances to traditional music. Following this performance, each girl was given a special gift.

“[The children’s performance] was nice and very cute,” said Grinnell College student Nabila Marzouk.

Marzouk also attended several lectures, including “Prophet Muhammad and Women” by Sister Fatheyah Obeid, and “What do we Learn from the Danish Cartoons?” given by Sheikh Waleed Basyouni.

“We have the right to be offended [by the cartoons,] but not the right to burn other people’s property,” Marzouk said in response to the lecture about Danish cartoons. “It was a very interesting presentation.”

Other lectures included “The Birthright Ignored,” “Prophet Muhammad as if you see him” and “The Purpose of Existence.”

Different speakers were featured with each lecture, some of whom traveled overseas for the event, according to the event program at www.iowamuslims.org.

Sheikh Salah al Sawy, the Secretary General of the Assembly of Muslim Jurists in America and former vice president of American Open University, presented a workshop about Islamic financial management and presented the lecture, “Muhammad’s Beloved Ones . Are you one?”

Lama Hiraky of Des Moines came to the Da’wah convention with her family and attended the financial management workshop.

“[The lecture] taught how to manage Islamic [financial] issues here in the United States,” Hiraky said.

According to Islamic law, she said, interest on loans is “forbidden,” but the workshop gave practical advice on handling cultural differences.

“They have many solutions for us here,” Hiraky said.

Iowa was selected as the location for the Da’wah convention because the very first Muslims in the United States settled in Cedar Rapids, where they built the first mosque, which is a Muslim center of worship.

“I went [to the mosque in Cedar Rapids] and visited. It is very nice,” Hiraky said. “I love this place.”

Although the event was held on campus, few ISU students participated in the Da’wah convention.

“I wish more [students] participated but it is Finals Week,” Mackic said.

Other attendees said the lack of attendance by students was the result of a lack of information.

“People are not informed,” said Fehim Krijestorac of Des Moines.