Inter-faith Prayer For Peace
By: Shamshad Khan
AAIC, "Greenway
Masjid" community like other Muslim
communities in the US, actively
seeks and participates in interfaith
events to promote understanding and
peace.
The celebration of peace that took
place on October 27th, 2011 at Saint
Mary's Basilica Church in downtown
Phoenix was another example of
Greenway Masjid's commitment and
dedication to its community and
willingness to work with other faith
communities in building a better
society.
After the attendees had taken their
seats, the faith leaders walked from
the back of the hall to the stage
with their religious texts or other
symbols in their hands. Our Imam had
a copy of the Quran al Kareem. After
a brief introduction of the event,
various faiths and their messages of
peace were represented in the form
of a skit. Imam Didmar Faja read a
few lines from a script and also
recited Surah Al Fatihah in his
beautiful voice. There were
recitations and chanting performed
by other faith communities;
Christian, Jewish, Hindus and
Buddhists. Also, there was a musical
with the candle lights in which
everybody participated.
Afterwards there was a reception and
snacks where we were able to
interact informally with other
people. Many of them thanked us for
participating at the event and for
the Quran books that were given as
gifts to some of the attendees. Many
of them expressed their appreciation
for Islam and its peaceful teachings
as well. We also felt that this was
a good opportunity for us to help
others understand the true message
of Islam and interact with Muslims
first hand.
A pleasant surprise was to know that
the Hindu Priest's second son years
ago reverted to Islam. We hope that
inter-faith activities like this
will be often in the future and more
of our community members will
participate in such events.
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