Muslims pray for peaceful world

Star-Telegram ^ | Mar. 22, 2003 | John Gutierrez-Mier and Darren Barbee

[Dubya]

Hundreds of men, women and children poured into the Islamic Association of Tarrant County on Friday, the holiest day of the week for Muslims.

For some, it was a special time to reflect on the current world situation. Others worried about loved ones in the Middle East. But all of them prayed for world peace.

"The war is under way. It's a reality of life," Imam Moujahed M. Bakhach told the faithful gathered for Jumu'a prayers at the Fort Worth mosque.

Earlier, Bakhach explained that Jumu'a is the Arabic word for assembly.

"We have to know, especially in these times, that Allah is in control," said Bakhach, who on Tuesday was the first Muslim cleric ever to lead Texas house and senate members in prayer before a day's session.

On Friday, Bakhach reminded those who gathered that as Americans, they should exercise their civil rights.

"Whether you agree or disagree with President Bush, you have the right to your opinion," Bakhach said. "Elections will take place in May, and your votes will be counted."

During afternoon prayers at a mosque in Hurst, Monem Salam, executive board member of the Islamic Society of North America, urged Muslims to reach out to their neighbors, whatever their faith. Salam said a woman he barely knew from his Plano neighborhood made his family cupcakes Thursday night in a gesture of friendship.

"It should not be a one-way street," Salam said. "It is something we should do for our neighbors as well."

Salam also told about 100 men and women praying at the Islamic Association of Mid-Cities in Hurst that he stopped watching television and reading the newspaper for fear that human suffering in Iraq would be trivialized by the media.

"I don't want this war to turn into an action movie for me, because in an action movie, the dead people get up and walk away," he said.

Danyal Rabbani, 23, of Southlake said after the service that he feels conflicted by the war. While he mourns for the Muslims who will be killed, he supports U.S. troops in Iraq.

"Once the decision is made, you've got to go all the way with it," he said. "This is our country. We're American. We might be Muslim, but we're American."

Isam Alimam, an American of Iraqi descent, attended prayer services at the Irving Islamic Center just as the U.S. military turned up the heat in its war against Iraq.

The Lewisville resident said he was depressed by what he called an overuse of U.S. power.

"You have this bad kid in your neighborhood, but you're going to burn down the whole neighborhood," Alimam said.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This Report Contains Information From the Associated Press. John Gutierrez-Mier, (817) 390-7155 jmier@star-telegram.com Darren Barbee, (817) 685-3818 \

[Dubya]

Isam Alimam, an American of Iraqi descent, attended prayer services at the Irving Islamic Center just as the U.S. military turned up the heat in its war against Iraq.

The Lewisville resident said he was depressed by what he called an overuse of U.S. power.

"You have this bad kid in your neighborhood, but you're going to burn down the whole neighborhood," Alimam said.

Awe those peacefull muslims. What a great attitude they have after prayer.

I don't think they like anyone. They are always mad.

[OpusatFR]

Twenty years ago we all watched as they screamed, "Death to America," in Tehran and all over the middle east as the years ensued.

Guess what...they meant it. And we have the deaths to prove it.

[ambrose]

Muslims pray for peaceful world

Bwahahahahahahahaha... Is this from the Onion?

[delacoert]

[Staged media event BARF ALERT]

[Puppage]

Muslims pray for peaceful world

Is that pray'n with, or without a beltful of explosives?

[ambrose]

In other headlines: "Waikiki Beach Resort Owners pray for snow"

[Dubya]

ROTFLOL

[dennisw]

Fri Mar 14, 8:26 AM ET

A man holds up copy of the Koran book during a rally of Hamas in Jabalyia refugee camp Northern Gaza Strip (news - web sites) March 14, 2003. Iraq (news - web sites)'s top preacher on Friday urged Muslims and Iraqis across the world to attack American interests and wage jihad (holy struggle). The Palestinians fear Israel will launch major military operations while the world's eyes are turned to Iraq. REUTERS/Jose Manuel Ribeiro

Mon Feb 24, 9:24 AM ET

Supporters of Muslim cleric Sheikh Abdullah el-Faisal react angrily waving a copy of the Koran following news of his conviction for soliciting murder at the Old Bailey in London, February 24, 2003. El-Faisal was found guilty on Monday of three charges of soliciting murder relating to talks he gave which were recorded and put on sale inciting Muslims to kill non-believers, Americans, Hindus and Jews. REUTERS/Michael Crabtree

 

Thu Mar 13, 1:57 PM ET

A member of an Arab volunteer unit holds a weapon and the Koran during exercises in a military base near Baghdad, March 12, 2003. Britain said it would stand by the United States if it came to war on Iraq (news - web sites), but set out six tough conditions for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) if he wanted to avert a conflict. (Goran Tomasevic/Reuters)

Sat Mar 8,10:53 AM ET

Palestinian women hold up copies of the Koran during a Hamas demonstration in the West Bank town of Nablus, Saturday, March 8, 2003. Hamas members and supporters marched to protest Israel's targeted killing of Hamas leader Ibrahim Makadmeh in Gaza earlier in the day. The strike came a day after the militant group claimed responsibility for two deadly attacks that killed 16 Israelis. (AP Photo/Nasser Ishtayeh)

 

 

Thu Mar 20, 1:27 PM ET

Masked Palestinians from military wing of Islamic Jihad holds swords and grenade in front of a Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) portrait, during a march in Rafah Southern Gaza Strip (news - web sites) March 20, 2003. In a clear attempt to appeal to Muslim emotions beyond his frontiers, the Iraqi leader called for a jihad (holy war). He began and ended his speech with verses from the Koran, the Muslim holy book. REUTERS/Jose Manuel Ribeiro

[Dubya]

ROTFLOL

[Dubya]

We do have the dead to prove what they are. I am so sad that even one person lost their life because of these people.

[Dubya]

Good pictures and info thanks.

[Dubya]

I was just looking at how peacefull they look in these pictures.LOL Some of them look like they need a laxitive.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Muslims pray with Washington Monument in rear.

[dennisw]

"Bottoms up"

[denydenydeny]

It's all peace, peace, peace...as long as they are in the minority.

[Dubya]

Right on.

[EGPWS]

Hundreds of men, women and children poured into the Islamic Association of Tarrant County on Friday, the holiest day of the week for Muslims.

Hundreds eh? Mmm, if that's the case I'm convinced that "The Religion of Peace" has proven to hold true their motto. Let's see there's at least 200,000,000 Muslims in the world. Yep I'm convinced!

[Dec31,1999]

Ping!

[CHICAGOFARMER]

* * 288,000,000 American Citizens are not protesting the war, including this Iraqi-American woman.

*Click here to Iraqi Woman prayer answered *

http://images.radcity.net/5149/359372.mp3

******

Now you know the rest of the story, why this woman is praying as well for Mr Bush.

* *

[pamibach]

"Allah's in charge"? Well MY God can beat their god with BOTH hands nailed to a tree