Westbury was the site of an historic interfaith event on Sunday, Dec. 9, as the head of the Catholic Church on Long Island and other religious leaders attended a unity service at the Westbury Islamic Center.

The Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Rev. William Murphy, greeted members of The Islamic Center, marking the first time that the leader of the Catholic Church has visited a mosque on Long Island, according to organizers of the event.

Úquot;It was an historic event. It was a unique event,Úquot; said Dr. Faroque A. Khan, leader of the Islamic Center. Úquot;We were very pleased and happy.Úquot; Approximately 150 people attended the event, including Christian and Jewish religious leaders, members of the mosque, and residents of the Westbury community.

The event was aimed at promoting understanding of the Muslim faith and encouraging interfaith religious unity in the wake of the Sept. 11th attacks.

During the service, Dr. Khan spoke about how the Sept. 11 has affected community members. Úquot;The September 11th attack on America has changed our lives forever. We, at the Islamic Center of Long Island, in written, oral, TV, and news media have condemned the terrorist attack in very clear, unambiguous terms,Úquot; he said. Úquot;Since September 11th the Muslim community has been in the spotlight. They have been hit with a double attack. First, to cope with the loss of friends, relatives, and colleagues; and secondly, cope with the eye of suspicion cast upon them as the perpetrators or accomplices of this hideous crime.Úquot;

Sunday's program included reflection, prayers for the victims of the attack, as well as presentations on the meaning of the Muslim holy days of Ramadan, and the impact of the Sept. 11th attacks on the Muslim community. In addition, introduced were the widows of two Muslim Americans who were killed in the attack while working at the Windows of the World restaurant.

Dr. Kahn described Sunday's event as a rare multfaith gathering in the United States, and therefore significant for the community of Westbury. Úquot;It puts the community on the map,Úquot; he said.

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