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Muslims In Washington Pray For Unity
IslamOnline.net
Worshippers from across the Muslim world â from Morocco to Indonesia â filled a Washington mosque Friday to pray for unity and faith in the face of troubled times. "We are passing through a lot of trouble," imam Abdullah Khouj said. "Such trouble makes wise people puzzled, troubled and gloomy about things." But he urged the worshippers: "Be not divided among yourselves, and hold tight to the rope" of faith tying Muslims to Allah. An international collection of flags hanging outside the Islamic Cultural Center in northwest Washington was reflected in the range of nationalities sharing chicken and rice in the courtyard after the prayers. Mohamed Abukela, an Egyptian, said that the imam's message â "Muslims have to be united" â gave solace to worshippers who don't know what's right.
| Where's the part about "we're all Americans"? Or aren't they? |
One worshipper said the imam was referring to the "trouble that many nations are feeling at this moment" while urging the faithful to seek truth through introspection over the war in Iraq and its aftermath. She said Muslims were asking themselves: "What have we done that merits a calamity like this?"
| What are you thinking, that you consider it a calamity? |
The woman, an Indonesian, said she was saddened by Friday's news that an infrastructure contract had been awarded to Bechtel National worth up to 680 million dollars. "To us it's like eagles seeing their prey," she said, gesturing with her hands formed into a raptor's talons. "Even when the earth is still red (from war), already people are competing in snatching the reconstruction projects. It is a public secret that this war (in Iraq) is unjust."
| Even while the earth is still red, we're beginning reconstruction. Who did she think was going to do the reconstruction? The Baathists? The "government" â American or (not-yet existent) Iraqi? Companies do things. That's why they exist. You give them money and they turn it into structures, systems, or what have you. They hire people, to include local people, and they give them a part of the money they received. Their employees — the people they hired — get to buy groceries, support their families, and go bowling. I still haven't figured what's had about that. |
A Sudanese worshipper, Elnur Khudur of Sudan: "I believe democracy will be established in Iraq (but) I don't believe they will be loyal to USA. They have been ruled by the British; I don't think they will again accept any sort of foreign rule in Iraq." Recalling the imam's sermon, Kadari explained: "You cannot break the direct link between the human being and God. God created us to help people."
| So send your resume to Bechtel. They're hiring. |
Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2003-04-19 |
