In Support of Our Muslim Brothers and Sisters

Last Friday, February 3^rd, several members of Central Church, including pastors Don and Deborah, along with members of the surrounding community, visited the Union Township Islamic Center Union County (“ICUC”) for midday prayer services to show support for our Muslim brothers and sisters following the administration’s travel ban.  About fifteen of us experienced some of the rituals of Islam and heard a sermon focused on inclusion and religious freedoms that have long been the history of our country.     

The relationship between the two faith communities began over a year ago, when ICUC warmly welcomed members from Central Church visiting the mosque, who were looking to engage with practitioners of Islam to better understand Islam and help counter the recent wave of anti-Muslim rhetoric following the horrific Paris bombings.  

Since then, the relationship has continued to grow with ICUC President, Wail Rasheed, providing tours to the curious among us of the ICUC facility and a short introduction to the practice of Islam.  Central has hosted a series of lectures called “Crossing Roads,” geared toward understanding and appreciating world religion, at which Dr. Rasheed spoke.  Our youth have jointly participated in preparations for a Midnight Run.

The outpouring of kindness and welcoming last Friday was palpable.  ICUC and Central are looking forward to continuing to grow and strengthen our relationship.  Please stay tuned for opportunities to learn about and meet our brothers and sisters down the road.

-Coleen McCaffery

In addition to our World Religions series, “Crossing Roads,” Central offered an in depth study of Islam this past fall with Dr. Ali Chaudry, president of the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge. Pastor Steele and the Summit Interfaith Council, over the past year and a half, have supported the  Society’s efforts to construct a mosque in Bernards Township—an effort that received a huge boost forward in a favorable court ruling at the end of 2016 that found zoning rules had been used in ways that violated the Constitutional rights of Muslims to free exercise of their religion.