United States: a church hosts Muslim Friday prayer

In Bryn Mawr, near Philadelphia, the Methodist St. Luke church now opens its doors to the local Muslim community for Friday prayer, as well as for community courses and events. This partnership, initiated by Pastor Mark Salvacion, first responds to an urgent need: since the closure of a neighboring mosque in 2018, many Muslim families found themselves without accessible place of worship.

But beyond this necessity, a real relationship of confidence has been established. Meals shared during Ramadan, Bible-Coran cross studies and common charitable actions have emerged. “We are all neighbors, and we have to take care of each other,” recalls the pastor.

This initiative is part of a broader will, encouraged by the united Metal Methodist Church, to build bridges between Christians and Muslims. In St. Luke, this commitment takes shape in concrete cooperation: warm welcome, symbolic rent, and cross involvement in the highlights of the religious year, such as the Iftar of Ramadan or the celebrations of Eid. “The Lurwick room has become a safe space for us,” says Gail Montgomery Watson, former vice-president of AS-Salaam Islamic Society. Discreetly reported, with a good car park and a children’s playground, it allows the Muslim community to meet in peace. In return, St. Luke fully assumes his role as a place of dialogue and fraternity