In a church devoid of rosaries and statues of Mary, Muslims, Protestants and Catholics gathered last Sunday to discuss the importance of the woman who gave birth to Jesus. About 20 women came to the Rutherford Congressional Church in celebration not of their differences, but their oneness as women and how one woman has influenced their lives.

The three religions couldn’t be more different in their worship, especially when it comes to Mary. Catholics pray to statues of Mary and through repetitive prayer on the rosary. Muslims have a dedicated chapter of the Qu’ran about her life from childhood through the death of Jesus. While the Protestants, not believing in idolatry do not pray to Mary, but look to her as an inspiration and are finding a closer bond to her in recent years.

Islam

Many of the Christians in attendance where surprised to learn the role Mary, or Maryam according to the Qu’ran, has played with women of Islam. Nuray Sonmez, head of the Woman’s Association for the Interfaith Dialogue Center in Carlstadt, explained to the group that Mary is the only woman named in the Qu’ran. The 19th chapter tells Mary’s story, which begins in her mother’s womb and finishes at the foot of the cross. In the Qu’ran Mary does not have Joseph and is alone during her pregnancy. When she returns to Jerusalem after giving birth to Jesus, she takes a vow of silence to not defend herself to the villagers. Referring to the Muslim movie St. Mary, Sonmez describes how Muslims believe it was Jesus the infant who spoke in his mother’s defense and that this was his first miracle. Mohammed states that among women, none attained the perfection of Mary.

"Mary represents saintliness, piety, chasteness and virtue and is an ever and highly revered figure in Islam," said Sonmez. "She was chosen to be raised in the temple and learn the ways of a prophet and she gave birth to one of the five of the greatest prophets." Because of this Mary is one of the most popular names among Muslim girls. Jesus or Isa in Muslim is a popular name among boys.

Mary lived out her final days in Ephesus, Turkey. Thousands visit her home each year.

"It is the obligation of every Muslim to read the chapter of Mary," said Sonmez.

Protestant

"Mary was the one eyewitness who was there for it all," said Carol Marshall of the Congregational Church quoting Mark Burrows, a Protestant minister.

Although most Protestants will tell you Mary is mostly talked about at Christmastime, and never prayed to directly (Protestants believe they have a direct line to God when it comes to prayer.), there has been a recent surge of interest in Mary in the Protestant church. In his area in Massachusetts, Burrows attributes the interest to the fact that 80 percent of new Protestants were former Roman Catholics. But Marshall believes it’s feminism that holds the attraction to Mary. Plainly put, women connect to Mary who was a mother and who lost her only son.

Although you will probably not see a statue of Mary in a Protestant Church, as bible study groups become predominantly more feminine, said Marshall, talk of Mary, her role and her virtues is becoming an increasingly popular topic among the circle.

"She is taking a prominent position among us," said Marshall. "Her most famous words: ‘I am the Lord’s servant’ after the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her she would have the Son of God; these words are heroic."

Catholic

Catholics have been long known for their "worship" to Mary. Every Catholic Church has an altar set with a statue of Mary, the Mary altar, and most regularly say the rosary, which includes 53 Hail Mary’s.

"Mary was a very prominent part of my upbringing," said Lynn Decker. "Very early on I learned she was born without original sin, born of a virginal birth and remained a virgin throughout her life."

As Decker grew into womanhood and motherhood, Mary means even more to her. Although Decker is Catholic, her husband is Protestant and she is a board member at the Rutherford Congressional Church. Decker says every woman, no matter what her religion, can look to Mary for inspiration.

"We need someone who is close to us [women]. After all, God chose her as a female role model," said Decker.

Mary is only mentioned 10 times in the New Testament, but more Bible study groups and churches are discussing the importance of her role.