Two nights ago, the azan, or Muslim call to prayer, was heard in the small town of Boone, North Carolina.
It was not the first time. It's also no longer unfamiliar to the residents of the High Country, the headquarters of the largest Evangelical Christian community.
The iftar or the breaking of fast for the growing Muslim community has become something of a regular event since the opening of the first mosque or Islamic Centre in July last year.
Among the congregation was Marina Mustafa Batchelor, 50, who was one of those instrumental in making this centre a reality — a hope she and her parents had fervently prayed for since her arrival in the town almost 16 years ago.
It was love and marriage that brought Marina, a Teluk Intan girl, to Boone in 2007.
When Marina's parents visited her and her husband, Dr Colin Bradley Batchelor, they had to drive almost 2 hours away for the nearest mosque in Charlotte for Friday prayers and to get their supply of halal meat.
Marina, whose background is in engineering, has both a degree and masters in economics, had hoped that one day there would be a mosque or Islamic centre which could draw Muslims from nearby areas.
This dream was only realised last year. It was also the first time that Boone first heard the azan.
Marina said it was a dream she had shared with another pioneer of the centre, Dr Khurram Tariq.
Marina, a cancer survivor, had read about Dr Tariq, a new haematologist and an oncologist in Boone and made an appointment to see him,
"His name sounded Muslim and I was curious," she said.
Suffice to say, the discussion at the clinic did not touch much on her state of health. Both were determined to find a space for Muslims to gather and perform Friday prayers.
A chat group of like-minded people was soon set up and a space was acquired to invite Muslim students and professors from the nearby Appalachian State University.
They decided that the best way was to hold an iftar session. Marina and Dr Tariq's mother cooked for the occasion held at a rented top floor of the Boone Professional Centre.
The response was overwhelming.
The local church, which had been looking for a Muslim community to connect some refugees with, sent two Afghan refugee families.
One of the refugees happened to be an imam from Kabul, whose call to prayer is now familiar to the residents there.
Dr Tariq also recalled the first session last year at what was supposed to be their temporary place for prayers and gatherings.
"It was a week of many firsts. For Marina, it was overwhelming that in her 15 years of living in Boone, it was the first time that Muslims had gotten together like this.
"For another guest, it was the first time his son had heard the call to prayer.
"It was a very emotional moment for all of us," Dr Tariq told a local newspaper, whose article drew a lot of interest.
In a WhatsApp message, Dr Tariq said: "The coming together of our community and the establishment of our Islamic Centre have been a series of small miracles, like pearls strung together, demonstrating that Allah is the best of planners.
"Allah has shown his kindness in various ways. Sister Marina, who has lived here for over 15 years, suffered from loneliness and depression as (she was) the only Muslim in the area, especially during the unforgiving winters. Despite her personal struggles with breast cancer, Allah fulfilled her wish to establish the Islamic Centre."
Rental and maintenance became a problem that was quickly solved by the generosity of the congregation determined to see their mosque or Islamic Centre become a reality.
Marina's family back home also contributed to the funds.
A generous fellow Muslim bought a large fridge and freezer to store halal meat. They use furniture donated by members of the congregation.
Very quickly, a Muslim community began emerging; a local Indian restaurant decided to offer halal food and a Japanese restaurant, which had been in existence for 24 years, was taken over by Indonesian Muslims who also catered halal food.
The Muslim community began to grow and their concern about Islamophobia and reception by the locals proved to be unfounded.
There was an isolated case where a man broke into the building and screamed profanities at them.
A synagogue invited Marina and Dr Tariq to attend their Hanukkah festival to get to know them better, while the Boone Police Department offered them protection.
The police chief also took the opportunity to attend their events while engaging in get-to-know sessions for his officers.
"Since the establishment of the mosque, seven locals had taken the 'syahadah' (conversion to Islam)," said Marina, who now works in healthcare.
Earlier this year, Marina and Dr Tariq led the first group from the Muslim community in Boone to perform their umrah (minor pilgrimage).
According to Dr Tariq, "Our Masjid has helped spread the truth about Islam and welcomed several Christian brothers and sisters as new Muslims. We are grateful to Allah for the blessings he has bestowed upon us and look forward to the continued growth of our community."
The oncologist plans to give back to the community by setting up a free healthcare clinic for those who couldn't afford medical insurance.
Dr Tariq and Marina are also planning to get a bigger mosque to accommodate the growing Muslim community.
"The prayer area is small. We noticed that some men would leave behind their wives and children because there's no space for them.
"We need to look for funds to get a bigger mosque," said Marina, who was hopeful that this will also become reality soon.
For Marina, the call to azan that fills the spring air in Boone is, in her own words, "a big deal".
"I dedicate this mosque to my parents, who never stopped praying that one day there will be a mosque and a Muslim community where I live. Where my daughter can grow up and understand Islam.
"They cried when they first heard about this. I hope they can travel to Boone again to pray in this mosque," she said.
Sixteen years to realise a dream didn't seem too long for Marina, especially when within two Ramadans, the response and acceptance had been overwhelming and encouraging.
