 |
| Imam Naseem Mahdi: File Photo |
Source/Credit: The Washington Post / Ahmadiyya Times
By Imran Jattala | December 6, 2010
Several hundred people gathered at Rockville High School on Monday at the swearing-in ceremony for the re-elected Montgomery County Executive.
A nine-member council was also sworn-in during the ceremony.
With friends by his side and the crowed in standing ovation, Isiah Leggett (D), the second term County Executive stood in presence of his grandchildren and joined the crowed in singing "America the Beautiful.”
People held hands in prayer as benediction was delivered by Naseem Mahdi, national vice president and missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (AMC).
Montgomery County is home to AMC national headquarters located on Good Hope Road in Silver Spring, MD.
Known as one of the wealthiest counties in the nation, this time around, Montgomery County faces a budget shortfall of $300 million.
While during the ceremony words reflected the sentiments of the hard times that have befallen the county, at the end Imam Naseem Mahdi offered words of optimism, perspective and hope.
According to The Washington Post, Imam Naseem Mahdi prayed that ‘God would help the council lead with integrity, justice and honesty’ and asked God to "infuse in them the spirit of service."
“And he gave thanks on behalf of a county that is still comparatively fortunate: "We know we are still a million times better off than the majority of the population of this planet,"" The Washington Post reported.
The county government pledged tightening of the belt in the coming weeks and months with the public and the county government employees left to feel the pinch.
-- Follow Imran Jattala on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ijattala
-- Montgomery County, USA: Ahmadiyya National Vice President Offers Words Of Hope During Tough Times
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comments. Any comments irrelevant to the post's subject matter, containing abuses, and/or vulgar language will not be approved.