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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Overflowing Mosques Lead Muslims to Synagogue

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(Newser) – With the Muslim population in the US booming, the start of Ramadan this weekend will see many worshippers overflowing into borrowed space, from ballrooms to synagogues, the Washington Post reports. The DC area's mosques are bursting at the seams; with the Koran's injunction against borrowing money at interest slowing new construction, sharing space is more and more common.

One suburban rabbi leasing synagogue space to a Muslim congregation cited scripture: "The prophet Isaiah said our houses would be houses of prayer for all people." The unconventional space-sharing has led to interfaith visits and pulpit swaps; the rabbi and imam have preached to each other's flocks. Growth in the US Muslim population—estimated to have doubled since 1990—is attributed to immigration, conversions, and the Muslim propensity for large families.

Muslims fill up the driveway and pray after the mosque was full, during a service to mark the Eid al-Fitr, October 23, 2006 at Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia.
Muslims fill up the driveway and pray after the mosque was full, during a service to mark the Eid al-Fitr, October 23, 2006 at Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia.   (Getty Images)
Muslims wait to enter a mosque for services marking the Eid al-Fitr, a three-day-celebration after the month of Ramadan, October 23, 2006 at Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia.
Muslims wait to enter a mosque for services marking the Eid al-Fitr, a three-day-celebration after the month of Ramadan, October 23, 2006 at Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia.   (Getty Images)
DEARBORN - NOVEMBER 4: Several thousand Muslims gather in prayer at the Islamic Center of America to celebrate Eid al-Fitr November 4, 2005 in Dearborn, Michigan.
DEARBORN - NOVEMBER 4: Several thousand Muslims gather in prayer at the Islamic Center of America to celebrate Eid al-Fitr November 4, 2005 in Dearborn, Michigan.   (Getty Images)
Members of a Muslim congregation bow as they say a prayer during a service to mark Eid al-Fitr after the month of Ramadan, October 23, 2006 at Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia.
Members of a Muslim congregation bow as they say a prayer during a service to mark Eid al-Fitr after the month of Ramadan, October 23, 2006 at Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia.   (Getty Images)
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9 comments
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Newser001
Aug 22, 09 10:20 AM CDT
Theological détente ! Reply
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
CastaDiva
Aug 22, 09 3:06 PM CDT
I couldn't put it better! Sometimes, treaties, resolutions, pacts and agreements give way to simple common sense.
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+1
BlueAyez
Aug 22, 09 11:27 AM CDT
Best news I've heard about the two yet. Reply
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0
IN RESPONSE:
schmidtkoff
Aug 22, 09 2:02 PM CDT
yes, but i would not be too quick to comment affirmatively. they have a long, long history of denouncing jews, christians, etc. this is not a detante.
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-1
njgreen
Aug 22, 09 1:19 PM CDT
Do imams make shorter sermons than rabbis? If so, they're welcome anytime at my synagogue! Reply
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+4

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