Protester: 'Christ Is Our Lord' at Muslim Prayer Event

The first Muslim prayer service ever hosted by the Washington National Cathedral was interrupted by a protester taking a stand for Christianity.

"Jesus Christ died on that cross over there. He is the reason why we are to worship only Him. Jesus Christ is our Lord and savior," she announced in a loud but steady voice.

"We have built and allowed you here in mosques in this country. Why can't you worship in the mosques? Leave our churches alone," she continued.

The unidentified woman was led away by two men, but she reportedly continued protesting in another room.

Meanwhile, the director of liturgy for Washington National Cathedral, Rev. Canon Gina Campbell, greeted the Muslims as "brothers and sisters in the name of God...most gracious, most merciful."

"Welcome to Washington National Cathedral, a cathedral conceived by Episcopalians, aided by others and chartered by Congress to be a national cathedral, a house of prayer for all people," Campell said.

During the event, a Muslim man sang from the podium, "Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar," a phrase which can be translated to mean "Allah is greatest" or "Allah is greater."

The controversial Muslim service was led Friday by South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool who helped plan the event.

"This is a dramatic moment in the world and in Muslim-Christian relations," Rasool said.

Muslims who attended the event said they were pleased with its symbolic nature.

"If we continue to do this, it really can have an impact across America in the way that we interact with our neighbors and just our communities," one Muslim woman said.

"This event of solidarity is just beautiful to be a part of. I see it as communication, as a sign, as a message from God Himself for the world," said Imam Talib Shareef, who leads The Nation's Mosque in Washington, D.C.

During the service, Rizwan Jaka of the controversial Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) called the National Cathedral a house of prayer for all people.

As CBN News Terrorism Analyst Erick Stakelbeck has reported, ISNA has ties to the radical Muslim Brotherhood. In 2007, federal prosecutors even named ISNA as an unindicted co-conspirator in the largest terrorism financing trial in American history.

A woman named Inas Shabazz who attended the gathering said, "I think that if people read and have a better understanding that they will know that we are a peaceful people. You know... the Koran... Islam... Muslim... it all means peace and love. There's nothing terroristic about it."

But Islamic experts consulted by CBN News explain that the word "Islam" does not mean "peace" or "love." It actually means "submission" or "surrender."

The dean of Washington National Cathedral expressed his support of the event and its goal of reversing negative views of Muslims.

"I am distressed when extremist fundamentalist Christians get all the press attention in America and are seen as the public face of Christianity," the Very Rev. Gary R. Hall said. "So I can only imagine how distressed mainstream Muslims are that extremists and terrorists are seen as the public face of Islam."