Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Hosted by Muslims at Beth Israel

November 19, 2007

Author: Patrick George

Source: The Statesman

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/11/19/1119interfaith.html

For 23 years, Thanksgiving in Austin has come with huge crowds of people in saris, hijabs, clerical robes and yarmulkes, celebrating their similarities. Sunday's 23rd annual Austin Area Interreligious Ministries Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration marked the first time the service was hosted by Muslims — and it was at a Jewish temple, no less.

But the service wasn't without some controversy. Last week, Hyde Park Baptist Church, on whose property the event was originally going to be held, backed out because it objected to non-Christians — particularly Muslims — worshipping at its Quarries location.