Sura Ar-Rahman Mesmerizes
Thanksgiving Audience at St. John’s Church
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali
As part of interfaith effort, Khalid
Saeed, American Muslim Voice Director for Northern California,
was invited by the St. John’s United Church of Christ,
Woodland, to speak at a Thanksgiving Service, on November
21. The service was organized by eight local church leaders.
Mr Saeed was accompanied by Imam Tasawar Iqbal of the Woodland
Mosque who gave a recitation of Sura Ar-Rahman that mesmerized
the audience. There was pin drop silence when Imam Tasawwar
recited the sura.
Khalid Saeed speaks at the Thanksgiving function
After the recitation
of Sura Ar-Rahman, Khalid Saeed took the opportunity to
give a brief introduction of the Qur’an. He said:
“As most people present here are not very familiar
with the Holy Qur’an, I will briefly put it in proper
perspective and context before the translation of the verses
of the Qur’an just read. The Qur’an has 30 parts
and 114 chapters. It is not a book of history but a book
of guidance, though it talks about some historical facts
and incidences for us to draw lesson.”
Explaining the Ar-Rahman he said that this title deeply
relates to the subject matter of the Surah, because from
the beginning to the end, the manifestations and fruits
of Allah's Attribute of mercy and grace have been mentioned.
This Surah or chapter addresses the human beings and reminds
them that among all the creations they are the vicegerent
of God on the earth. They are reminded of His countless
Blessings on them and their own helplessness and accountability
before Him and have been warned of the evil consequences
of His disobedience and made aware of the best results of
His obedience.
Thanksgiving prayers at the St.John ’s
United Church
Another important truth
that has been expressed is that Allah has established the
entire system of the universe precisely and equitably on
justice, and the nature of this system requires that those
who dwell in it should also adhere to justice within the
bounds of their authority and should not disturb the balance,
he added.
“Helping a fellow human is a true service to God.
while we are thanking the Lord Almighty for His Blessings
on us on this Thanksgiving Day and when we are helping the
less fortunate here in USA, please pray for an end of the
sufferings of humanity in the world, especially in Palestine,
Afghanistan an Iraq,” Khalid Saeed concluded.
Earlier, psalms and passages from the Old Testament were
read to the congregation. The former Yolo County Supervisor,
Tom Stallard, was introduced as “the man of the community”
who read a Thanksgiving proclamation first read by President
Abraham Lincoln on Oct. 3, 1863. Lincoln declared last Thursday
of November the day of Thanks during the civil war, making
Thanksgiving a national holiday in America.
The local Muslim community joined the congregational members
in bringing canned food and offerings to support the local
Food Closet and Yolo Wayfarer Center. Khalid Saeed spelled
out the sprit of the day: “Giving thanks to God Almighty
for all blessings and sharing those blessings with our fellow
humans who are less fortunate.”
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