Islamic Centers Participa te in WorcestorMayor’s Inauguration Ceremony

By Tahir Ali

Worcester, MA: Joseph M. Petty, the Mayor of Worcester city, invited Tahir Ali (PR WIC, ISGW) and the Imam of the Worcester Islamic Center to participate in his 8th term inauguration ceremony. The Doherty Memorial HS auditorium was jam packed. The welcome address was presented by Dr Charles Steinberg, the President of the Worcester Red Sox. The Invocation was given by Rabbi Moshe M. Liberow. The Prayer was offered by Pastor Samuel Jojo Forson. Oath-taking of the Councilors and the Mayor was conducted by Massachusetts District Court's Judge, Hon James G. Haddad. Following Mayor Petty's inaugural address, the closing remarks and prayer were given by myself and Imam Vajid Pathan, respectively.  

Acknowledging and thanking the Mayor for honoring us at the historical moment, I said, "It's an honor to be here representing the Muslim Centers in Worcester. I have been in touch with the Mayor's office since 1994. I had the pleasure of working with Mayor Mariano, then in 2002 with Mayor Tim Murray, followed by Mayor Konstantina Lucas since 2007, and then with you, Mayor - since you took office in 2012. Yes, I am old." Amid laughter and applause, I went on to say, "Seriously, we are all so grateful to you Mayor: You have brought fiscal stability, education reforms, community engagement and development in the City of Worcester. You and your team have made the City a much more desirable place to live in. You have become the longest serving mayor in Worcester (14 +2 years). Are you trying to break the record or something, you need 6 years more to break Meninos' record, but before you go there, think about Beacon St, Governor Petty sounds good - and don't worry you will still get a free haircut .... Give it up for the Mayor." 

Vajid Pathan, the Imam and resident Islamic Scholar of the Worcester Islamic Center, gave a powerful ending prayer. He was very articulate: "O Allah, we praise you, the Lord of the Prophets, Revealer of the Old Testament to Moses, the New Testament to Jesus, the Messiah and the Final Testament to Mohammad, the seal of the prophets.  In wisdom we seek His (Allah's) guidance and, in His mercy, we place our hope. O' God we ask you to grant success and wisdom to our mayor Joseph Petty."

Present in the audience, and duly recognized, were Dr Imran Nawaz, the President of the Islamic Council of New England ICNE, Farooq Mirza of Wayland Islamic Center, my wife Labiba and daughter Uzma, and prominent community members.

Below is a 30 second link an overview of the inauguration:

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