It was a marriage made in mayhem, from the glowing embers of senseless violence. But yesterday, two faiths united to fight one 
fear: terrorism.

They made an unlikely pair, standing at the altar. One a Protestant reverend bedecked in long white robes, a cross dangling from his neck; the other a practising Muslim in flowing traditional costume. It was the first time such a disparate duo addressed the congregation at Westminster United Church in Whitby. And for Raheel Raza, it 
was about time.

"We as Muslims need to open ourselves up to the mainstream," she said. "It shouldn't take a crisis to make something like this happen." 

"It doesn't do anything to solve the problem of terrorism, but it certainly improves understanding between people of faith."

Rev. Christopher White invited Raza to speak at the Sunday service and cast light on popular misconceptions about Islam in the wake of terrorist attacks in the United States.

"I thought it was really important that we hear the voice of Islam - to reach out as a faith community," White said. The sermon, he added, was all about building bridges across a dark divide of ignorance.

To dispel those myths, Raza told congregants what Muslims do believe in: "Above all we believe we have to love one another to make the world a  better place."

Jihad, she said, has many meanings;  not one of them amounts to murder.  "Jihad is a word that has been mis-used and mis-represented by a few wrongly minded people," she said, calling it an oft-used cloak to "legitimize criminality."

 Battling misconceptions and stereotypes, she added, "is actually a form of jihad."

Raza moved quickly beyond "everything you ever wanted to earn about Islam but were afraid to ask" to everything you heard about Islam that made you afraid.

Terrorists didn't just hijack planes on Sept. 11; they hijacked a faith. By using Islam as a cover for murder, the terrorists cast a cloud over all of Islam.

"Osama bin Laden is part of a trend in contemporary Islam that is far from mainstream," she said. "The people that committed this ghastly crime were definitely not people of God or people of any religion."

The message of terrorism is one of "violence, fear, anxiety and distrust." To those terrorists she sent a message of her own: "You have lost. We will not be afraid."

"Do you travel in the desert?" one asked. "I have traveled in the desert. I don't travel in the desert any more."

 Born in Pakistan, Raza came to Canada in 1989, working as a media consultant and freelance writer. Her passion for issues facing the south Asian community has led her to forums, conferences, seminars and now, congregations.

 "I like your shoes," said another child."Thank you," she said. "At my age I need comfort." She wasn't the only one.

"We're living in times of great anxiety. She was a calming presence and a voice of hope," said White. "I'm really glad we did this. It was a rich experience for everyone here today."

 Raza's sermon included a passage from the Qur'an in Arabic. Although few in the congregation understood the words, the sentiment was sublime - with the lilting chant lifting hearts as high as the rafters. And it became clear that this was not a handbook for terror, but a book of spirituality and love.

"She was absolutely wonderful," said Clarence MacPherson after the service. The 15-year member of the Westminster parish added efforts like Raza's help everyone become more aware of the challenge the Islamic community is facing today.

"We need to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in that faith community."

The brief binding of faiths brought congregants closer to understanding the wrenching events of Sept. 11 and to God.

A God, Raza said, that is the same, no matter whose heart petitions it. And a God that exists even "in the ruins and in our broken hearts."

 That same message was expressed yesterday in an inter-faith open house at the International Muslims Organization of Toronto on Rexdale Blvd. Close to 200 people heard a panel of speakers that included Mayor Mel Lastman and police Chief Julian Fantino on the need for greater understanding and communication to end ignorance and hatred.

Fantino urged those in the Muslim community to report any acts of hatred or prejudice, urging them to come forward.

 "Don't be afraid about bothering the police, this is our duty."