National Cathedral used for Friday Noon Prayers (U.S. Muslims lead own Jumu'ah) - Nov. 14, 2014 - Washington, D.C.

The National Cathedral welcomes representatives from five Muslim groups to pray in the Cathedral this Friday. The traditional Friday prayers, or Jumu'ah, will be said in the north transept, an area of the Cathedral with arches and limited iconography that provide an ideal space—almost mosque-like—with the appropriate orientation for Muslim prayers. The sermon will be offered by Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool from South Africa. The Rev. Canon Gina Gilland Campbell will offer the Cathedral’s welcome.

The service is by invitation only but will be webcast live. Due to the service, touring at the Cathedral will begin at 2 p.m.

This historic service comes out of Canon Campbell’s deep belief that powerful things come out of praying together. When people of faith come together in prayer, relationships and opportunities arise that are very different from political or academic collaboration.

Leaders believe offering Muslim prayers at the Christian cathedral shows more than hospitality. It demonstrates an appreciation of one another’s prayer traditions and is a powerful symbolic gesture toward a deeper relationship between the two Abrahamic traditions.

The opportunity grew out of a trusted relationship between Campbell and Rasool, who met while planning the national memorial service for Nelson Mandela. Rasool, who is also an Islamic religious thinker and leader, brought together Muslim leaders from the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS), Masjid Muhammad (the Nation’s Mosque), the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), The Nation’s Mosque and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) for this historic event.

The Cathedral has welcomed Muslims in the past, often at interfaith services and events, as well as at the Interfaith Conference of Greater Washington’s annual concert and specific programs such as the 2008 Ramadan Iftar at the Cathedral College. But this is the first time the Cathedral has invited Muslims to come and lead their own prayers in a space known as a house of prayer for all people.