Americans of Diverse Faiths Hold Joint Services

Nation-wide interfaith prayers in response to terrorist attacks

By Susan Domowitz
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- Across the United States this week, Americans of diverse religious faiths are joining together to hold prayer services, following the unprecedented terrorist attack on September 11.

From New York and Washington to small towns across the country, Americans of all faiths held community prayer services and vigils in houses of worship, at schools and universities, in community centers, in parks, and on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

In Los Angeles, the Islamic Center of Southern California hosted two interfaith prayer services in the days after the terrorist attack. Dr. Mahmood Abdel-Baset, director of religious and social services at the Islamic Center of Southern California in Los Angeles, said there was enormous community interest in participating in these interfaith services.

"Everyone realizes that the Muslim community is under some stress, but for every threatening telephone call I've received, I get ten calls of support and compassion from the community," he said.

People come to these interfaith services "to show their support and compassion, to get together as a community," he said.

"The terrorist attack," said Abdel-Baset, "was an attack on our way of life." He noted that the Friday sermon this week would be a "condemnation of terrorism, and a prayer of support for our country" in conjunction with President Bush's call for a "Day of Remembrance" on September 14.

At Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. September 13, an overflow crowd listened to prayers and readings from many religious traditions to commemorate the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks.

"Sharing time in prayer has been central in helping our community cope these past few days," said Georgetown's Reverend Adam E. Bunnell. "Interfaith events like today's are so vital in helping bridge the world's differences and in strengthening our common bond of humanity."

Local leaders of the Baha'i, Hindu-Jain, Islamic, Jewish, Latter-day Saint, Protestant, Roman Catholic and Sikh faith communities conducted the Georgetown University service. Organized by the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington, the service opened with the Islamic call to prayer by a Muslim imam, and closed with the sounding of the shofar by a Jewish cantor. As Imam Yahya Hendi of Georgetown University told his audience, "It's time to act as brothers and sisters," and he urged Americans to "celebrate our diversity."

Other interfaith services in Washington and across the country echoed the same message of unity, compassion, and resolve. At an interfaith service at the Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, Director of Communications David Barrett emphasized the special importance of inclusive interfaith events.

"Dialogue among the faiths is so important, especially at this time. We must work together to make the world a better place," he said.