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MOUNT PLEASANT, IOWA -- As the ten year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approach, many Americans are reminded of the feelings brought about that day and the weeks after.  Now, some Muslim-Americans in Iowa are on a mission to break down stereotypes of the Islamic religion resulting from the attacks.

More than 200 students and community members attended a forum held at the Iowa Wesleyan College chapel in Mount Pleasant.

Miriam Amer and her husband Dr. Ayman Amer, both Muslim-Americans from Cedar Rapids, held a presentation and even took questions from the audience about Muslims

The Amer’s have one goal when they talk to the community.

“We’re the same as everyone else,” said Miriam.  “My job is to make sure that people understand that we’re not this fifth column that certain political entities are trying to make us look like.”

One thing that worries Miriam is what she believes is rhetoric used to score political points in elections.

“There’s been a lot of attacks (on Muslims), specifically people who are using Islam as a drumming point for them to get political power.”

Joy Lapp, an assistant professor of religion at Iowa Wesleyan College, says it’s events like this that help educate people about Muslims.

“My main focus has often been helping students have contact with Muslims,” said Lapp.

She also encourages students to visit Mosques and she says students start to believe that Muslim-Americans are like every other type of American.

Dr. Amer says the freedom of religion and liberty are two things that make this country great.

“The founding documents say all people are created equal and they have the right to their religion, to their belief, their liberty, their life and that is true of the United States,” said Dr. Amer.  “That’s the original principles of the U.S. and how the U.S. was founded.”

The forum lasted a little less than an hour concluding with a Q&A segment.  Although the Amer’s have faced prejudices against them, they say they love living in Iowa.  They continue to speak at different events helping answer questions that community members have about Muslims and the Islamic faith.