On May 19 2021, Faribault Rotary Club hosted two guest speakers. Mr. Bashir Omor (picture unavailable) of the Faribault Public Schools gave a presentation about the Eid celebration and the Islamic faith. Following Mr. Omor, Ms. Sissy Yang of the Mayo Health System provided the Club with a briefing on Covid-19.
Mr. Omor thanked the Club for supporting the May 12 Eid celebration at the Faribault Soccer complex. He explained the holiday, noting there are two Eid holidays. The one just completed follows Ramadan in which Muslims fast during the daytime. At the end of the 30 days of Ramadan, the fast is broken and there is a celebration marked by food and special treats for children. The second Eid holiday will be July 19 this year and marks the occasion in which Ibrahim is told to sacrifice his son for God, but God recognizing Ibrahim’s is belief in God switches the son for a ram. This holiday is marked in many Muslim countries with feasts.
Mr. Omor also explained the five pillars of Islam. He said the first pillar is to believe in one God. The second pillar is to participate in prayer five times daily every day. The third pillar is to give alms to the needy. The fourth is the need for fasting and finally, the fifth pillar is going on the Hajj to Mecca. Mr. Omor stressed Muslims believe in the prophets, highlighting he knows the teachings of Jesus Christ, but believes Mohammed is the most important prophet.
Ms. Yang told the Club about the Mayo Clinic’s presence in Faribault and its efforts to assist with early childhood literacy and childhood oral health. She described the different COVID-19 vaccines (mRNA for Pfizer and Moderna and vector for Johnson and Johnson) and discussed some of the factors that may delay a vaccination such as waiting 90 days for a vaccination if the patient had COVID previously or had received COVID antibody therapy.
Ms. Yang noted that Mayo is now offering walk up appointments for vaccinations in Owatonna, Red Wing, Austin, and Albert Lea. In Rice County, as of mid-May data, 32,005 people had received one dose of a vaccine and 26, 345 people had completed the series of vaccinations.
