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Islamic Prayer Center dedicated at Quantico Date published: 6/7/2006
THE MARINE CORPS dedicated its first Islamic Prayer Center yesterday at Quantico with some high-ranking defense brass and foreign diplomats attending. Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England and Gen. Michael Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps spoke at the ceremony. Chaplain Abuhena Saifulislam, a Navy lieutenant, began working to establish the center after several Muslim servicemen had asked him for a place to pray. It turned out there was a building available and they were able to start using it at the end of last year. "Although I could come and do my prayers, there was no official announcement or dedication," Saifulislam said. Yesterday was the day that everyone's schedules meshed so they could have the dedication ceremony. Saifulislam has been stationed at Quantico since last July. In the fall, ground will be broken at the site of the new Religious Activities and Family Support Center, which will include an Islamic Prayer Room. The new facility is scheduled to open in 2009. Saifulislam estimates that the room will be used for prayer by about 30 Muslims, which includes Marines, civilians and international students. Having the Islamic Prayer Center has fostered a greater sense of community among the Muslims in the area, Saifulislam said. "As it is known, they will come," he said, also mentioning the big sign that is now in front of the building. Serving as the liaison coordinator for the International Military Student program of the Command and Staff College, Lt. Col. Michael Hancock of the Air Force is familiar with the needs of Muslim servicemen. Before the center opened, he said, Muslim students had to search for a mosque off base, which was difficult to fit into their academic schedules. "By having this, we can support their religious requirements," Hancock said. "That's always an issue, being sensitive to culture." Of the 24 international officers in the program, nine are Muslim and five are Arabic, Hancock said. During the dedication ceremony, Hagee called the new center "an extension of our ethos. This ethos that we take care of each other, we are a family." England spoke of the 4,000 Muslim Americans serving currently in the military. "Today, they continue to serve with distinction and honor in the war on terror." After the ceremony, England, Hagee, Saifulislam, international students and veterans removed their shoes and stepped inside the center. To reach JENN ROWELL:
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