A woman shouting “leave our churches alone” disrupted the first Muslim prayer service hosted by Washington National Cathedral.

Planners had said they hoped Friday’s service at the historic cathedral would foster more understanding and acceptance between Christians and Muslims around the world.

The prominent Episcopal cathedral often hosts national events, such as presidential funerals, and has hosted Muslims at various interfaith services in the past. But planners say this is the first time the cathedral has invited Muslims to lead their own prayers there, which they call a “powerful symbolic gesture”.

But just after starting announcements were made, an unidentified woman in the cathedral began shouting: “Why can’t you worship in your mosque … ” NBC4 reports the woman was escorted out of the cathedral.



As the service continued, Rizwan Jacka of Islamic Society of North America called the cathedral a house of prayer for all people.