(RNS1-SEPT25) An estimated 3,500 Muslims gathered on Sept. 25 at the foot of the U.S. Capitol for a first-ever "Islam on Capitol Hill" prayer rally. For use with RNS-MUSLIMS-PRAY, transmitted Sept. 25, 2009. Religion News Service photo by Nick Kirkpatrick. |
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(RNS2-SEPT25) An estimated 3,500 Muslims gathered on Sept. 25 at the foot of the U.S. Capitol for a first-ever "Islam on Capitol Hill" prayer rally. For use with RNS-MUSLIMS-PRAY, transmitted Sept. 25, 2009. Religion News Service photo by Nick Kirkpatrick. |
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(RNS3-SEPT25) An estimated 3,500 Muslims gathered on Sept. 25 at the foot of the U.S. Capitol for a first-ever "Islam on Capitol Hill" prayer rally. For use with RNS-MUSLIMS-PRAY, transmitted Sept. 25, 2009. Religion News Service photo by Nick Kirkpatrick. |
Download/Purchase this photo
(RNS4-SEPT25) An estimated 3,500 Muslims gathered on Sept. 25 at the foot of the U.S. Capitol for a first-ever "Islam on Capitol Hill" prayer rally. For use with RNS-MUSLIMS-PRAY, transmitted Sept. 25, 2009. Religion News Service photo by Angela Abbamonte. |
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September 25, 2009
NEWS STORY
Muslims pray for ‘soul of America’ at Capitol
By Kevin Eckstrom
WASHINGTON—Swapping prayer rugs for massive plastic rain tarps, an estimated 3,500 Muslims gathered at the foot of the U.S. Capitol on Friday (Sept. 25) to pray for “the soul of America” in a grassroots demonstration of religious and national pride.
The rally, organized by the Dar-Ul-Islam mosque in Elizabeth, N.J., was billed as regular Friday “jummah” prayers, but it quickly became a chance for rank-and-file Muslims to publicly witness to their faith and claim their place as American citizens.
“Islam and Muslims will never ever give to America anything except the best,” said Hamad Chebli, the imam, or spiritual leader, of the Islamic Society of Central Jersey in South Brunswick, N.J. “Islam and America will never ever bring anything from their homelands, from their countries, except the best.”
Participants were told that the “Islam on Capitol Hill” rally would not be a political event, and were advised to leave their protest signs at home. Indeed, the only protests came from a few dozen vocal Christian demonstrators with bullhorns shouting from the sidelines.
“The political stuff is not what we’re here for,” said Ahmed Bashir of Newark, N.J., wearing a sweatshirt that said “The Quran: Learn It, Love It, Live It.” “This is not a political statement; this is just our Friday prayers.”
The crowd fell far short of the 50,000 participants organizers had planned for. The event was pulled together without the endorsement of major U.S. Muslim groups, and the two Muslim members of Congress—Democratic Reps. Keith Ellison of Minnesota and Andre Carson of Indiana—did not attend.
The event was bare bones, with no stage, an uncooperative sound system and constant pleas from organizers for attendees to sit down and stop talking. Men sat on the left, and women on the right, as participants performed ritual pre-prayer washing with plastic bottles of water.
But participants said the low attendance numbers and lack of organizational support did not distract from the enthusiasm they felt for being part of the first-ever Friday prayers on the Capitol grounds. Many said the event may help ease concerns about America’s increasingly visible Muslim population.
“I love this flag,” said Azizah Abdullah of Rustburg, Va., who wore a stars-and-stripes hijab around her head. “This is my flag, too.”
Speakers at the rally deliberately downplayed politics, sensitive topics and mentions of terrorism. Abdul Malik, a frequent preacher at mosques in New Jersey and New York, voiced praise for President Obama and urged Muslim doctors to provide free medical care, but largely steered clear of hot-button issues.
At the same time, participants said they wanted the rally to showcase the diversity and patriotism of U.S. Muslims, as well as dispel myths about a faith that is still foreign to many Americans.
“We are here for the Muslims, but we’re also here for humanity,” said Rachel Foye, a Muslim convert from Newark. “We’re here to be part of the solution, not the problem.” Her friend, Hamidah Abdullah, piped in, saying, “And to show that we’re not terrorists. Islam means peace."
Still, not everyone was convinced. Vocal Christian protestors carried signs reading “Islam Is A Lie” and argued with Capitol Police who tried to keep them at a distance. Critics had accused the event’s chief organizer, attorney Hassen Abdellah, of defending terrorists in court.
On Thursday evening, officials from the Family Research Council and the National Day of Prayer Task Force hosted a national call-in prayer-a-thon in which one woman prayed, “We take together (God’s) sword and break the sword of Islam over this nation, and we loose forth the blood-drenched sword of Jesus Christ.”
Organizers of the call introduced a girl identified as Rifqa Bary, the 17-year-old Ohio girl at the center of a custody dispute after she converted to Christianity, fled to Florida and sought shelter from a Christian pastor and his wife. The girl grew emotional when she was asked to pray for Muslims to embrace Christianity.
“I cry out on behalf of my people, Jesus,” she prayed. “Would you expose the lies ... send forth fire from heaven and ... break their hardened hearts.”
Addressing the handful of Christian protestors at the rally, Abdellah pleaded for understanding.
“We would never come to a prayer meeting that you have to make a disturbance,” he said. “Please show some respect because for us, this is a sacred moment on a sacred day. Just as your Sunday is sacred, our Friday is sacred.”
In his sermon, Malik, the New York preacher, denounced violence in the name of Islam, or any religion, and said “We Muslims must seek the higher ground.” He also appealed to Muslims to become more visible in their schools, jobs and communities.
“America is not perfect,” he said, “but there is nowhere else on the planet where we could do what we’re doing here today.”
Comments
I have studied Islam since that infamous day of 9/11. I have read the Qur’an, Sunnah, Ahidith, Sira and Taqiyya. I have never found a lesson in the Qur’an on Morality, Justice, or Love of Neighbor.
I have found some suras that look nice on the surface, suras that mention “good,” “just,” and “justice.” However, by reading many other suras, I have found that “just,” “good,” and “justice” have entirely different meanings than the definitions of Christians. Examples follow:
“And he made you (all the Muslims) heirs of their lands, their houses, and their goods, and of a land which ye had not frequented. And Allah has power over all things,"(Sura 33 Verse 27).
“I will instill terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers:smite ye above the necks and smite all their (finger) tips off them,"(Sura 8 Verse 12).
“O ye who believe, fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty,"(Sura 9 Verse 123).
“As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hand, a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crimes, and Allah is exalted in power,"(Sura 5 Verse 38).
All together, there are 109 violent passages in the Qur’an similar to the above. This is what I have discovered since 9/11. Islam is very deceptive. I have discovered that good and wholesome Muslims are not practicing the religion of Islam. I have discovered that very evil Muslims are practicing the religion of Islam. Yes, you read that correctly. Read it again. Like I said, Islam is very deceptive, and that’s why there is much confusion both for Islamists and non Islamists. I have discovered that Allah cannot possiblY be the God of the Christians and Jews because Allah teaches only evil. On the other hand, the True God teaches the Ten Commandments. Islam teaches the extreme opposite. Is there much confusion? YOU BET!!!
Posted by Philip Saenz—September 25, 2009, 10:21 pm
They hold certain things to be sacred.....no abortion, no womens rights to speak of and no homosexuality. Why are they so against these things?
Posted by newman54—September 25, 2009, 11:08 pm
newman54, where do you find that written in the Qur’an? Where is the lesson in the Qur’an on Morality, Justice, or the Love of Neighbor?
Why is relegating women to second class status sacred? That doesn’t make sense. Why is homosexuality sacred? That, too, doesn’t make sense. I do know that Islam hangs homosexuals. I do know that Islam hangs people on mere suspicion of homosexuality. Why is that fair?
I commend Muslims for not believing in abortion. But I question their motive since the Qur’an teaches hatred. The Qur’an consistently teaches to “make war against the infidel.” Are the Muslims against abortion because they need an army to “make war against the infidel”?
Posted by Philip Saenz—September 26, 2009, 5:46 am
Google “the battle of lepanto” and read some interesting history connected to praying the rosary and what effect it had on this battle.
Posted by newman54—September 27, 2009, 10:01 am
Nowhere else on the planet? They could pray on the lawn of the Parliament buildings in Ottawa just a few hundred kilometres away and no one would pay attention.
More American exceptionalism.
Posted by Patrick Clare—September 30, 2009, 7:31 am
Since someone asked for more info on this.....please google “year of the rosary-miracle of lepanto” and read the whole story. Then go buy a rosary and start praying the gospels on it.It is the most powerful prayer in the world. Now....back to the main topic.
Posted by newman54—September 30, 2009, 8:49 am
