The American Congress started its session with Islamic invocations as an appreciation for Islam, as one of the main religions in the United States and for the increased role of Muslims there. The invocation was read by the head of the mosque of Dar Al-Higra [litt: House of Emigration] in the state of Virginia. The invocation included translations of some Qur’anic verses and the Sura Al-Fatha [The opening].