One Town, One Heart, Ten Cultures

You would not expect much unity and harmony in a small town, but that is exactly what we have here in Sugar Land, Texas. Although Sugar Land is not exactly small with a population exceeding 88,000 there is certainly the feel of a “small town” within those city lines. One is unlikely to fill gas or get groceries without bumping into someone you went to high school with. There are many different types of people living side by side; like folks who displayed TRUMP lawn ornaments and there are many who vocally opposed him with every ounce of their fibre. There are athletes, fine arts connoisseurs, and working blue-collar people. It is truly one of the most diverse places in America and this is apparent in every corner of the city. So how did Sugar Land get its name? The story begins in 1823, when the pioneer Stephen F. Austin settled 300 American families in modern-day Fort Bend County via a Mexican land grant. In the following decades leading up to the Civil War, sugarcane became the region’s bread and butter, and Fort Bend County, and its surrounding counties, collectively became known as the Texas Sugar Bowl. As the years passed, the sugar factory  eventually became defunct and was no longer the primary source of money for the city. The old sugar mill sat abandoned and dark; its boom was replaced on either side by oil  and gas companies such as Schlumberger and Nalco. Engineering giant Flour built its campus in the heart of the city as well. In this bustling and busy town people still smile at each other and display that southern hospitality that most big cities lack. The city has around six mosques, 15 churches, three hindu temples, and two synagogues all within a 32-mile radius and at least twice a year there are major interfaith events in town where leaders of various faiths come together to promote unity and togetherness.  On November 14^th 2017, a church in Sugar Land hosted one the largest interfaith events of the year. Muslims took part in a Jewish dance, Hindus sang alongside Christians, and Buddhists handed out blessings to all. Starting from various dances, to Love-Joy Drummers and even an invocation from the Sojo Circle, people from all religious backgrounds gathered to put their theological differences aside at the annual event organised by Interfaith Alliance Texas and the church. After the fun, event-goers gathered in the welcome center for a reception that featured food, drinks and dessert from different cultures that were present at the church. With more than ten religious groups taking part in sharing a bit about their beliefs, the event was also a chance to learn something new. A table set up with various faith symbols served as a metaphor that all faiths are welcome in this town — from Christians and Sufis to Jews and Buddhists.

In 2016 when a local cheerleading gym on the same street as Maryam Islamic Center burned down, the first group to step up and donate to the rebuilding was the mosque which demonstrated  unity and trust in our neighbors. Take for instance the Hurricane Harvey in Houston and the surrounding areas, which included Sugar Land. With thousands of people displaced and homeless, men and women stood together and lifted one another up from the mud and restored this flooded city back to health and beauty. There was a sense of impending doom as the hours turned into minutes before the storm hit—- but all the communities came together for one common goal. With the Caucasian man who had a TRUMP banner hanging outside his home to the Middle Eastern family who had just arrived to the city, these brave people brought down racial barriers that were stuck in place for countless years to help one another in a time of dire need. We may have our political differences but a cowboy will still pull his truck over to help an old Muslim woman with a flat tire on her Toyota. The community shares one similar sentiment: exposure to other faiths, beliefs, and cultures are an integral part of being an American citizen.