Tomorrow, his work will bear fruit in a rare agreement of cooperation and understanding between the association and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden - believed to be one of only two pacts in the nation between the faiths.
Rahman, Bishop Joseph A. Galante of the Diocese of Camden and others are scheduled to sign the document at 7 p.m. at the mosque, located at Lafayette Avenue and Haddonfield-Berlin Road.
The agreement calls for the establishment of a commission of Catholics and Muslims that will foster mutual respect for each other's beliefs, "champion each other's just causes" and promote understanding for each other's history and traditions.
It also creates a Catholic-Muslim Institute that will provide educational programs at the mosque and at churches.
"Things have unfolded in a much better way, by the grace of God, than I had envisioned," said Rahman, a native of Pakistan and retired director of corporate information technology at Rohm & Haas Co. "This is all His blessing.
"I don't think I could have imagined signing an agreement with a community of a half-million Catholics in such a short time," he said. "History is being made."
In a statement, Galante called the agreement "a significant step toward a deepening respect and understanding" between area Muslims and Catholics.
"As we move forward and call to mind the things that unite us, we do not gloss over our differences," the bishop added.
"Indeed, an honest acknowledgment of these differences, grounded in truth and goodwill, far from being an impediment, is necessary if there is to be authentic, fruitful dialogue, marked by reciprocity and mutual respect."
