Virginia synagogue doubles as mosque for Ramadan

[Behind the Aegis]

On Friday afternoons, the people coming to pray at this building take off their shoes, unfurl rugs to kneel on and pray in Arabic. The ones that come Friday evenings put on yarmulkes, light candles and pray in Hebrew.

The building is a synagogue on a tree-lined street in suburban Virginia, but for the past few weeks - during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan - it has also been doubling daily as a mosque. Synagogue members suggested their building after hearing the Muslim congregation was looking to rent a place for overflow crowds.

"People look to the Jewish-Muslim relationship as conflict," said All Dulles Area Muslim Society Imam Mohamed Magid, saying it's usually disputes between the two groups in the Middle East that make news. "Here is a story that shatters the stereotype."
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Magid, who grew up in Sudan, said he did not meet someone who was Jewish until after he had moved to the U.S. in his 20s, and he never imagined having such a close relationship with a rabbi. But he said the relationship with the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation has affected him and his members. Beyond being tolerant, the synagogue and its members have been welcoming.

He said one member of the mosque told him, "Next time I see a Jewish person I will not look at them the same."

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[madeline_con]

1. Very sweet.

Mabsut Ramadan and Happy Yom Kippur. :loveya:

[Captain Hilts]

2. What a nice holiday post. nt

[Pirate Smile]

3. That's wonderful - and the most effective way to change hearts and minds.

[Ilsa]

4. Gave you Rec #4. Great story about how peoples' perceptions of

one another can change. I wish the Islam haters in my neck of the woods could see godliness like this in action.

[Pirate Smile]

5. Behind, you should post this in GD so it will get a wider audience. I wish the media would give

this story some wide play. We should send it to CNN, MSNBC, CBS, NBC and ABC.

[autorank]

6. Great post. Thanks k*r

That's typical of the Northern Virginia area which is close to NYC in ethnic and cultural diversity.
The other thing about the area is that it's has about 80% college graduates. This is the way it
should be here and everywhere.

[Enthusiast]

7. This is certainly commendable.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if people everywhere followed the example of these tolerant good few.

[Aristus]

8. I think I'm going to cry. What a wonderful story.

Thank God...

[LeftishBrit]

9. A lovely story. May there be many more like this!

[Doctor_J]

10. Stories like this are the kind that USED to make America

the shining light of tolerance for the world. Thanks for passing this along - a very nice antidote to Lou Dobbs.

[Meeker Morgan]

11. Reminds me of the Jews of Medina. n/t