In welcoming comments, The Rev. Canon Gina Gilland Campbell of the National Cathedral noted she has learned the patterns and practices of prayer from Muslims, Native Americans, Sikhs and others. Stating that \u201cOpenness to those whose prayer differs from our own is one thing\u201d\u009d but that preparedness to exercise hospitality is another, Campbell announced that \u201cdeep relationships come out of shared prayer.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
No statement was offered noting the use of the Cathedral sanctuary for non-Christian worship, despite the space being consecrated to the worship of Christ. The sanctuary of the National Cathedral has also been used for Tibetan sand painting by monks and for a Native American smudging ceremony, in which a gift of smoking tobacco leaves was offered to welcome spirits from the four cardinal directions.<\/p>\n
In his sermon, Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool of South Africa noted appreciation to the church for making the facility available, but explained the group chose not to have prayers in the \u201cmain church\u201d\u009d (the nave) \u201clest subsequent generations of Muslims see that as a license to appropriate the church for Islam\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n