a history of the cedar rapids muslim community
TRANSCRIPT
A History of the Cedar Rapids Muslim
Community
A presentatio
n by Noёl Rozum
Why Am I Here?Cultural and religious involvement…
Research experience…
The Nature of This Research Assignment
1. The learn as much as I could about the Cedar Rapids Muslim community.
2. To be a contact person between the community and Prof. Kensky.
3. To compose reports and timelines on what has been happening.
4. To inform this class about the Muslim community in Cedar Rapids.
Why Should You Care?This is a historic community…
It provides a bridge between class information and the greater world…
Reasons for Immigration1st and 2nd waves of Muslim immigration to the United States…
-Black African slaves -Arab immigrants
The First Arab Immigrants to Cedar Rapids
1890’s – Thomas Bashara was the first Arab Christian to settle in Cedar Rapids.
1895 – A Muslim from Lebanon, Hussien Ali Sheronick, followed his friend to Cedar Rapids.
1900 – Sheronick opens a dry goods store in Cedar Rapids.
Religious EstablishmentsEarly services were held in the homes of local Muslims…
1929-32 – Cedar Rapids gets its first two Imams.
1925 – Rose of Fraternity Lodge is established in Cedar Rapids.
The Worship Experience
1934 – Mother Mosque was completed.
Practical problems and the Mother Mosque…
1950s – Sunday becomes the most attended day for prayer services …
A New Mosque
1972 – The Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids opens in the spring.
1985 – The minaret was added for aesthetic purposes.
Some More Recent Events
2000 – Franklin Middle School and The Terrorist.
2002 – Opposition over prison laws.
2006 – Construction begins on the Muslim Youth Camps of America.
2008 – Mother Mosque is flooded.
2010 – Vandals break into the Islamic Center.
“Americanization”The process by which the community has willingly or forcibly given up some amount of their cultural or Islamic tradition…
Some Final Thoughts!
To the Islamic Center We Go!
Be considerate….
Please wear conservative clothes, i.e. no shorts, short-sleeved shirts, or low riding necklines.
Arrive at 6:10 and have fun!