AMV Participates in
Interfaith Peace Prayers
Adeel
with Dr. I. Hatem Bazian |
The American Muslim
Voice (AMV) actively participated in the San Francisco Bay
Area rallies and interfaith service held to commemorate
the 2nd anniversary of the Iraq war.
A massive demonstration was held on March 19th in San Francisco
which drew about 25,000 participants from Northern California.
The demonstrators carried mock coffins draped in the American
flag, images of maimed Iraqi children and umbrellas with
peace signs.
The AMV introduced new faces as its main speakers. Adeel
Iqbal, UC Berkeley student and American Muslim Voice Youth
Director who is of Pakistan origin, was among the many speakers
who addressed the rally. Adeel was also interviewed by KPFA
radio.
Reverend Cecil Williams from Glide Church and Dr. Hatem
Bazian, Professor at the Near East and Ethnic Studies Department,
University of California, Berkeley were other prominent
speakers at the rally.
Many interfaith services were held in San Jose on March
20.
Multi faith Voices for Peace & Justice along with many
other congregations organized a special service at the First
Unitarian Church in San Jose to mourn the dead in Iraq and
to pray for peace. The interfaith service was attended by
Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists and Hindus.
Adnan Iqbal of the American Muslim Voice youth group mesmerized
the congregation with Azan in his melodious voice. Addressing
the audience Ms Samina Sundas emphasized the message of
the Holy Qur’an about the unity of mankind. In this
context she presented the following Surah Hujuraat (number
49, verse 13):
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male
and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that
you may know each other (not that you may despise (each
other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God
is (he who is) the most righteous of you. God is All-knowing
and All-aware.
The interfaith participants later marched to the Veteran’s
Plaza to join about 2,000 other demonstrators. Dr. Hatem
Bazian and AMV’s Executive Director Ms. Sundas represented
the Muslim community at the San Jose peace rally.
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