ALEXANDRIA, Virginia (May 10, 2011) – ICNA was featured on Comedy Central’s prime time show The Daily Show with Jon Stewart last week. They covered cooperation between the Islamic center run by ICNA and the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, both in Alexandria, VA.
ICNA Alexandria Mosque located near Route 1 has been in operation for several years. Last year, the community decided to construct a new mosque on the same property to accommodate the growing Muslim population. In order to begin construction, the older property, which was very small, had to be demolished.
The construction started in summer of 2010 and the mosque administration rented a small place for daily prayers; they found it difficult, however, to rent a hall for Friday prayers. They approached the Aldersgate United Methodist Church and spoke with the Pastor Dr. Rev. Dennis Perry, who immediately offered the church’s multipurpose hall for Muslim prayers services.
In February of this year, FOX News approached the church, asking to record Muslim Friday prayers. The church administration in turn approached ICNA and, after receiving the OK from ICNA Vice President Naeem Baig, FOX News recorded and later aired the Friday prayer on FOX and Friends. The crew asked Mike Huckabee for his opinion on Muslims praying at the church; he responded saying, “As much as I respect the autonomy of each local church, you just wonder, what are they thinking? If the purpose of a church is to push forward the gospel of Jesus Christ, and then you have a Muslim group that says that Jesus Christ and all the people that follow him are a bunch of infidels who should be essentially obliterated, I have a hard time understanding that.” He further said, “Should the church be rented out to show adult movies on the weekend?” The story garnered 3,000 comments online, many enraged, and unleashed an assault of angry mail and phone calls to Aldersgate’s pastors, according the United Methodist Reporter.
In March, Reverend Perry and Naeem Baig were contacted by The Daily Show regarding the controversy created by FOX and Friends and Mike Huckabee. On April 1st, the crew from The Daily Show came and recorded prayers, and, after prayers, John Oliver interviewed Reverend Perry and Naeem Baig.
Rev. Dennis Perry and his assistant, Rev. Jason Micheli, have come under fire from some parishioners for the decision. But Rev. Perry said “I think it’s a step in the right direction. You’ve got to build peace whenever you get the chance. Instead of seeing Muslims as competitors, we need to work together for a common purpose.” The Muslims who offer Friday prayers at Aldersgate have also invited Christians to their mosque.
This is why this country is so beautiful.
lol. cool.
it used to be like this in Jerusalem…
This is great but my small hometown in the Midwest was offering prayers, Eid gatherings, and other Islamic events in the basement of a church in the early 1980s.
Bismillah Rahman Raheem
Salam alaykum,
The whole discussion between the Muslims and members of the church was very beautiful one and it was recorded on video for all to remember.
Unfortunately (as usual) the media wants to put a “spin” on the story by quoting only one or two out of 1,000 who otherwise were quite pleased and happy to see Muslims working for good in the community alongside them for community services.
Where was that in the “media” story?
Peace – salam alaykum,
Yusuf Estes
Guide US TV (now on 3 satellites)
This is great. The Church next to our Mosque in Farmington Hills Michigan, offered us there Parking Lot for the cars, on Fridays. There are also many Good Christians around, as there are many Good Muslims, and people of other faith as well.
Mashallah that’s great.
I guess Huckabie needs an education on the Quranic position of Jesus Christ though. Why do ignorant people get to spew this stuff on TV?
Prophet Mohammmed invited the Christians of Najran to pray in Masjid Nabuvi (Al Aqsa mosque in Madinah). The Christians also prayed with all their symbols and lived for 3 days in the mosque.
This is very important example of interfaith peace and harmony between Muslims and Christians.
The Quran also says in 2:62 (repeated 2 more times) Good Christians or any believer in God who does righteousness will receive their reward. On them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.
I was raised christian and embraced Islam at the age of 27. I believe most Christians are sincere God loving people but are just ignorant about the history of thier own religion and other world beliefs. I hope this clip will inspire people to get educated.
Salaam Alaykum
This is great. I am all for collaboration and understanding to agree to disagree. My worry is that there is always someone or some group who feels it’s their duty to prove the other one wrong which helps to feed animosity. Interesting, there are those who like to feed their egos by debating and forget that sometimes is not what you say but how you say things.
Thank you ICNA for your leadership during very difficult times
Muslims and Christians and Jews worship the ONE god. Whether you call him God or Allah. They are one of the Same. Since the old days the two have lived side by side. When I was young in the late 70’s and 80’s our islamic orginiation used to rent out church. They welcomed us with warm arms and we welcome them. And they will remain eternally gracious to me. The media has created senseless animosity between the religions. The few bad apples in every religion. Media should show the positive side of all to make it a better world. Show the similarites of the world religions and not the differences. It will open everyone’s eyes. Did you know ARABS are CHRISTAINS as they are Muslims.
As-salaaam-o-alaikum WRB;
I commend ICNA for their leadership in furthering the cause of unity among people of different faiths. Islam [obedience to ONE GOD] is NOT a new religion. As Muslims we believe in ALL Prophets of GOD [Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Issac, Joseph, Moses, Jesus & all in-between and lastly Mohammed, peace & blessings of GOD be upon them]. We believe that they were ALL Mulsims [truly obedient to ONE GOD, our Creator]. Rev Mike Huckabee should be corrected that Quran uses a highly respected word “People of the Book” for followers of Jesus & Moses, Peace be upon them; and NOT “Infidels”, as he incorrectly stated.
thanks for the info and the good news, much of what I learn here, thanks friend. greetings from blogger Indonesia.
Salam o ALaikum ! This is actually the beginning
Of an end .when there was a gap of communication between the interfath communities . I think everyone should try to contribute to unite the interfath community ,this is
The best anti dote for the hate monger,s.
One should be the man of the world ,not just
Of the small community or a faith.Love u all
wow Mike Huckabee is a real ignorant guy. FYI Muslims hold Prophet Jesus in high regard.
This is not the first time Muslims and Christians have shared common ground and hopefully it won’t be the last.The Prophet Muhammad(sallahu alayhi wa salaam)sat with the Non-Muslims in the Masjid and had discussions.Muslims,Jews and Christians shared a rich history of co-existence.We all inherited this planet! I say a heart-felt Thank You to all parties involed…CAN WE ALL JUST GET ALONG this too is a good deed!
Hello & PLEASE WAKE-UP MUSLIMS in our USA…
Because, some Members of our US Senate/Congress, including at our US/States-Govt-deptts & ofcourse Most Powerful at our US-Media Propogate LIES & HATRED aganist islam/Muslims, while you all keep saying Yes-Master, while burying heads under Sand….!!
Pls follow our US-Constitution, whereby Slavery is Abolished, therefore, please do NOT act like nice Slaves & please DEMAND Democratic Rights & Equality.
During 60’s we all at our US-Universities Demanded Democratic-Rights/Equality/etc & ONLY then we got it. Best-regards