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Washington National Cathedral Holds First Muslim Prayer Service


The Washington National Cathedral held the first Muslim prayer service in its history on November 14.

The service was traditional Friday prayers, or Jumu'ah in Arabic, and representatives of five Muslim groups joined for the event.

The Episcopal cathedral has hosted presidential funerals, inaugural prayer services and other services of national significance. The cathedral itself, while granted a charter by Congress in 1893, receives no funding from the U.S. government.

Muslims have been a part of interfaith services at the cathedral, but this is the first time that Muslims have held their own service.

The sermon was offered by Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool of South Africa, and the Reverend Canon Gina Gilland Campbell offered the Cathedral’s welcome.

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