Leaders at the Islamic Center of Fullerton, a growing congregation in Orange County, feared they would go a second year without gathering in person for Eid-al-Fitr prayers that mark the end of Ramadan.
The situation seemed bleak until Faisal Qazi, a member of the mosque, thought to approach clergy at St Philip Benizi Catholic Church, a parish known be involved in interfaith work and helping the unhoused. Qazi had previously helped sponsor a food drive there, so he introduced leaders of the Islamic centre to the church’s pastor, Rev Dennis Kriz.
Mohammad Raghib, the mosque’s president, said they asked Kriz about hosting Eid at the parish’s campus for the estimated 500 or so expected to show up. The pastor was on board, running it by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. Soon after, Raghib’s congregation was cleared to gather outdoors at the church.
To local Islamic leaders, this marks a historic Eid, as they’ll be able to pray with each other amid a pandemic and “in the vicinity of our Christian brothers and sisters,” said Imam Qaisar Waheed Shabir. For Catholic clergy, this partnership is “in the spirit of interfaith cooperation,” Kriz said.
Shabir said it’s “an honour and a privilege” to host prayers at a Christian church, especially at a time when “Muslims have been very badly maligned”.
As an imam, it isn’t lost on Shabir that he represents a Vietnamese Cham Muslim community that established the Islamic Center of Fullerton decades ago. It means that much more that the mosque will be coexisting with the Catholic Church amid a rise of incidents against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the wake of COVID-19.
The pastor said he has encouraged his parishioners to attend.
During Ramadan, members of the Islamic Center of Fullerton have broken fast in the parking lot of the office space where they congregate, which Raghib said “is good enough for us.” But he is excited about hosting Eid at the church because he said it’s also an opportunity to share food with the parish community and “learn about each other and mingle.”
Full story at Sight Magazine.
This is a terrible idea. The more you learn about Islam, the more you realize it is an enemy of Christianity and Western civilization. Interfaith engagement with Muslims is like hens naively hosting interspecies events in their coop with coyotes.
Catholic churches should never be used by Muhammadans for their services. Forget all this interfaith nonsense, it is our duty to tell them that outside the Church there is no salvation.
Extra ecclesiam nulla salus – like it or not.
That’s right, even if denied by novus ordos.
Not shocking but completely ridiculous to have a false religion in a Roman Catholic Church but the S.S.P.X. are treated like lepers and would never be allowed in diocesan church.
Romulus,
You are correct that Islam is not true. For anyone who wishes to see a very quick summary of why, I recommend the following webpage:
https://www.raging-truth.com/monotheism
So exactly when was the last time a mosque was offered up to host a Catholic Mass?
Hell still freezing over.
Crickets,
Very true! It’s very difficult to get permission to build a Catholic church in a Muslim country.
No. Just no.
Waiting for story where some Catholic Church invites the Masons to start using Church for their meetings.
That happened at Vatican II. They call it the Novus Ordo.
This vile comment is schismatic: openly claiming that the reformed Mass of Vatican II is Masonic. Lots of traddys feel this way, unfortunately.
Stealth Jihad.
Hymie,
I didn’t even think about that angle. Today we visit: tomorrow we conquer and own (e.g. Hagia Sophia).
In truth, there are very good Muslims out there. I just wish there were more of them as a percentage of the Muslim population.
How dare you!
“Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” 1 John 4:3
“No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” 1 John 2:23
Our Islamic neighbors are lost. Let’s love them enough to tell them the truth about God.
Mohammed came along six centuries after our Lord walked the earth and claimed he had a better way! He was not inspired by the Holy Spirit. Mohammed was inspired by a spirit of antiChrist.
Let’s be honest with our friends, neighbors, ourselves and the world.
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
Romans 1:16
Mr. Shabir complained that “Muslims have been very badly maligned.” I think he needs to seriously ask why this is so.
For me personally, Islam took a very serious hit after 9-11 when only a precious few Muslims came out to publicly condemn radical Islam. The state of contemporary Islam is poor, and this mess can only be cleaned up from within.
I could not have imagined the Apostles inviting the Romans to come in to homes used for Mass in those days and encourage them in the worship of their deities. Apostasy has reared it’s ugly and demonic head once again. Islam calls our Lord a liar. Islam denies the Holy Trinity. Why would Catholics want any part of this?
Take it from St. John Bosco on how evil Islam is:
http://www.catholicapologetics.info/apologetics/islam/bosco.htm
Catholic churches are for Catholic worship. Only. Period.
Read the article, people. It’s not in the church it’s outside, outdoors on church property. Sheesh. What happened to “love thy neighbor” or even if you consider Muslims enemies, “love thy enemy, do good to those who hate you”? It’s like you pick and choose from the Gospel to suit your reactionary and backwards, ghetto traddy mindset. Jesus would be embarrassed by your reactions to this story and wonder why you can’t get the simple Gospel right. But you love your bells, incense and fiddleback chasubles and only males in the sanctuary. Follow St. Paul: “If I celebrate the TLM but have not love, I am nothing.”
Martin, understanding Islam requires a study of their past behavior. All Islamic countries do not permit Churches to be built, and do not allow Catholic Mass, or any Catholic activity, and Catholics are actively persecuted. With respect to allowing Catholic Churches or property to be used for Islamic rituals, there is another relevant fact: If Muslims celebrate their rituals on any property, and the Shahada is recited, that property is henceforth considered to be the property of Islam.
Another fact must be understood: Muslims believe that they are allowed to deceive the “Infidel” (here meaning Catholics), and so there is barefaced lying that Islam is “peaceful”. This device is called Taqqiya, or deception. So is there a real danger in inviting Muslims onto Church property? Some pastors need to wake up out there….
Martian: “Read the article, people. It’s not in the church it’s outside . . .”
We get it. We’re not stupid.
Those who commented above about the Muslims being “in” the church and “using” the church quite possible are.
So, bowing before a Pachamama idol at the Vatican was okay, since it was outside?
No sinning inside the church. But, it’s okay if it’s on the lawn or parking lot or in the parish hall?
Yeah, go ahead and fight that battle.
How’s interfaith cooperation going for the Jews in Israel right now?
The Muslims held their religious event outside, on church grounds. You know, it is a better idea, to rent a space in a business complex, in a non-religious setting, and fix it up for your religious event. No one’s nerves will be ruffled over religious conflicts, that way. And if you have your event at night or on a weekend, outside of normal business hours, when no one is around– that is ideal! I have seen both Jews, Muslims, and other religious groups do this, in large cities, when far from home. I am not comfortable mixing religions, or even mixing different denominations–and I think doing so, is a big mistake. The only kind of interfaith event that I am comfortable with, is a very respectful guest visit at a different house of worship, and that’s all. I have been a guest of friends at both a Jewish synagogue and a Muslim mosque, when young, and my friends have been my guests also, at my church.
Why couldn’t they use a park or a beach or a hotel banquet room?
Horrible.
This is shocking and upsetting on so many levels. Islam is not a religion of peace. Islam means “submission.” That means anyone who is not a Muslim must be brought under submission by any means necessary. That is the goal of Muslims. Author Robert Spencer is an authority on Islam, having lived and worked in Muslim countries. Spencer’s books are a real eye opener on how Muslims think, plan, and act to advance their satanic agenda. Yes, I said satanic.
Mohammed claimed that a spirit appeared to him and told him how to found a “religion.” Mohammed was terrified of this spirit so he did as he was told. Islam is truly straight out of the pits of hell. When Muslims gain a foothold anywhere, they will take over and bring everyone else under submission. And it okay to lie if the lie is good for Islam. Islam is a lie. No quarter should be given to this satanic, violent political system masquerading as a “religion.” Islamists must not be permitted to use any facility or grounds because that certainly gives them entry for further encroachment. Have the lessons of 9/11 been forgotten?
Funny how the Left loves Islam a cult that treats women as second class citizens, kills gay men in over 15 Muslims countries, hates rock music, Jews, dancing, is anti abortion, slits the necks of sheep and let them bleed to death for Halal meat and the list goes on. Where are the gay activists, woman’s rights lobbies, PETA and all of the Left wing outfit’s???
I have known Muslins who were very fine people, and sought a holy life of prayer, love of God and neighbor, and learning virtues like Chastity, Modesty, Purity, Humility, Kindness, Love for all people, giving help to the poor, sick, needy, disabled, and widows and orphans, etc.– with a deep love and selfless devotion to God. Good, loving, devoted wives and mothers, good in their families and communities. There are good people in all religions. But I don’t believe in mixing religions together. Just mutual respect, love, and goodwill between persons of all faiths.
Yeah well, as sunshine and cupcake as that is, outside the Church there is no salvation.
Yes, but we must share the Love of Christ with all peoples of the world, anyway, as He mandated for us to do.
Well, agreed…just keep your orange jump suit, pressed and ready to go.
Luckily Anon was no where to be found at Lepanto or Tours.
Sorry, bohemond, Christ is not calling us to battle the Muslims, as at Lepanto and Tours. Christ mandates love of God and neighbor. Even if you do not agree with your neighbor, be kind, and find the good in him– make peace with your neighbors! Be friends, not enemies! Look at the horrors right now, between the Israelis and Palestinians, at Gaza– is that what you believe in??
Anon if we the Christian armies did not fight and win at Lepanto and Tours the Church we love would not exist as we know it if at all. But you will not defend the Faith but reap the benefits of it being defended by others and yet criticizing them at the same time.