Washington: The proposal to build a mosque near 9/11 ground zero in New York may have created outrage across the United States, but it has now come to light that Muslims have been routinely praying in the Pentagon soon after the 9/11 attack in Washington.
The Pentagon Chaplain is part of a section in the building that was rebuilt by the US Defence Department after American Airlines flight 77 crashed into it on September 11, 2001.
The chapel is open to all faiths and reserves time for Muslim prayer every Monday through Thursday at 2 pm, and on Friday an Imam leads a prayer service.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon Chaplain’s also office hosted an Iftar dinner at the Pentagon conference centre in recognition of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Fox News reports.
However, it confirmed that the chapel is not a Mosque, and pointed out that it caters mainly to Christians and the Holy Bible can be found behind every pew.
The US Army, which runs the office of the Pentagon Chaplain, said that roughly 400 people from all faiths use the chapel regularly.
“The worshippers include people from the Catholic, Jewish, Episcopalian, Hindu, Mormon and Muslim faiths,” Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel George Wright said.
Though the chapel is located about 20 steps from the centre of the impact site, the Army said that they have not received any complaints about the Muslims prayers.
The section also has a memorial dedicated to the memory of the 184 people who were killed in the incident.
ANI
