Thank you from a Muslim to a good chunk of Cape Girardeau

Editor's note: The following essay was submitted to the Southeast Missourian via the Your Stories section on semissourian.com.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, once said that he who does not thank people, does not properly thank Allah. Allah is the proper Arabic name of the One God of Abrahamic faiths. He was not born, nor was He begotten. It is used primarily by Muslims but Arab Christians also use it.

Although it was very difficult for me to be in a place being a minority with a message as vast as Islam's, I nearly ALWAYS felt welcomed by the people of Cape. People knew I was a Muslim by the required veil or "hijab" I wore in public, in front of male non-relatives. My Catholic grade school was exemplary in its show of tolerance; my family was given permission to not attend services and conduct independent religion classes. At Central High School, the former principal was a beacon and inspiration in his positiveness and care he showed for me, and many of the school faculty and staff were understanding of the various needs I had as a Muslim such as prayer during school hours and were also interested in learning about my faith and culture. At Southeast Missouri State University, a former dean helped assist me and some other Muslim students on campus in finding a place for prayer. The professors and instructors were very kind and appreciative of my Muslim background as well. In addition, I was able to put up some displays about Ramadan and educate people about Islam on campus. The spirit of tolerance and compassionate coexistence my family felt is a pivotal reason we chose to remain in the United States and become citizens.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said that the people of the west ("Romans") have qualities of "being good to the destitute and the orphans, to the weak and putting resistance against the oppression of kings."

I have seen these characteristics in many of the people of Cape and it has been immensely touching. It has been 3 years since I left Cape for grass a little paler in Texas but, Allah willing, I cannot forget the blessed time I spent in Cape.

I encourage the people of Southeast Missouri to retain its love of plurality and multiculturalism but to not allow this to tamper with the wonderful conservative values of family and its opposition to immorality as defined by what is shared between the Quran and the Bible.

As my Christian friend and I walked into Panera one day, what I could think is, "wow. The heartland is a Kingdom of Heaven."