FALLS CHURCH, Va. – The First Christian Church and Dar Al-Hijrah mosque live cheek by jowl along busy Leesburg Pike. And at a time of fear and uncertainty sparked by terrorism, the two faith communities have come together in a show of love and support.
The mosque and church joined hands Saturday to collect blankets and coats for Syrian refugees in Jordan.
“Fear is all around us and we can’t allow the fear to dominate,” the reverend Kathy Moore, senior minister at First Christian Church told a gathering that included her congregants and members of the mosque.
Wrapped in a prayer shawl, Imam Johari Abdul Malik led his faithful across the Pike, where they met First Christian Church members who exchanged warm smiles and hugs in the bright mid-day sun.
The imam told the crowd of Christians and Muslims that their work together was a clear message to ISIS.
“They think they’re dividing us and they’re uniting us,” Johari said.
The mosque and the church have a relationship that stretches back 30 years. The church made the presence of the mosque possible by agreeing to the terms of a county agreement under which the church provides parking for members participating at services at the mosque.
The church and mosque also combine forces in producing meals for the homeless and participate in other community projects.
