Memorial
Imam Taha Tawil, a beloved Islamic scholar, attorney, and dedicated community leader, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a profound legacy of faith, cultural preservation, and interfaith harmony in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Born and raised in Jerusalem, the Holy Land, where he served as an attorney for religious counsel, Imam Tawil first arrived in Cedar Rapids more than 40 years ago. He fell in love with the kind Midwestern community of Cedar Rapids, which became his second home, and where he chose to stay and dedicate his life.
As an Islamic scholar, Imam Tawil beautifully bridged generational divides, guiding a community that includes many third-, fourth-, and fifth-generation Levantine (Sham) Muslim Americans. His most enduring legacy is the restoration of the historic Mother Mosque of America. The structure, first built in 1934, had fallen into disrepair over the years as the Muslim community grew and eventually built and moved to a larger Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids. Imam Tawil championed its recovery and successfully had it placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it stands as a monumental symbol of Muslim-American heritage.
Beyond his congregation, Imam Tawil served the broader Iowa community with open arms. He was one of the dedicated founders of the Inter-Religious Council of Iowa, a chaplain for the police department, a commissioner for the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, and an Islamic consultant for the Iowa Department of Corrections, providing vital religious guidance within state correctional facilities. He will be remembered for his unwavering belief that “America works when freedom works,” and for his gentle spirit that wove the Muslim community tightly into the fabric of Iowa.
Imam Taha Tawil was, most importantly, a family man. There wasn’t a roller coaster or theme park he did not take his children to. He enjoyed swimming, riding bikes, writing poetry, and creating art.
Janazah (funeral) prayers and memorial services will be announced by the Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, his seven children, and his grandchildren. He is beloved by all.