Muslims pray at Pentagon's 9/11 site

WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans are debating bitterly the proposed building of a mosque near New York's ground zero, but for years Muslims have prayed quietly at the Pentagon only 80 feet from where another hijacked jetliner struck.

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

They describe the 100-seat chapel as a peaceful place where some 300 to 400 Pentagon employees come to pray each week. The chapel hosts separate weekly worship services for Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Mormons, Protestants, Catholics and Episcopalians.

The goal of the Pentagon chaplain office, which runs the chapel, is to "provide assistance and support for the religious, spiritual and morale needs of all service members and employees," said Army spokesman George Wright.

A proposal to build an Islamic cultural center near ground zero in New York has prompted angry protests by victims of the 2001 attacks, which were done in the name of Islam. A majority of New Yorkers say they are opposed to the plan.

Last week, President Barack Obama inserted himself into the debate when he said Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in the U.S. Republicans assailed him as out of touch with mainstream America, and Obama later told reporters that he wasn't endorsing the specifics of the mosque plan.

In 2001, hijacked American Airlines flight 77 flew into the west side of the Pentagon, plowing through three of the building's five office "rings" and killing 184 people. As part of its massive renovation and to honor victims in the attack, the Pentagon opened the chapel in November 2002.

The chapel includes no religious symbols, except Catholic holy water at the door; religious accouterments are brought in for various worship services.

Wright said that Muslim employees can gather for a daily prayer service Monday through Thursday, and attend a Friday worship service run by an imam from a local mosque.

Two in-house Army chaplains run the chapel, neither of which are Muslim. Col. Daniel Minjares is associated with the Church of the Nazarene; his deputy, Lt. Col. Ken Williams, is Southern Baptist.

Wright said the chaplains provide religious services for their denomination, but can provide services such as grief and marital counseling to employees of any faith.

Other faiths rely on local temples and churches to lead worship services.