The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
A daily ritual at the General Assembly became an occasion for protest Thursday.
The Senate and House of Delegates open each day's session with a prayer, usually given by a member of the clergy at a lawmaker's invitation.
Thursday's prayer in the House was given by a Muslim cleric, Imam Johari
Abdul-Malik, director of community outreach at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, at the invitation of Del. Adam Ebbin, D-Arlington County.
The prayer was, in part, a call for inclusion.
"Give us the strength to go beyond tolerance to understanding," Abdul-Malik said.
About 10 of the 100 delegates, all Republicans, were not in their seats. While some declined to comment on their absence, others acknowledged that they stayed away because of who was giving the prayer.
"Some of the activities that have been associated with his mosque I thought ought not to be recognized," said Del. Lee Ware of Powhatan County.
Two of the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers briefly worshiped at Abdul-Malik's mosque before his tenure there.
Four protesters gathered outside the Capitol before the session, urging lawmakers to boycott the imam's prayer.
In a letter to lawmakers Wednesday, Ebbin said that Abdul-Malik "is well known for his opposition to terrorism of any kind" and that concerns about the imam's appearance had been driven by "false rumors propagated on the Internet."
Pilot writer Julian Walker contributed to this report.
Bill Sizemore, (804) 697-1560, bill.sizemore@pilotonline.com
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John Jay weighs in
I found this quote from John Jay,the first Chief Justice of the United States:
Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers
Some Really Good Posts Here Folks
Aside from a few posts which I would categorize as uninformed or hateful I would recommend anyone with a strong opinion on this issue take the time to look at ALL of the posts. I disagree with many of them but understand the passion. The posts range from anti-Islam, to pro-Christian, to founding father stuff, and killing in the name of religion. Mix in a few posts that discuss some of the great philosophers from which we our forefathers based our much of our Constitutional development and there is some really good stuff.
1st Prayer of Congress in Carpenters Hall Dec 7,177
"Be thou present O,God of wisdom and direct the council of the Honorable Assembly:enable them to settle all things on the best and surest foundations:that the scene of blood may be speadily closed;that Order,harmony, and Peace may be effectually restored, and Truth,and justice, religion, and Diety prevail and flourish among the people. Preserve the health of their bodies, and the vigor of their minds, shower down on them and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessings as thou seest expedient for them in this world, and crown them with everlasting Glory in the world to come.All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ thy son and Saviour. Amen
Hypocrisy
While Jesus preached a message of inclusivity, modern day Christian evangelists believe in a religion of exclusivity. Look around at all the spit-spewing messages and posts of hate, intolerance, bigotry, and anger simply because one of a different faith offered a prayer. Interesting that it's exactly the kind of reaction that Jesus and his followers experienced.
Amen. This is why true
Amen. This is why true christians would not have a problem with this. But the so-called christians of today are more concerned with exclusion and control of what everyone else is doing. Jesus did not walk the earth and tell everyone that they were wrong if they didn't do or believe in what he was doing but rather told them there was a better way if they so choose to follow. This is why the founding fathers wisely chose not to establish a national religion due to the fact that many different religion were already established here.
He's Using a Mac to give a prayer???
Looking at the pictures, he's Using a MAC to give the prayer from... Allah must be impressed and Steve Jobs must be proud.
I don't know his record
I am willing to bet that Del Ware and the others who "boycotted" the opening prayer are amongst those who would like to see mandatory prayer brought back to public schools, the Ten Comandments displayed in every public edifice, that military chaplains be able to invoke Jesus' name in their "public, non-sectarian setting, prayers, (I am not referring to religious services and funerals) and on and on .... but when faced with someone of a different faith offering a prayer for understanding and wisdom somehow feel threatened by that very prayer.
Now Del Ware you can't have it both ways. You either embrace prayer (in whatever fashion) in public settings or you don't. There are many in this country who do not belong to the Christian faith but politely attend events and listen to prayers from various religious figures respectfully and quietly. Frankly if these 10 yokels won't attend this prayer then perhaps its time to do away with the charade. The purpose of these public prayers are not to proselytize, instead they are to invoke our creator's blessings and wisdom upon each and every participant. I am certain my late father, a preacher who had the honor to give the prayer in the H
un-Christian continued
the honor to give the opening prayer in the House of Representatives many years ago would be very disappointed by the un-Christian behavior exhibited by those who knowingly avoided the prayer.
D-Day
Years ago a great Army General addressed our American forces going into harm's way with these words - "And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking". Not Almighty Locke, Plato, Muhammad, or another inconsequential religious or philosophical titan. It is unbelieveable how many of our countrymen have turned against the very grace that has allowed us to become the greatest nation the world has ever seen. I believe it is a result of the dumbing down of the U.S. and the invasion of our educational system by these very people. It seems "chic" to go along to get along these day. Almighty God help us when that grace is no longer ours.
Which Almighty God?
The General didn't mention which 'Almighty God'. Was it the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, etc Almighty God? I don't believe 'God' belongs to one religion.