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Mosques in the greater Washington D.C. metro area plan vigils and remembrances for September 11.
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By
Ayesha Ahmad, IOL Washington Correspondent
WASHINGTON,
September 11 (IslamOnline) - Mosques in the nation’s capital region
are holding special services Wednesday, September 11, in remembrance of
September 11, including vigils and interfaith prayer services.
At
the Islamic Center of Washington, where U.S. President George W. Bush
visited the week following the attacks last year, special prayer
services will be held after the noon prayer, according to Fatimah
Goodwin, an administrator in the mosque’s office.
“We
are planning a special prayer tomorrow right after Dhuhr for the victims
of 9/11,” she said, “followed by speech from the Algerian
ambassador, and Mr. Clark Lobenstine, president of the [Washington]
Interfaith Council.”
Goodwin
said that the event was open to the public, and all the ambassadors from
Muslim countries were invited to attend the services.
In
nearby Sterling, Virginia, the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS)
Center is hosting an interfaith vigil Wednesday afternoon.
“It
has been a year since the tragic events of September 11th,” an
announcement posted on the ADAMS Center’s website reads. “In memory
of the tragedy and to reflect on how it has affected us all, ADAMS will
be holding an Interfaith Vigil on the anniversary of the event.”
The
community will provide a “Peace Through Understanding” banner for
visitors to sign with their own messages of peace. The announcement
encourages visitors to meet community members of all faiths and
“express your thoughts concerns and hopes. Share your reflections on
how the past year has affected you personally.”
The
ADAMS Center is also hosting an open house on Saturday, September 15.
In
Silver Spring, Maryland, about half an hour from the capital, the Muslim
Community Center (MCC) is hosting an interfaith prayer meeting on
Wednesday evening - a “Remembrance and Prayer for Victims of 9/11
Attacks.”
Masjid
Muhammad in Washington, D.C. is planning a service for Wednesday as
well. Dar us-Salaam in College Park, Maryland, would not comment on its
plans, and Dar al-Hijrah in Falls Church, Virginia, was unavailable for
comment.
