Cedar Rapids Imam Taha Tawil Passes Away, Leaving Legacy of Faith and Interfaith Service
Imam Taha Tawil, a prominent religious leader in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has passed away. Tawil was instrumental in preserving the historic Mother Mosque of America and spent over four decades promoting interfaith understanding across Iowa. Born in Jerusalem, Tawil moved to Cedar Rapids where he served the Muslim community and played a key role in restoring the Mother Mosque, the oldest surviving purpose-built mosque in the United States. His efforts extended beyond the Muslim community as he helped found the Inter-Religious Council of Iowa and served on the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission. Tawil's family highlighted his deep belief in religious liberty and interfaith cooperation, often expressing that 'America works when freedom works.' He is survived by his wife, seven children, and several grandchildren. 
