International Quranic Open University

 and Muslims of the Americas Inc.

                                                                                                Refuting the lies and exposing the frauds brought about by the vested interests which seem to have no end..

By M. Jamaal Abdul-Wahid

Islamic POst

YORK, Sc – A historical event has taken place in York, South Carolina, involving Muslims and Christians: A day of interfaith dialogue and fellowship.

On Sunday, August 1^st, 2004, the first of many interfaith gatherings commenced at Bethelwoods Camp, hosting almost one hundred guests from various religious backgrounds.

Christians of the Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, and Baptist denominations participated in the day of fellowship, titled: “Catholics, Muslims, and Protestants: A Time to Pray and Fellowship Together.”

In the Holy Qur’an, Almighty Allah commands Muslim-Christian dialogue where he says to “come to a word common between us and you that we worship none but Allah, that we associate nothing with Him and that some of us do not take some others as lords instead of Allah.” (Surah Aal-e-Imran)

By the guidance of His Eminence, El-Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani, residents of Holy Islamville, SC took heed and answered the call for Muslim-Christian relations, attending and participating in the event.

A wide range of people were present, including clergymen from the Catholic, Presbyterian, and Lutheran churches; prison chaplains and citizens who are genuinely concerned about the state of affairs in America and the improvement of Muslim-Christian relations in America, beginning on a local level.

Many who came from more than two hours away just to be a part of the gathering and meet and know more about their Muslim neighbors.

The assembly began in the afternoon with an orientation, initiated by prayers led by Dr. Rev. Sam McGregor, who is also one of the members of the planning committee followed by a session of introductions to one another.

After the period of conversation, the time for Salaat al-Zuhr came in and congregational Salaat was performed, amongst the men. For many of the non-Muslim attendees, it was the first time they witnessed the Islamic method of prayer. After the Salaat was completed, a few curiosities expressed in regards to the meaning of the Islamic manners of worship, all of which led to very good conversations amongst everyone when refreshments were served.

After the refreshments, there was an open period where some went to participate in recreational activities, though most stayed for informal conversation.

This interfaith gathering was far different from the ones that are broadcast on the commercialized venues. Usually one hears about such gatherings in the aftermath of a major catastrophe or some form of damage control. Allah be praised, this gathering was conducted during good times!

By the blessings of the Almighty, very good relations were formed and the occasion yielded very good results.

A ladies’ group from a nearby Presbyterian Church has voiced that they would like the honor of visiting the ladies of Holy Islamville, to experience the Islamic culture & bonding with their new Muslim acquaintances, with whom they became very impressed with, especially the youth.  “I have to admit that I was absolutely astonished with how intelligent and mature the young ladies are,” exclaimed some of the participants.

The interactions and dialogue with our Christian neighbors was very informative and beneficial in removing the negative stereotypes upon Muslims set by the media.

Due to the suppression of facts & information by the media, many are unaware that sincere, practicing Muslims condemn and speak out against all forms of terrorism and destructive activities perpetrated by those who abuse the name of Al-Islam. This event opened the opportunity for Muslims to give an in-depth insight to our Christian brethren that we condemn any and all forms of terrorism and the Muslims of the Americas have been active in condemning such barbaric acts via press releases and invitations to the media to issue press statements, yet the majority of the media has been suppressing those efforts.

Many social contacts were also the results of the interfaith gathering. There will be more such days of interfaith fellowship in the very near future. Rev. McGregor also expressed that he is very eager to see that an interfaith council be established, inviting all of those who attended to be a part of its formation and activity.

Perhaps the most positive result came via an encounter that Fatimah Nurallah experienced in a department store a short time after the interfaith gathering: “I was shopping in the store and a young couple I have never seen before approached me and conveyed the Muslim greeting of As-Salaamu Alaikum.  I thought it was odd, but didn’t pay it very much mind, but then another young couple came up to me in the store and also conveyed to me the greeting. I then asked them where they learned to say the proper greeting to Muslims. They replied, ‘our minister taught that to us after he learned how to greet Muslims the interfaith gathering he attended on Sunday.”

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