Muslim prayer opens Congress

Washington, NU Online
The silence in the great hall of the Congress was deafening as imam Abdullah Antepli started delivering the opening prayer for the House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 3.

"Asalam alaikum… peace be with you," Antepli, the Muslim chaplain at Duke University, told the attendees who stood and bowed their heads in respect.<>

"O God of all nations, look with favor upon this esteemed Congress. Guard these important decision-makers with your divine light," he said.

"Be the source of strength and comfort. Enable them to serve you and glorify your names by serving the citizens of this great nation and to the entire humanity regardless of their gender, ethnicity or religion."

This was only the third time a Muslim religious leader was invited to deliver the opening prayers of the Congress since the tradition began in 1789 with the first Continental Congress.

"It was such a humbling moment," Antepli, who joined Duke University as its first ever Muslim chaplain in 2008, told IslamOnline.net.

He believes that inviting him to deliver the Congress opening prayer sends a message at a time Muslims and Islam are at the center of attention in America.

"The news that a Muslim imam is delivering opening prayer for the Congress came as a breath of fresh air," says Antepli.

"It lifted some of the burden off the hearts and minds of many Muslims who have been wounded by post 9/11 realities in the US."

Though there are no official figures, America is estimated to be home to nearly 7-8 million Muslims.

Many believe they have become sensitized to an erosion of their civil rights since 9/11 attacks.

Proud

Congressman David Price of North Carolina praised Antepli, the founder and executive board member of the Muslim Chaplains Association and a member of the National Association of College and University Chaplains.

"Throughout his two years as Muslim chaplain in Duke University he has done great achievements in terms of spreading understanding and diversity," he told the session.

"It is a great honor to have him here delivering the opening prayer."

The Congress hall was full of members of the Muslim community and leaders of Muslim organizations who came to attend the prayer delivered by Antepli.

Aisha Yasin says she was thrilled to know a Muslim is going to give the prayer this time.

"It is quite amazing," she told IOL correspondent who attended the ceremony.

"It is a great feeling to have a Muslim imam delivering such tradition deeply rooted in the American history."

Dr. Mohamed El Sanousi, director of community outreach and communications for the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), was equally impressed.

"It is very significant for the community to have this sense of pride to feel included in the society," he told IOL.

"It gives a message that despite all that is happening, and what is written in the media about Muslims, still there is hope," said the community leader.

"Muslims are part of the fabric of the American society and will not be ignored." (iol/dar)