Post 9/11, some Muslims pray in Christian churches
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ALEXANDRIA — In a Catholic church located in the shadow of Mount Vernon, the estate of George Washington, the first US President, a group of Muslim faithful roll out their prayer rugs each week and kneel to pray to Allah.
Polls show that Islam in the United States is mistrusted and associated with violence, and Christian churches actively helping Muslims remain the exception ten years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Yet inspired by their reading of Biblical passages, some US Christians are increasingly reaching out to the Muslim community.
“People true to their Christian faith try to achieve peace in the world,” said Fr. Tom Ferguson at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia. “Hospitality is the first step toward getting to know one another.”
Hundreds of area Muslims have been meeting at a hall in his church since August to pray while their new mosque is being built..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110902com3.html
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