When a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Michigan had no place to pray after their newly-acquired church had to undergo renovation earlier this year, a local mosque stepped in to help by providing them their much needed space free of cost.
“No charge whatsoever. It’s been a lovely story to live. It has been a beautiful relationship,” said Reverend Kathryn Bert of Unitarian Universalist Association of Greater Lansing.
Imam Sohail Chaudhry of The Islamic Center of East Lansing said, “This has been the Muslim tradition for over 1,400 years — to be hospitable, to take care of your guest.”
The Christian congregants—affiliated with Unitarian Universalist Association of Greater Lansing—had been meeting in their former church for years before they decided to acquire a school property and renovate it as their new house of worship. However, they soon learned that the new space would not only require renovation but also reconstruction; so it would not be available to use for several months.
With a surprise gesture that testified possible solidarity between Muslims and Christians, The Islamic Center of East Lansing—which conducts prayers primarily on Fridays—invited the Unitarian Universalist congregants to use its premises for Sunday services. From April 3 onwards, the Christian congregation continued to meet at the mosque for their Sunday services until finally moving into their recently renovated church on June 5.
Most of the congregants of Unitarian Universalist Association of Greater Lansing had never stepped inside a mosque before this experience, said Bert.
“People were so excited the very first day,” she said.
Before the congregants met at the mosque for the first time, Bert had sought questions from them about expected etiquette, including whether or not women would be required to cover their heads with a veil or a headscarf, as is typical among most Muslims. Before answering the questions, Bert chose to consult Chaudhry, who said, the gesture would be polite but not mandatory.
Reportedly, an estimated 30 to 40 percent women from Bert’s congregation chose to wear headscarves for the Sunday services at the mosque out of respect for their Muslim counterparts.
“Getting comfortable with difference involves building relationships with people,” Bert said. “You can’t just do it from a book.”
Speaking to Atheist Republic, Chaudhry said he hopes this partnership would not be a one-off event and inspire more bridge-building efforts in the future.
“This should be part of our vision, that we are together,” Chaudhry said. “We are members of this community. We are members of this country. We need to do our part to make this country great.”
To express gratitude for Chaudhry’s kind gesture, congregants of Unitarian Universalist Association of Greater Lansing decided to dedicate their plate offering one Sunday last month to members of the mosque. The Islamic Center of East Lansing will now donate part, if not all, of the offering to Islamic Relief USA.
Photo Credits: Listen Up Lansing
