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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
January 2002 |
Islamic leader: U.S. holds hope for harmony
UMC shows leadership in understanding Islam
By Lynne DeMichele
Editor, Hoosier United Methodist News
PLAINFIELD, Ind. -- All children of Abraham, Christians and Muslims, nevertheless, have struggled with more than 1,000 years of sibling enmity. The leader of the Islamic movement in the United States says today there is an emerging sense of hope for harmony, even in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
"Here in America there is hope for dialogue," Dr. Sayyid Syeed, director of the Islamic Society of North America, told a gathering of United Methodists recently. They had come to the Center's mosque, here, to worship Nov. 30 before meeting with Sayeed.
"The Methodist Church has shown leadership in America in understanding Islam." Sayeed referred specifically to a brochure published by the General Board of Global Ministries, "Our Muslim Neighbors." There is also a United Methodist Resolution calling on churches to promote and initiate better relations between Christians and Muslims. (United Methodist Book of Resolutions pp. 193 and 743)
A Muslim prayer service
The group of around 50 Indiana United Methodist leaders and their bishop, Woodie W. White, had gathered at the Islamic Center to participate in the regular Friday prayer service before meeting with Sayeed. Within the Center is a mosque, or large prayer room, brightly lit and bare except for carpets on the floor and a microphone for the prayer leader. We were graciously welcomed and assured it was not necessary for the women among us to cover their heads; still most of us wore scarves. The bishop and several others went into the prayer room which was shaped like an eight-pointed star and surmounted by a high dome from which an elaborate crystal chandelier hangs. They sat on carpets with the 200 or so Muslim men gathered for Friday prayers. There were perhaps less than a dozen women who all sat apart at the back of the room.
Shoes had been placed in cubicles in an anteroom. Most of the visiting United Methodists sat on chairs just outside the wide, arched opening to the prayer room. Several young children wandered freely in and out of the room. Older boys sat with the men.
The service, itself, was parallel in many ways to traditional Christian order of worship. It began with a call to prayer (in Arabic), followed by several scriptural references from the Quran and the New Testament (Matt. 5:43 and Rom. 12:19).
While Muslims do not believe in Jesus as savior, they revere him greatly as a prophet. His name was invoked several times in the course of the service, followed each time by "Peace be upon him," the same phrase that follows every mention of Mohammed, the great prophet born 570 years after Christ.
The main message (sermon) given by a "learned and esteemed" local layman, Shahid Athar, focused on forgiveness. "No sin is too big that we cannot seek forgiveness or give forgiveness," he said. "Compassion, love and forgiveness are not unique to Islam," he reminded worshipers. "One of our prophets, Jesus -- Peace be upon him -- taught forgiveness." Further, Athar asserted that "If Osama (bin Laden, accused of masterminding the terrorist attacks) asks God for forgiveness. if there is repentance, then I must forgive him too."
He went on to invoke the spirit of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month which ended Dec. 15. Ramadan "is a gift of God Almighty. to foster righteousness, self restraint and self examination. to reach a higher sense of spirituality. to become a better person." He said. "It brings us closer to God."
Cookies and conversation
Following a liturgy of alternating chanting, kneeling and touching of worshippers' foreheads to the floor, there was a final, formal blessing in Arabic. Then announcements, also a familiar part of any Christian Sunday service. We visitors were individually and warmly greeted by several of the Muslims as they left, then we moved to another part of the Center for conversation with Dr. Sayeed. Even in the midst of Ramadan, in which Muslims fast dawn to dusk, Dr. and Mrs. Sayeed had coffee and chocolate chip cookies ready for us.
Director Sayeed acknowledged that the Islamic Center has had a few anonymous threatening messages following the terrorist bombings. Yet, he was quick to emphasize, there has been an ongoing positive response from various faith groups and individuals, messages of encouragement and solidarity.
Sayeed stressed that the United States is unique among nations in its respect for diversity, and that within that cultural context, dialogue among Christians and Muslims and eventual harmony should be possible. "We worship the same God... and if we can change that relationship (between Christians and Muslims) here, it will have an impact on the rest of mankind."
In a subsequent interview with the Hoosier UM News, Sayeed, he noted that both he, his wife, Rafia, and others, are "more than willing" to come to local United Methodist churches or group meetings to speak or to participate in dialogue. Also, "We have an open invitation to come and worship with us," he emphasized. Regular Friday prayer services are from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m..
Those wishing to arrange for a dialogue or interfaith sharing can call the Islamic Center at 317/839-1824. Ask for Sayeed's administrative assistant, Habibe (pronounced "Habiba") Ali.
For more information, read our sidebars.
Last updated on January 14, 2004