(Middle East Eye) “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar.” The Muslim call for prayer, known as adhan, echoed through the Muslim Community Organization in Iowa as voters stood in a registration line outside the prayer hall, waiting to attend the Democratic Party’s caucuses at the mosque.
Rows of worshippers, surrounded by campaign signs, performed evening prayer before the electoral process began late on Monday.
The Muslim Community Organization was one of five mosques in the Des Moines area to turn into a caucus site, as the Democratic Party kicked off its contest to pick the nominee who will try to unseat President Donald Trump in November.
“This is truly a historic moment for you as Muslims in Iowa and Muslims across the country,” Ghazala Salam, president of the Muslim Caucus of America, told voters midway through the process.
