Loud chattering echoed the halls of the Ames Public Library as the taste of falafels filled the community members’ stomachs.

On February 25th, Darul Arqum Islamic Center (DAIC) hosted the event History of Muslims in America. The event focused on educating the public about Islam and telling the stories of Muslims in Iowa. Food and other activities were provided to help foster conversations about Islam and Muslims in Ames.

Waddah Akili, a geotechnical engineer, helped put together this event. He wanted it to be a place to explain Islam. Members of the DAIC, like Hanan Elshahawy, are happy to have an event like this where they can help educate the Ames community about them and their faith.

“It’s better to hear from a Muslim about Islam than a non-Muslim,” Elshahawy said. “You wouldn’t ask a non-Christian to explain Christianity.”

Elshahawy worked at the hijab table where women could learn how to wear a hijab and the reason women, like Elshahawy, wear them.

Informative posters lined the room telling the story of Muslims in America. Iowa has had a long history of Muslims living here. The mosque in Cedar Rapids is the oldest mosque still in North America. Nermin Sabry, the principle of the Islamic school at DAIC, as lived in Ames for 16 years. To Sabry, Ames is her home.

“Muslims have been in North America for centuries,” Sabry said. “When speaking with lots of people, they don’t have any idea about the history of Muslims. We are a part of this society.”

Mohammad Rashid, a recent graduate of Iowa State University, wanted the event to help clear up any stereotypes that people may have had about Muslims.

“We are not that crazy. We are students here. We have dreams like everybody else, “Rashid said. “Pursuing careers the way everybody else does…This event is to showcase that we are not new here.”

Community members came to the event for wide reasons. Some came for the henna tattoos, but others, like Deb Lewis, came as a friend.

Lewis attends First Christian Church on Clark Avenue. Lewis has attended DAIC’s previous events because she feels that building connections will help the Ames community.

“It’s important to build a community of welcome,” Lewis said. “It helps us when things are tough. We can come together.”

Ames has been a home to many Muslims. Sabry said it is because the Midwest is just a nice place to live.

“Living in Ames is something different, but a nice different,” Sabry said. “There’s less conflict and less problems. For most of the time there are no problems. People are accepting [here].”

Lewis said the event also helps get to know each other as people instead of stereotypes

“As we connect with individuals it becomes harder to stereotype,” Lewis said.

DAIC has been putting on these kind of events annually for a few years, and they plan to continue helping educate the Ames community.  

“There will be more events like this to come,” Rashid said.