Excerpt:
It was Muslim Day at the Iowa Capitol on Tuesday as followers of Islam mingled with the public to share food, conversation and goodwill.
Gov. Terry Branstad, who has had longstanding ties to the state's Islamic community, honored the third annual event by signing a proclamation declaring Tuesday as "Muslim Recognition Day" in Iowa.
"The motto of the great state of Iowa, 'Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain,' inspires Americans of Muslim faith, in our community, to articulate the responsibilities of patriotism, and encourages participation in the duties of citizenship," Branstad's proclamation read.