In response to the controversy over the “Ground Zero Mosque” in New York City, a spate of articles has taken to highlighting the “non-controversy” over Islamic prayers occurring in the Pentagon Chapel, just feet from the impact point of one of the other airliners hijacked in 2001:

The Pentagon chapel is part of a memorial to the 184 people killed in 2001 when hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 flew into the west side of the Pentagon and plowed through three of the building’s five office rings.

As part of its massive renovation, the Pentagon opened the nondenominational chapel in November 2002. The chapel hosts a daily prayer group and weekly worship service for Muslims, and provides similar services for Jews, Hindus, Mormons, Protestants, Catholics and Episcopalians. 

Pentagon officials say that no one in the military or the families of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks has ever protested.

Notably, the Pentagon Chapel is described as a non-denominational facility, not a church or a mosque.

Apart from a Roman Catholic font for holy water beside the entrance and Bibles tucked under seats, the spartan room offers a neutral spiritual space, resembling “multi-faith” chapels at US bases around the world.

If nothing else, the discussion about the Pentagon Chapel presents an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the supportive environment of faith and religious freedom in the US Department of Defense, despite occasional conspiracy theories alleging a super-secret Christian takeover of the Pentagon.

“It’s the ultimate representation of America — freedom of religion,” [Faisal] said, before walking back to work [from his Islamic prayers].

Further:

To chaplains who work in Army chapels around the world, tolerance and openness to all faiths represents the support and camaraderie of military culture.

“What happens here is normal,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Carleton W. Birch, spokesman for the Army chief of chaplains.