National Cathedral�s first Muslim prayer service interrupted by heckler

Posted : 14 Nov, 2014 05:41 PM

National Cathedral�s first Muslim prayer service interrupted by heckler

In a carpeted corner of the National Cathedral, several hundred Muslim worshippers and other invited guests gathered Friday afternoon for a first-ever recitation of weekly Muslim prayers at the iconic Christian church, and to hear leaders of both faiths call for religious unity in the face of extremist violence and hate.

The Arabic call to prayer echoed among the vaulted stone arches and died away, followed by an impassioned sermon from Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa�s ambassador to the U.S., who is a Muslim scholar. Rasool called on Muslims, Christians and others to come together and make �common cause� in the fight against extremists who appropriate Islam.

�We come to this cathedral with sensitivity and humility, but keenly aware that is is not a time for platitudes, because mischief is threatening the world,� Rasool said. �The challenge for us today is to reconstitute a middle ground of good people. . . Whose very existence threatens extremism.�

The event was closed to the public and held under heavy security, with police checking every name and bag. Organizers from several area Muslim institutions said there had been concerns about security and threats after the event was publicized and that they and cathedral officials had wanted to limit it to a small and selected group.

Nevertheless, the carefully scripted ceremony was marred once when a well-dressed middle-aged woman in the audience suddenly stood up and began shouting that �America was founded on Christian principles. . . Leave our church alone!� She was swiftly ushered out by security aides and the service continued.

Numerous speakers, including Cathedral officials and local Muslim leaders, echoed Rasool�s message about the urgent need for religious understanding and collaboration. Most made pointed references to the symbolism of the majestic Christian building, where they had gathered to pray and commune.

Rev. Gary Hall, dean of the Cathedral, spoke of St. Benedict, whom he said believed equally in the importance of prayer and hospitality. Marvelling at the sounds of Arabic prayers, which he called �a beautiful sacred language in a beautiful sacred space,� Hall said he hopes the service would serve as a beginning for future efforts to work together for good.

Other speakers said they hoped the service would help correct American public misperceptions of Muslims as extremists and would reenforce tolerance among faiths.

�Salaam, Shalom, Peace. You are all so very welcome here,� said Rev. Canon Gina Gilland Campbell, the Cathedral�s director of liturgy, in an open greeting.

After the hour long ceremony, soft drinks and sweets were served to the guests, a mixture of people chosen to represent local mosques, churches and synagogues. Many seemed touched by the experience, and several said they hoped the message would reach Muslims and others in the war-torn Middle East.

�I was very moved,� said Arif Ali, a lawyer in the District, who brought his 12-year-old son, Zayd, to the ceremony . �It really makes one think about the common heritage and values in Christianity and Islam.�

Rashid Makhdoom, a retired engineer from Potomac, said he believes the message and symbolism of the event would �reverberate throughout the world. It should be a lesson for Muslims everywhere that we and Christians are all one,� he said.

The service developed out of a relationship between Campbell and Rasool, who worked together on a memorial service for Nelson Mandela. the intent was to make a statement about religious tolerance that would reverberate around the world. The service Friday was covered live by several Arabic language television channels.

It was not without critics, however.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Rev. Franklin Graham, who heads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said �It�s sad to see a church open its doors to worship of anything other than the One True God of the Bible....� As of late Friday, 64,000 people had �liked� the post.

Sourced ~ http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/national-cathedral%e2%80%99s-first-muslim-prayer-service-interrupted-by-heckler/ar-BBdMdoT

*** The Church I attend sublets the use of the facilities to other Denominations of Christianity. A Holy Place of Worship is just that. A place within walls to Worship. God is not limited to living within a Box made by man�s hands.

Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

*** IMHO it is a Bold move on the Universal Chess Board of Life which man is playing and God is Totally in Control of !!! :o) XO

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