The National Cathedral in downtown D.C. is hosting its first-ever prayer session for Muslims — a historic outreach aimed at building understanding between those of Islam and Christian faiths, church officials said.
Prayer planners say Friday’s service at the Episcopal facility is a bold move that will hopefully lead the two very different faiths to grow their acceptance of each other, The Associated Press reported.
The church has hosted Muslims during past national and interfaith events — but never extended an invitation for them to lead their own prayers, AP said.
It’s a “powerful symbolic gesture,” church spokespeople said, AP reported. And South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool said: “This is a dramatic moment in the world and in Muslim-Christian relations,” AP reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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