Worshippers from across the Muslim world, from Morocco to Indonesia, filled a Washington mosque to pray for unity and faith in the face of troubled times

WASHINGTON, March 18 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Worshippers from across the Muslim world -- from Morocco to Indonesia -- filled a Washington mosque here Friday, April 18, to pray for unity and faith in the face of troubled times.

"We are passing through a lot of trouble," imam Abdullah Khouj said. "Such trouble makes wise people puzzled, troubled and gloomy about things", Agence France-Presse (AFP) said.

But he urged the worshippers: "Be not divided among yourselves, and hold tight to the rope" of faith tying Muslims to Allah.

An international collection of flags hanging outside the Islamic Cultural Center in northwest Washington was reflected in the range of nationalities sharing chicken and rice in the courtyard after the prayers.

Mohamed Abukela, an Egyptian, said that the imam's message -- "Muslims have to be united" -- gave solace to worshippers who don't know what's right.

One worshipper said the imam was referring to the "trouble that many nations are feeling at this moment" while urging the faithful to seek truth through introspection over the war in Iraq and its aftermath.

She said Muslims were asking themselves: "What have we done that merits a calamity like this?"

‘Eagles Seeing Their Prey’

The woman, an Indonesian, said she was saddened by Friday's news that an infrastructure contract had been awarded to Bechtel National worth up to 680 million dollars.

"To us it's like eagles seeing their prey," she said, gesturing with her hands formed into a raptor's talons. "Even when the earth is still red (from war), already people are competing in snatching the reconstruction projects."

"It is a public secret that this war (in Iraq) is unjust," she said.

“Unfulfilled Promises”

Yosuf Mir, from Afghanistan, said he prayed that the United States would keep their promises to the Iraqi people after failing to do so in Afghanistan.

"They promised the same thing to the Afghans. They go over and bomb, and so far, what they promised they don't do."

The multi-lingual Mir, an interpreter at the US District Court in Alexandria, Virigina, said: "It is not right to kill all the Muslims. (President George W.) Bush went there because he had a personal vendetta against that man (Saddam Hussein). Going over there destroying the country and killing people is no good."

Mir added: "They destroyed Iraq. I hope they rebuild it and keep their promises."

Aisata DuBose, an African American who works at the State Department here, said she is drawn to the mosque in northwest Washington because it offers "a very good example of diversity."

Pleading ignorance of world affairs -- "I leave those matters to God" -- she added that Islam "is the best religion on earth to teach universality".

Karim Kadari, a youthful Moroccan, said: "I am very happy for the Iraqi people (that Saddam has been ousted). But I hope it is they who decide their future. Those people (Iraqis) are very difficult to understand. They are from an ancient tradition, a land of culture. Even after 40 years you won't understand them."

A Sudanese worshipper, Elnur Khudur of Sudan, was inclined to agree: "I believe democracy will be established in Iraq (but) I don't believe they will be loyal to USA. They have been ruled by the British; I don't think they will again accept any sort of foreign rule in Iraq."

Recalling the imam's sermon, Kadari explained: "You cannot break the direct link between the human being and God. God created us to help people."