Friday was the first time the Washington National Cathedral hosted a Muslim prayer service in a bid to unite Christians and Muslims right at the most prominent Episcopal Church in the nation's capital.

The idea of holding the event at the Cathedral came upon Reverend Gina Campbell, director of religious liturgy, and Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool during the interfaith memorial service for Nelson Mandela.

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Friday is a Muslim day of prayer that is similar to Christians' Sunday worship or mass and Saturday Shabbat of Judaism.

The event was per invitation only, and was meant to accomodate only 100 people, according to the Washington Post. Different Muslim groups sponsored the service, including All Dulles Area Muslim Society, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Islamic Society of North America.

An estimated three million Muslims live in the United States.

"Let us stretch our hearts and let us seek to deepen mercy for we worship the same God," Reverend Campbell said during the service, adding that the Cathedral 'a place of prayer for all people.'

Prayer carpets were spread out across the church facing the direction of Mecca, with the Christian icons out of view as Muslims do not pray to icons.

Ambassador Rasool initiated the sermon or 'Khutba', where he extolled religious freedom in the United States. He also scored Islamic militants who use religion to justify their killings and terroristic acts.

"If we do not stop them at the monasteries, they will make their way to the mosques," he said.

Conservative Christians, however, criticized the gesture as inappropriate.

As the opening prayer began, an unidentified woman shouted to the cameras "Jesus died on that cross!" as her way of opposing the use of the church for Muslim prayer.

"It's sad to see a church open its doors to the worship of anything other than the One True God of the Bible who sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to earth to save us from our sins," Reverend Franklin Graham, son of popular evangelist Billy Graham, posted his thoughts on the Muslim service on Facebook. 

The Washington National Cathedral is not funded by the U.S. government but by private donations, and it has been known to host official events such as presidential inaugurations, funerals and interfaith services.

TagsWashington National Cathedral, Muslims in America, Friday Muslim Prayer