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Why Muslims in Nashville are praying at a Methodist church

Holly Meyer
Nashville Tennessean
Men gather to pray during the holy month of Ramadan at the Salahadeen Center in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 14, 2021.

The Islamic Center of Nashville is undergoing a remodel: roof repairs, new carpet and a fresh coat of paint. 

But it means the mosque in the heart of the city's 12South neighborhood cannot host Muslims for prayers during Ramadan. In need of a space to use, the center's leadership turned to a neighbor for help. 

Belmont United Methodist Church, located about a mile and a half from the mosque, offered up its community center.

"They have been gracious to allow us use of their facility for Friday prayer services," Ossama Bahloul, imam and resident scholar at the Islamic Center of Nashville, said in an email.  

Imam Ossama Bahloul  of the Islamic Center of Nashville speaks during Friday midday prayers in 2019.

Muslims are celebrating their second Ramadan amid the pandemic. Unlike last year, mosques now are open for prayers during the holy month with social distancing, face mask requirements and capacity limits in place. Typically, mosques see an influx of people during the holy month, which started in mid April this year.

The Rev. Paul Purdue, who leads the church, said they recently reopened their space for gatherings with coronavirus precautions and hosting the Islamic Center just made sense. He pointed to Jesus' command to love your neighbor as yourself.

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"If your neighbor has a need, you try to help meet that need," Purdue said. "We're glad to do it." 

Ossama Bahloul, the imam and resident scholar at the Islamic Center of Nashville, speaks during Friday prayers at Belmont United Methodist Church. The church is hosting the Islamic Center of Nashville while the mosque is under construction.

Balhoul, who sees Nashville's religious diversity as one of the city's assets, is grateful for Belmont United Methodist Church's generosity. 

"Working collectively for the common good is a necessity and I see it to be a vital part of our religion," Balhoul said. "Unity does not require agreement in religious doctrine instead it requires us to focus on the area of similarities in order to benefit us all."   

Bahloul hopes the Islamic Center of Nashville's 12South campus will be able to reopen in a few weeks. 

Reach Holly Meyer at hmeyer@tennessean.com or 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.