Islam Day Celebrated in Hawaii

– Hundreds of people in the US state of Hawaii have celebrated the island’s first Islam Day in recognition of the rich religious, scientific and cultural contribution of the Muslim world. "It's a historic day. It’s long overdue,” Hakim Ouansafi, president of the Muslim Association of Hawaii, told the Honolulu Advertiser on Friday, September 25.

“It's a day of celebrating our commonality, a day of people of faith and no faith to get together and talk story."
Hundreds of people packed the McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Beach Park on Thursday to celebrate Hawaii's Islam Day.
"We expected 200 to 300, so we're very pleased with the turnout," said Ouansafi.
The Day featured entertainment activities, games for children, free food and a panel discussion on coexistence in a pluralistic society.
The Hawaii state legislature has passed a resolution to mark Islam Day in recognition of the rich religious, scientific and cultural contributions of the Muslim world.
Though adopted overwhelmingly, the resolution sparked debate across the island.
"A lot of people reacted out of fear and ignorance,” said Ouansafi.
“They’ve had a chance to reflect a little bit more and people are coming around."
Hawaii is home to a Muslim community of 3,000.
There are between six to seven million Muslims in the US.

Source: Islam Online