14 September 2001

Muslim Prayer of Imam of Islamic Society of North America

Following is the text of the Muslim prayer delivered by Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi at the interfaith service in the National Cathedral on the Day of Remembrance, September 14, commemorating the terrorist attacks three days earlier:

National Day of Prayer and Remembrance
Prayer Service at The National Cathedral
Washington, September 14, 2001
A Muslim Prayer
by Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi
(Imam, The Islamic Society of North America)

In the Name of God, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Lord, you said and your words are true:

If any do seek for glory and power, to God belong all glory and power. To Him mount up all words of purity. He exalts all righteous deeds. But those that lay the plots of evil, for them is a terrible penalty; and the plotting of such shall not abide. (The Qur'an, Fatir 35:10)

Goodness and evil are not equal. Repel the evil with the good. Then will he between whom and you was hatred become as it were your friend and intimate. But no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and restraint, none but persons of the greatest good fortune. (The Qur'an, Fussilat 41: 34-35)

We turn to you, our Lord, at this time of pain and grief. We witness the evil of destruction and the suffering suffered by many of our compatriots. With hearts weighed down with grief and with tears in our eyes, we turn to You, our Lord, to seek comfort. O Lord, Help us in our distress, keep us united as people of diverse faiths, colors and races, keep our country strong for the sake of good and righteousness, and protect us from evil. Ameen.