USA: Muslim sect buys landmark church, Eid-ul Adhia celebrated

...[T]he mosque plans to hold separate meetings for men over 40, between 15-40, and boys ages 7-15 and women ages 15 and up and girls from 7-15.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: PennLive.Com
By Mary Klaus | November 12, 2010

A new religious community has moved into a landmark uptown Harrisburg church.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community last month bought Lakeside Lutheran Church, a landmark for 51 years, at 245 Division St.

Lakeside Lutheran closed on Oct. 31 because of falling membership and rising expenses, church officials said. The church, built to seat 520, had been getting about 30 worshippers at Sunday services.

"Our community is growing rapidly," said Akram Khalid, president of the York/Harrisburg Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. "This mosque will welcome any other religion to come and worship according to their own beliefs and practices."


The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, an Islamic religious movement, believes that the long-awaited Messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian. Ahmad, who lived from 1835-1908, claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus, according to the official website of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

"We have centers throughout America in all states," said Khalid. "We believe in peace and harmony among all religions. We are known to hold numerous interfaith programs. Members of the Lutheran church have attended some of our interfaith programs in Noor Mosque at York."

He said that the mosque plans to hold separate meetings for men over 40, between 15-40, and boys ages 7-15 and women ages 15 and up and girls from 7-15.

"The people of Lakeside are happy to provide this opportunity," the Rev. Richard Hair, Lakeside interim pastor, and David Fisher, spokesman for Lower Susquehanna Synod Lutheran Bishop B. Penrose Hoover, said in a joint statement.

"It is consistent with past acts of respect toward people of other Abrahamic faiths," they said. "It is their desire and prayer that the building, which was their church home for over 40 years, will provide this Muslim community of faith the same protection, shelter and refuge that God granted them."


-- mklaus@patriot-news.com

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