Muslim Day celebrated at Iowa Capitol with pastries, proclamation

It was Iowa Muslim day at the Iowa Capitol on Monday with Muslims sharing pastries and other ethnic foods in the Rotunda while providing information about their faith and work in Iowa.

Gov. Terry Branstad signed a proclamation for Muslim Recognition Day in Iowa, something the Republican chief executive first did in 1992 during his previous tenure as governor.

About 50 Iowa Muslims joined him in the governor's formal office and applauded during a signing ceremony.

The Muslims who gathered at the Capitol included native-born Iowans, and Muslims who have immigrated to Iowa from Bosnia, Somalia, Sudan, Iraq, Egypt and other countries.