Building a vibrant Cedar Rapids

Imagine visiting a country where after knowing you for less than 10 minutes it is routine for people to warmly invite you to their house to share tea and meaningful conversation. In this same country, greeting people with hugs and helping out strangers who speak a different language is common. This was my experience of Morocco, when I traveled there with a group from the Cedar Rapids non-profit, Matthew 25.

The trip had three goals. We'd learn about women-run, organic food cooperatives. We'd experience what it is like to be in a Muslim country that acts as a crossroads between Africa and Europe. And we'd reflect on our Christian faith while being religious and ethnic minorities.

For me, the trip had a fourth goal. It was a homecoming. You see, from 1961 to 1963, my dad was stationed on a military base in Casablanca. My passport has Morocco listed as the place of my birth. While I grew up with my parents sharing stories of Morocco, I hadn't been back since we left when I was 2 years old. When my plane landed in Casablanca, I was on the grounds of the base where I was born.

Words really can't express the level of hospitality our group felt while in Morocco. From my initial pass through customs as we entered the country, where I was told, 'Welcome home,” people were warm and friendly. Everywhere we went, we were able to connect deeply and quickly.

At women-run cooperatives we visited, we saw close-up what empowerment looks like. Women who had little education and lived in cinder block houses without many of the comforts we take for granted were changing society. Through the cooperatives they were learning business skills, bringing running water and electricity to their villages and setting up education programs for their children. These women were achieving economic independence and moving toward social equality.

In one ancient city we visited, we experienced call to prayer resonating through the streets from three-hundred mosques, five times per day. It was not unusual to see men in shops reading the Quran during their down time. You could feel the pulse of faith in the city and it was beautiful. As a Christian, there were many times that I felt like I had much to learn from my Muslim brothers and sisters. As a human, I was reminded of the beauty and importance of diversity.

This trip to Morocco won't be my last. Matthew 25 intends to continue building strong connections there, in part by supporting cooperatives. Potential exists for marketing goods produced in Moroccan cooperatives here in Cedar Rapids. A variety of learning and cultural exchanges are possible. Who knows, perhaps a sister-city relationship with a Moroccan city is possible.

Most of all, a relationship with Morocco will help Cedar Rapids remain a leader in Iowa in diversity and cultural understanding. As the community with the oldest mosque in the United States, Cedar Rapids knows well what a gift diversity can be. However, during times of fear and anxiety, it can become easy for us to withdraw and seek comfort in familiarity. My encouragement is that we seek to go the opposite direction. As we build for the future, let's seek out diversity and uniqueness as building blocks of a vibrant city.

Not only did my trip with Matthew 25 accomplish its goals, but it deeply impacted my life. It reminded me once again of what a gift diversity is in my life. It reminds me to lean into the stereotypes and fears that many have regarding Muslim countries. I am thankful for organizations such as Matthew 25 that show us reconciliation and love of neighbor give us strength. I look forward to continuing to build economic and faith relationships with our Moroccan brothers and sisters. I hope others will join with us.

' Barry Boyer grew up in Cedar Rapids and is an ardent supporter of its continued progress. Comments: barryboyer@mac.com