MISSOULA – Muslim volunteers in Missoula, Montana, found themselves in a race against time, on April 9, to prepare the buffet for “Celebrate Islam Week” event, to spread tolerance and understanding through aromas of shared food.

“These personal connections are critical. We can coexist with differences. People are starting to realize you simply have to honor and celebrate diversity,” Imam Jamal Rahman of Seattle told Missoulian.

Monday’s feast was the second annual event organized by Missoula-based Standing Alongside America’s Muslims, or SALAM (which means “peace” in Arabic).

The exotic smells of dishes from the Islamic World extended far beyond the doors of Missoula’s First Presbyterian Church which hosted the occasion.

Rahman has been initiating similar events nationwide since the 9/11 attacks.

Teamed with a rabbi and a United Church of Christ pastor, known collectively as the Interfaith Amigos, Rahman has been giving TED talks and workshops as a nearly full-time calling.

According to Pew Forum’s 2015 report, Muslims represented 0.5% of the population of Montana.

“A recent survey showed 60% of Americans didn’t want a mosque in their state. Shockingly, most of those said they had also never personally met a Muslim,” Rahman mentioned while hopefully referring to the week as an effective interfaith outreach to eradicate stereotypes based on ignorance.

“Such gatherings help people expand their awareness of others’ needs,” Rahman continued.

Rahman added the gatherings also help people expand their awareness of others’ needs.

“Most conflicts seem based on religious differences. But, the roots are money and power. We’re searching among the branches and leaves for what is hidden in the roots,” Rahman said.