Mother Mosque of America

  • Albert Aossey points to a photo showing his family gathered inside the Mother Mosque of America in the 1940s. All photos: Willy Lowry / The National
    Albert Aossey points to a photo showing his family gathered inside the Mother Mosque of America in the 1940s. All photos: Willy Lowry / The National
  • Imam Taha Tawil unlocks the back door of the mosque in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
    Imam Taha Tawil unlocks the back door of the mosque in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
  • A crescent moon rests on the roof of the simple wooden structure that has catered to Muslims in Cedar Rapids.
    A crescent moon rests on the roof of the simple wooden structure that has catered to Muslims in Cedar Rapids.
  • Imam Taha Tawil leads prayers at the small mosque.
    Imam Taha Tawil leads prayers at the small mosque.
  • Imam Taha Tawil poses inside the Mother Mosque of America.
    Imam Taha Tawil poses inside the Mother Mosque of America.
  • Imam Tawil leads Albert Aossey in prayer.
    Imam Tawil leads Albert Aossey in prayer.
  • Books line the walls of the small mosque.
    Books line the walls of the small mosque.
  • Books fill the small place of worship.
    Books fill the small place of worship.
  • A sign for a Christian academy rests in front of the Mother Mosque of America.
    A sign for a Christian academy rests in front of the Mother Mosque of America.
  • The Mosque is hoping to build a welcome centre next to the original structure.
    The Mosque is hoping to build a welcome centre next to the original structure.
  • The Mosque is built of wood, and is a simple square structure.
    The Mosque is built of wood, and is a simple square structure.
  • Imam Taha Tawil poses in front of the mosque.
    Imam Taha Tawil poses in front of the mosque.
  • The mosque sits next to an empty lot. The community hopes to build a new welcome centre next to the original structure.
    The mosque sits next to an empty lot. The community hopes to build a new welcome centre next to the original structure.
  • The mosque is built of wood, and is a simple square structure.
    The mosque is built of wood, and is a simple square structure.
  • The mosque sits on a quiet residential street in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
    The mosque sits on a quiet residential street in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.