Muslims are planning to hold an 'Islam on Capitol Hill' prayer service at the U.S. Capitol on 25 September 2009.
In his inaugural address in January 2009, incoming President Barack Obama said:To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.President Obama's words inspired Hassen Abdellah, an attorney who is the president of Dar UI Islam mosque in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to organize the staging of a prayer service at the U.S. Capitol, during which Muslims could pray 'for the soul of America.' The Islam on Capitol Hill gathering is scheduled to take place on 25 September 2009, during which, the event's organizers advertise, the following will occur:The Athan will be chanted on Capitol Hill, echoing off of the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and other great edifices that surround Capitol Hill. Thousands of Muslims from all races, creeds, colors and ethnicities will gather for the sole purpose of prayer. Bonds of friendship will be formed between those in attendance, both Muslims and Non-Muslims. Muslim youth will experience tours of the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court. The peace, beauty and solidarity of Islam will shine through America's capitol.Hassen Abdellah affirmed that no political events are planned in association with the gathering, and that everyone, not just Muslims, is welcome to attend:The event will not include political speeches or placards, just prayer, said Hassen Abdellah, president of Dar-ul-Islam and a main organizer of the Sept. 25 event. 'Most of the time, when Muslims go to Washington, D.C., they go there to protest some type of event,' Abdellah said. 'This is not a protest. Never has the Islamic community prayed on Capitol Hill for the soul of America. We're Americans. We need to change the face of Islam so people don't feel every Muslim believes America is 'the great Satan,' because we love America.' A permit from the U.S. Capitol Police, issued July 28, grants access to the area by the West Front of the Capitol from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 25, but the Friday prayer service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Abdellah said that he hopes to draw 50,000 people from mosques across the country and that non-Muslims are welcome, too. 'This is not about personalities,' Abdellah said. 'We don't want personalities involved. The personality for this event is the Prophet Muhammad.'Contrary to claims made in some versions of this message, the referenced prayer service is not taking place at, nor has it been officially sanctioned by, the White House - the Islam on Capitol Hill event is an independently organized one which will be held on public grounds at the West Front of the Capitol. (Also, although the White House did not host an ecumenical service on the National Day of Prayer in 2009 as it did in previous years, the observance of the National Day of Prayer itself was not cancelled.)
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