|
|
|
Interfaith Day of Prayer May 6th 2004 Saad Mohammed Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City
In the Name of God the Beneficent the Merciful
I am very thankful to have this opportunity to talk about the value and the great worth we have here in America to express our views on our respective Religions. I am happy to see that we can all come together on same platform and share our views on the freedom of religion and the freedom to practice our religion as one. We are neighbors we are friends we are a community living among each other. And as friends and neighbors living together in society we can only learn from one another and grow by coming together and building bridges of communication and education. The Holy Quran tells us in
O mankind We created you from a single pair of male and female and made you into different nations and tribes that you may know one another (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honored in the sight of God is he who is the most righteous. Chap. 49 verse 13
The Holy Quran teaches us to recognize one another and learn from one another. We are all family in humanity because we all come from the same parents Adam and Eve. Not only to learn from one another and recognize each other but also not to hate, not to be separate and not to despise our fellow human beings. And we have the freedom to do so without being forced to follow someone else’s agenda. Freedom of religion, freedom of expression and freedom of speech is the foundation of this nation and to go against the gift and the law of God will weaken the very foundation we stand upon today. We all have the right to worship best way we see fit for ourselves without fear of backlash of hurt. The Holy Quran tells us
There is no compulsion in religion Chap 2 verse 256
No one is allowed to take away from anyone the freedom to select the religion they see fit for themselves. It’s a great feeling to know you can practice your religion openly without fear. A lot of other nations do not have this freedom. We can be fair and just to our fellow man not only here in America but as well as abroad. To teach others the fairness of religious adversity and freedom The Holy Quran also says
O you who believe stand firmly for God as witnesses in fair dealing and let not the hatred of others make you swerve to the wrong and depart from justice. Be just that is next to piety. Chap 5 verse 8.
Let’s stay in the right and be just. Let’s not let our differences in religions make us swerve from what is right and go to a path that can only separate and harm our community. Let’s live in peace. Praise God. Let’s continue to build bridges peace be upon you all.
|
|
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”
Copyright © 2003 Americans United -- Oklahoma Chapter P.O. Box 892747 Oklahoma City, OK 73189. Phone and Fax: 405-632-0037 Send mail to jhuff@auok.org with questions about the Oklahoma Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Send mail to bprescott@auok.org with questions or comments about this web site. |
