ISNA President Participates in U.S. Presidential Inauguration

Yesterday the Islamic Society of North America’s (ISNA) President Imam Mohamed Magid and Vice President Azhar Azeez attended the second inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama, congratulating our nation’s leader on four more years. This morning, Imam Magid offered prayers at the National Prayer Service in the Washington National Cathedral.  He joined other faith leaders in praying for the President’s ability to address our nation’s needs and challenges throughout his second term.  Four years ago, then-ISNA President Dr. Ingrid Mattson also represented American Muslims by offering her prayers at the National Prayer Service. Imam Magid said this prayer during the service: “Guide, we beseech You, O Allah, all those to whom we commit the government of this nation.  Give them the discernment and self-control necessary to our time.  May they consider all questions calmly, negotiate sincerely, and act wisely and promptly in all things.  Give them the desire to uphold the right, abhorring the wrong and performing that which is just so that in all things, Your will may be done.” On Sunday night, ISNA co-sponsored the Muslim American Inaugural Benefit Gala in Washington, DC, an event which provided a venue for American Muslims to celebrate a national event as well as the achievements of American Muslims over the past four years.  Imam Magid spoke at the event and members of ISNA’s Majlis ash-Shura were in attendance. At the event, President Obama’s Special Envoy Rashad Hussain took the opportunity to congratulate ISNA on its 50th anniversary of outstanding service to the American Muslim community. WATCH a full video of the National Prayer Service on C-SPAN here.