(RNS) — As politicians in Washington singled out Somali and Muslim immigrant communities in Minnesota last year, a familiar stereotype resurfaced: Muslims as outsiders and “takers.”
And amid a high-profile investigation into a pandemic-related fraud scheme in the state, advocates say suspicion of Muslims rose and their contributions to Minnesota’s economy, culture and communities were disregarded.
A traveling exhibit called “Inspired Generosity” aims to challenge that. It opened in Minneapolis last week at the Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center Gallery at the University of Minnesota and highlights how Muslims in the U.S. have served their neighbors for decades. First debuted in Atlanta in September 2024, it arrives with new resonance after months of federal immigration enforcement that has shaken the city’s Somali and Muslim neighborhoods.
“People think of Muslims, unfortunately, as proselytizers, takers, that we are not contributing to our country,” said Dilnaz Waraich, president of the WF Fund, a philanthropic group that organized the exhibit. “We need to tell different stories of generosity.”
Inspired Generosity features 50 stories of giving from the American Muslim community. The stories — told through poetry, videos, art and written entries — show the multitude of ways that Muslims have shown up for their neighbors through volunteerism and activism. The exhibit combines national stories with examples from each host city to uplift local impact.
Giving has long been a part of Muslim life. As one of the five pillars of Islam …