Republicans Lois McMahan of Gig Harbor and Cary Condotta of East Wenatchee stood in the back of the chamber during the invocation Monday by Mohamad Joban, imam of the Islamic Center of Olympia. McMahan said her decision not to listen to the prayer was "an issue of patriotism."

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) urged Republican leaders to repudiate the lawmakers' attitudes.

"How many times must American Muslims ask Republican leaders to repudiate Islamophobic hate within their own ranks?" said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. "Americans must not allow the actions of a few, whatever their positions of authority, to divide our nation along religious and ethnic lines."

State GOP chairman Chris Vance said McMahan and Condotta do not represent the Republican party.

"The views expressed by Lois McMahan are not shared by the Republican Party," Vance said. "President Bush is the leader of the Republican Party, and he has been clear from day one that he does not view Islam as the enemy or the problem."

Attendance is spotty for the daily prayer, which is given at the opening of each Senate and House floor session by someone selected from a broad range of clergy by Associated Ministries of Thurston County.

"We open this session of House of Representatives in the name of Allah, the one God of Abraham, God of Moses, God of Jesus, and God of Mohammed, peace be upon them all," Joban said in part on Monday morning. "We ask Allah or God to bless the state of Washington so it may continue to prosper and become a symbol of peace and tranquility for people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds. We pray that Allah may guide this House in making good decisions for the people of Washington.

"At this time, we also pray that America may succeed in the war against terrorism. We pray to God that the war may end with world peace and tranquility."

Condotta told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer he was talking to another lawmaker and "let's just say I wasn't particularly interested" in the prayer. He would not elaborate.

McMahan told the Seattle P-I on Monday she did not oppose having a Muslim deliver the prayer but did not remain in the chamber because "the religion is the focal point of the hate-America sentiment in the world."

"The Islamic religion is so ... part and parcel with the attack on America. I just didn't want to be there, be a part of that," she said. "Even though the mainstream Islamic religion doesn't profess to hate America, nonetheless it spawns the groups that hate America."

House Minority Leader Cathy McMorris, R-Colville, said that House Republicans support the tradition of offering daily prayers and welcome leaders of different faiths, including Islam, to the House floor.

On Tuesday, McMahan sent out a statement saying that she did not walk out on the prayer, as first reported, but chose to remain off the House floor for "personal reasons."

"This action was not meant to make any public statement," McMahan said in the written statement. "I defend the right of any individual from the Muslim faith to be represented in the House."

McMahan did not return phone calls seeking comment on Tuesday. She did not apologize.

Kathy Erlandson, director of the ministerial group, said she was disappointed but not surprised.

"It makes me embarrassed to know that some of our legislators can't even treat someone with that common respect," she said. "He's an American citizen and he's praying for their work, then how can it be an act of patriotism to walk away?"

Joban said the walkout reflected ignorance.

"They're unable to distinguish between Islam as religion and way of life, and bad Muslims," he said.

"Even if half of them leave, it's OK for me," he added. "As a Muslim we have to respect what people believe and ... we have to forgive something because of ignorance.

"The holy Quran says that (one should) always respond to bad action with good and those who used to be enemies become friends."