The Martin extend out sincere condolences to the family, faith family, and community on the transition of Imam Taha Tawil. Thank you for your care and love for humanity.🙏🏽❤️
Rev. Sarah Martin
July 25, 2026
I am so sorry to learn of your loss. Taha was kind, thoughtful and he cared deeply about people and his community.
Gayle Glick
July 25, 2026
Condolences to his family
Carson loveless
July 26, 2026
May Allah be pleased with his actions while living a life of Islam...He was a Amazing student of Islam!!!!
Nuri Muhammad
July 26, 2026
We had the pleasure of his wisdom when I asked him to come to our workplace and share his insights of the world after Sept 22th. A man of great faith and humanity. Thank you! Smiles will follow memories.
Tom Saxen
July 26, 2026
We had the pleasure of his wisdom when I asked him to come to our workplace and share his insights of the world after Sept 11th. A man of great faith and humanity. Thank you! Smiles will follow memories.
Thomas Lee Saxen
July 26, 2026
Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.
May Allah accept every act of worship and every unit of charity. May Allah reward him for every piece of knowledge passed down by him from generation to generation. Ya Allah, accept all of his duaa. Oh Allah please make Taha Tawil one of those who receives his deeds in his right hand on the day of judgement. Ameen
Jordan Schnier-Loveland
July 26, 2026
Sorry to hear of his passing he was a kind and knowledgeable person. I had the pleasure of learning about the Islamic religion from him. Learning he knew Saint George who I called Father George who baptized me. Him and his wife adopted my boyfriend Bobby into their family and always treated him like a son. I hope his wife Sarah and family find peace and I know they know he will always be watching them from above.
Sherri Bleakley
July 26, 2026
"In Loving Memory of Imam Taha Tawil. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Today I honor the life of Imam Taha Tawil, a man whose patience, humility, and service left a lasting impression on me. Though he was a Sunni Imam and I follow the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad under the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, he never allowed our differences to block a sincere relationship. He answered my questions, taught me Arabic, and invested his time in helping me grow. He came faithfully to minister in correctional institutions, including Dixon Correctional Center, sacrificing time with his own family so others could learn and grow. One of the moments I treasure most was when he visited the Nation of Islam, met our community, and saw our work first-hand. Those conversations reflected a deeper understanding. If I had to sum it up, I'd say, "I gave him hell, but he showed me paradise." Those words capture his character for me. May Allah forgive him, accept his service, and grant him Jannat al-Firdaws. Ameen."
Ghani Rashid Muhammad
July 27, 2026
Imam Taha Tawil was a wonderful teacher, leader and ambassador for his faith. He was a frequent guest speaker for my Graceland graduate classes, helping them to respect and accommodate Muslim students. We often enjoyed a meal at the Mother Mosque where members prepared wonderful food. For most of my students it was a first encounter with Islam. What better example of love, caring and faith than Imam Taha Tawil. I will always remember his example of why couldn’t we embrace the diversity of humankind in the same way we celebrate differences in our pets. I know I speak for many when I say he touched my heart and soul with his humility and deep faith. May his family take strength in the way he lived his life.
Jill Olsen
July 30, 2026
I’m so sorry for the family and city to have lost such an impactful individual. He set an example of how to walk through life.
Therese
July 31, 2026
Imam Taha Tawil was a wonderful man and a great spiritual advisor to ourselves and our family. He extended his wisdom and compassion to us all with a rare grace and humility. He maintained a true balance of greatness and humility his whole life. Whether our problem was a troubling spiritual question or a small interpersonal concern, he brought his whole and undivided attention to bear upon it. He was especially warm to the Mother of our family, Imtithal Hamdula Almunayyir, who he referred to as Hajia and treated as well as his own Mother. Eastern Iowa and the world has lost a great man, who is now enjoying his just deserts in Jenna or Heaven above. Thank you, Imam Taha, for being a class act in a challenging time. We love you.
Intesar Duncan and Michael (Mukhlis) Baxter
August 7, 2026
He leaves a big hole in the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County. I greatly enjoyed his talks at our annual Thanksgiving services and his participation in various classes and panel discussions that helped bring Islam to life and remove the intimidation factor of the unknown for people. I will miss him. I wish his friends and family peace.
Kelly D Kruse
August 18, 2026
To the Family of Our Beloved Taha El Tawil. My heart is drawn to my earliest memories of Taha that occurred some 40 plus years ago, when he and his father came into the real estate office where I was working...looking to buy a house. Taha was dressed in slacks and shirt. His father was dressed in Islamic attire complete with a smaller white cap. Taha spoke excellent English while his father remained quiet. Taha already had a home picked out. It was just a matter of informing Mr. and Mrs. Moneypenny that they had a ready buyer...which we did. The home becomes an important focal point because Taha brought you there as a Bride. Your first child, a son, was born there. You named him Asum. Wherever you lived, you always made me feel welcome, always offering me nourishment...even if it were a simple but lovely, golden banana. You referred to me as your American Grandmother and introduced me to Taha's Mother. I remember her name being Cowther. In our early months, I met Taha's Uncle and Cousin. Also, in our early months together, we made several trips to Elkader in Northeast Iowa to view interesting properties. You were included along with the Uncle and the Cousin. I also remember well the Grand Celebration that Taha organized for The Mother Mosque of North America when her necessary improvements were completed. Taha stood proud as well he should as it was a job well done. And a second dinner that I attended later and to which I had been invited by Taha, was held at The Cedar Rapids Islamic Center on First Avenue Southwest. My most vivid memory of that event was the Impeccable Manners of the Young People outfitted in identical starched and pressed white shirts, black slacks, polished shoes and a classic haircut. Taha's influence was most apparent in the all around success of the evening. Yes. And so many more great memories that haven't been unlocked yet.
You know, I am 88 going on 89 in November of this year. I expected Taha, 22 years my junior, to be around to give the Eulogy at my service. How saddened I felt when I learned of his untimely death at age 66. And, how sad I felt for you Sara, now a new widow, your 7 children, now fatherless...and then for their children, now without a grandfather to dote on their most important importants!
God speed to you Sara as you navigate this new beginning for you, your children and your grandchildren. I have been thinking and processing many positive thoughts and prayers on your behalf since I learned of Taha's untimely death. I shall continue.
Most Respectfully and Honorably.
Friend Mary Ames
Mary Ames
August 21, 2026
To the Family of Our Beloved Taha El Tawil. My heart is drawn to my earliest memories of Taha that occurred some 40 plus years ago, when he and his father came into the real estate office where I was working...looking to buy a house. Taha was dressed in slacks and shirt. His father was dressed in Islamic attire complete with a smaller white cap. Taha spoke excellent English while his father remained quiet. Taha already had a home picked out. It was just a matter of informing Mr. and Mrs. Moneypenny that they had a ready buyer...which we did. The home becomes an important focal point because Taha brought you there as a Bride. Your first child, a son, was born there. You named him Asum. Wherever you lived, you always made me feel welcome, always offering me nourishment...even if it were a simple but lovely, golden banana. You referred to me as your American Grandmother and introduced me to Taha's Mother. I remember her name being Cowther. In our early months, I met Taha's Uncle and Cousin. Also, in our early months together, we made several trips to Elkader in Northeast Iowa to view interesting properties. You were included along with the Uncle and the Cousin. I also remember well the Grand Celebration that Taha organized for The Mother Mosque of North America when her necessary improvements were completed. Taha stood proud as well he should as it was a job well done. And a second dinner that I attended later and to which I had been invited by Taha, was held at The Cedar Rapids Islamic Center on First Avenue Southwest. My most vivid memory of that event was the Impeccable Manners of the Young People outfitted in identical starched and pressed white shirts, black slacks, polished shoes and a classic haircut. Taha's influence was most apparent in the all around success of the evening. Yes. And so many more great memories that haven't been unlocked yet.
You know, I am 88 going on 89 in November of this year. I expected Taha, 22 years my junior, to be around to give the Eulogy at my service. How saddened I felt when I learned of his untimely death at age 66. And, how sad I felt for you Sara, now a new widow, your 7 children, now fatherless...and then for their children, now without a grandfather to dote on their most important importants!
God speed to you Sara as you navigate this new beginning for you, your children and your grandchildren. I have been thinking and processing many positive thoughts and prayers on your behalf since I learned of Taha's untimely death. I shall continue.
Most Respectfully and Honorably.
Friend Mary Ames
Mary Ames
August 21, 2026
Only met Taha fairly recently, but in the short time knowing him it was clear he was a person strongly committed to putting positive momentum into the world, and willing to be unconventional when he saw the potential good he could create. He's much appreciated and I am certain he's found a peaceful state of rest.
Dylan Perez
August 23, 2026