I reflected on how unlikely it was that I, just a resident of Eastern Connecticut and an Ahmadi Muslim immigrant from England, was sitting in this auspicious, historic hall, right under the relief portrait of Simon de Montfort.
Source/Credit: The Bulletin
By Dr. Muhammed Qureshi | January 20, 2016
As I sat in the gallery of the House Chamber at the United States Capitol, I soaked in what was about to commence: the State of the Union address by President Barack Obama. Elevating the eminence of the experience was the fact that this would be his last.
I reflected on how unlikely it was that I, just a resident of Eastern Connecticut and an Ahmadi Muslim immigrant from England, was sitting in this auspicious, historic hall, right under the relief portrait of Simon de Montfort. In the same hall was a relief portrait of Suleiman the Magnificent, a great Muslim leader.
In the last two months, I had been the face of the 250 members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community from Baitul Aman Mosque, whose message is peace, love, forgiveness and prayer. All of us believe in God almighty; his holy prophets including Jesus and Muhammad; the books of God including the Bible and the Quran; and the holy Messiah Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and the uniting holy figure of his fifth successor, Khalifa Mirza Masroor Ahmed.
This belief leads to the true message of Islam, which rejects all kinds of terrorism, extremism and radicalism and promotes equality of women, loyalty to one’s country, freedom of speech and human rights — hence our motto, “Love for all, hatred for none.”
I was not just representing the congregation of my mosque, but also all the tireless workers of United Community & Family Services, who remove the pain and suffering of the vulnerable residents of Eastern Connecticut. I was also representing the countless nurses, doctors and workers of The William W. Backus Hospital who work day and night to help residents in need in greater Norwich. I felt that each one of them deserved to be sitting there instead of me.
My expectation from the president’s speech was that he would speak for all Americans, without division of race, religion or political affiliation, and that he would lead the United States in dealing with other nations justly. He did not disappoint.
Our country’s response to the menace of Ebola was a prime example. In my work for the charitable organization Humanity First, I saw how, with the help of the United States, the epidemic was contained in Liberia and surrounding countries. I also applaud the armed services of the United States for their work in western Africa.
President Obama spoke for all Americans when he stated, “We need to reject any politics — any politics — that targets people because of race or religion. … When politicians insult Muslims … when a mosque is vandalized or a kid is called names, that doesn’t make us safer. … It’s just wrong.”
Finally, I have to thank Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, for his magnanimity and courage in selecting me as his guest when he could have chosen thousands of others. The gratitude and hospitality my family and I received cannot be described in words. I wholeheartedly applaud him and the president for standing up for us.
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-- Dr. Muhammed Qureshi, of Marlborough, is president of the Connecticut chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He practices at UCFS and Backus.
Read original post here: Perspective: Attending State of the Union was inspiring experience | Dr. Muhammed Qureshi
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