Photograph by Ashlee Lynn Deon

Bloomington Muslims are reaching out to the community, hoping to increase understanding between cultures in these troubled times. Muslims across the country see understanding as key to the future.

A mountain of flip-flops, sandals and sneakers builds quickly at the entrance of the Islamic Center of Bloomington. Men and women alike rush inside, whispering excited greetings throughout a room where no one seems a stranger.

And where no one looks alike. Inside the mosque, a flood of people as diverse as the pile of shoes -- Asians, blacks, Egyptians, whites, Saudi Arabians -- cluster around the man about to lead the Friday prayer.

Despite the tiny summer student population, about 60 Muslims stand barefoot in rows on a massive rug, women grouped together in the back and men in the front.

With a single nod from the leader, silence sweeps the room.

Intense scrutiny in the years following 9/11 has caused citizens in Islamic communities across the nation to feel like aliens in their own country. Not to mention the pressure put on actual immigrants.

For some time, many Muslims felt that Bloomington was no exception. But this year, as Ramadan nears, Bloomington's Islamic community hopes that more community involvement will mean a better future.

"You know, lately I have seen some changes for the better, especially in terms of outreach," said IU Professor Faiz Rahman, who often represents the Islamic Center to the media.

He pauses the conversation, closing his eyes and collecting his thoughts, and explains that the aftermath of the terrorist attacks continues today. And Muslim Americans across the country are reaching out to their communities.

"From politics to charity, you cannot find a single mosque not interested in getting more involved," he said.

That thought process is exactly what brings the Bloomington mosque to its current position -- seeking

Photograph by Ashlee Lynn Deon

Among the goals for 2007 that local Muslims like these will pursue are educating the community, working with charities. participating in the political process and helping schools teach about the Muslim faith.

Among the goals for the upcoming year: educating the Bloomington community; working with charities, such as the Monroe County United Way; donating to political campaigns; and helping schools teach children about the Muslim religion.

Talk of a community barbecue in the parking lot of the mosque on East Atwater even surfaced as an idea for smoothing the boundaries between what Rahman said many see as "us" and "them."

He explained that intercommunity involvement is key to making Muslims in Bloomington more understood.

"Sometimes I am afraid as a Muslim in America," the 42-year-old Bangladesh native said in his office. "We need to take the time to meet all of our neighbors for our own safety. If something like 9/11 ever happened again, who can best defend a Muslim in a culture where our religion is the minority, another Muslim or a Christian?"

A fading smile accompanies the troubled look on Rahman's face as he explains that no outreach can fix what he sees as the primary problems -- a lack of attention from local media and a misunderstanding on both sides.

He attributes fault to both the media and the community.

"I don't blame the media only," he said. "I know there is a language barrier and a fear factor in dealing with America's media. I find quite a bit of mistrust in talking."

Rahman's apprehension is deeply rooted in an attack on the center two summers ago.

In July 2005, the lower-level windows of the mosque were shattered by rocks, followed by a Mountain Dew bottle full of combustible fluid, used as a bomb.

The kitchen area burst into flames, and though the fire was immediately reported and the damage not extensive, the effect

Photograph by Ashlee Lynn Deon

The Islamic Center of Bloomington is a place of worship for Bloomington's Muslim community.

Citizens from all walks and religions gathered in peace walks to the mosque following the attack in acts of solidarity.

And while this sense of unity was profound, some feel the community must pull together more.

"It is important to me to know my neighbors and learn about other religions," said Andrea, a Muslim from Germany. "That is the best way to unite."

Rahman said vigilance is needed.

"Unity becomes obvious when you have a problem, when you're victimized," he said. "That's when it's common, but it should be all the time."

The Islamic Center, along with the IU Muslim Student Association (IUMSA), a non-profit student organization on campus founded in 1997, see outreach as one solution.

"Most immigrants struggle with outreach, not only Muslims," said Rahman. "Not everyone is good at getting out of their 'comfort zone,' but it's needed."

Another solution is inter-religious activities that help spread awareness about other religions, said Heather Akou, who heads the mosque's outreach program.

"We have had several activities with the Catholic church and the Jewish community," she said. "The more we know about each other, the more we realize that we are all only human. We stop seeing each other as the 'other.'"

Akou looks forward to future inter-religious events.

And with Ramadan, which begins Sept. 12, many Muslim students look forward to starting the year engaged.

"I really feel like it's my duty to get involved," said Rahman. "It can mean only one thing, getting to know other people as people."

Ashlee Deon can be reached at adeon@indiana.edu.