Muslim prayer
Imam Khalifa El-Krif performs a Muslim call to prayer in an interfaith service aimed at combating anti-muslim bigotry held at The National Cathedral in Washington, DC on June 27, 2011. A rabbi, imam and reverend read selected passages and offered introspect from the Torah and the Koran as well as the Bible. Getty Images

Bridging communities together, the Washington National Cathedral is hosting its first Muslim prayer service on Friday. (14 November)

This is a dramatic moment in the world and in Muslim-Christian relations.
- Ebrahim Rasool, Liturgical Director, Washington National Cathedral

The prayer is aimed at fostering a better understanding and acceptance between Muslims and Christians worldwide.

The planners said the Friday prayer will mark the first time that the cathedral is inviting Muslims in a "powerful symbolic gesture'' to lead their own prayers.

The historic cathedral is known to host national events, like presidential funerals and, in the past, it has also hosted Muslims at various inter-faith services.

The idea for the prayer service emerged when the cathedral's liturgical director met South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool during the planning of Nelson Mandela's memorial service.

"This is a dramatic moment in the world and in Muslim-Christian relations," said Rasool.

Washington National Cathedral
Ben Williams watches as the crowd filters into the Washington National Cathedral for a funeral service on October 29, 2014 in Washington, DC. Getty Images