LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY wyldraven)

All of a sudden, there is a spate of news stories about Muslims and government. Here in Texas, we have this tempest in a teapot, right on the heels of Pat Robertson's "Muslims are taking over the government" screed, reported by sunfell here.

Houston Chronicle: Plan for Muslim prayer in [state] Senate angers some

Harris County Republican chair questions why the event is so close to Easter

By R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — The first prayer ever by a Muslim cleric in the Texas Senate will be delivered today — outraging some conservatives because it is occurring just before Easter.

The invocation will be delivered by the Imam Yusuf Kavakci of the Dallas Central Mosque at the invitation of state Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano. Shapiro is Jewish.

Shapiro spokeswoman Jennifer Ransom Rice said the invitation was extended to Kavakci because Wednesday is the Texas Muslims Legislative Day at the Capitol.

Harris County Republican Chairman Jared Woodfill said the timing of the Muslim prayer outraged him.

"I'm shocked that the day before the Easter recess that a Muslim is leading the prayer," Woodfill said. "They should be having a celebration about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ."

The holidays for Christians are Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This also is Passover, a major Jewish holiday.

Woodfill said the invocation should be delivered by someone who represents Judeo-Christian values.

Rice said the Muslim groups scheduled their trip to the Capitol like any other group that had to reserve a room.

Rice said among the events the Muslim groups plan at the Capitol is a program on interfaith relations.

The US Pastor Council of Houston, a group of conservative ministers, also complained about the prayer because of "concern over the oppressive impact of radical Islam worldwide and the pressure to accept cultural and religious diversity."

But complaints at the Capitol were few.

Rice said there had been three phone calls and two e-mails complaining that a Muslim was being allowed to deliver the prayer in the Senate just before Easter.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said he had heard no complaints about the timing of the prayer.

"I haven't heard any pushback," Dewhurst said. "We are a diverse nation. We have rabbis give prayers. We have Christians give prayers. The opportunity should be given to a representative of Islam."

The first Muslim prayer delivered in the Texas House occurred in 2003. That also was delivered as part of a Texas Muslims Legislative Day, but it did not coincide with Easter.

Chronicle reporter Tara Dooley contributed to this report from Houston.

r.g.ratcliffe@chron.com