Imam Dr. Tahir Kukaj/
Merciful Loving God, known by many names and beyond all names—Spirit of Life, Spirit of Love, Spirit of Community, Spirit of Justice:
We assemble for this historic event, Lord, yes, as grateful citizens of a New York City that we are proud to call home, but also as humble people of faith who simply yet sincerely confess as Americans, In God we Trust! Thus do we acclaim you as our creator who made us in a perfect image, thus rendering the human person and human life as sacred, endowing us with rights calling for protection, and with freedom not so much to do whatever we want but what we ought. We profess you as our common God, a Creator who unites us, a lawgiver who has implanted within us a grasp of the truth, a thirst for justice, and a belief that we are at our best when our will is consonant with your own. To these distinguished legislators, we ask the gift of the wisdom only you can bestow, a reclaiming of the honor and nobility of public service, and a sensitivity to those in need. Please enlighten in a radiant way our leader’s city council members; we ask your blessings on the people who have been called to lead the community in which we live and work, and play.
Our Lord! Remind them, because we all forget from time to time, especially in the noisiness of what passes for political debate today, that they are not only leaders but also servants and that it is their responsibility and ours to serve the common good of all.
Remind them that, no matter where we live, everyone in this city: black or white, Hispanic or Asian, Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Sikh, LGBTQ or atheist—is our neighbor, our sibling and that throughout the ages, prophets have called the leaders of the people to respect and protect the least of those among us—our children, the elderly, the poor, those who are hungry, those who have no homes, those who are ill in body, mind, or spirit, the strangers and immigrants in our midst, those who live on the margins, those who are alone, those who are forgotten.
Grant them and us the wisdom and courage to know and do what is right and good and true. May they and we speak out when it is time to speak out and listen, patiently and receptively, when it is time to listen. May they and we always are guided by the spirit of community, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of love.
You never summon us to duty without supplying us the grace to do it. That blessed assurance consoles us. May all we do, dream, and decide here Lord, be only to our credit when we one day stand before you, the omnipotent lawgiver and supreme judge. You who live and reign forever and ever.
O God, O our Master! You Have eternal life and Everlasting peace through your essence and attributes. The everlasting peace is from you, And it returns to you, O our Sustainer! Grant us the life of True peace and usher us into The abode of peace.
God Bless Our City Council, Our City, our state, and always God bless USA. Amen
Best Regards
Imam Dr. Tahir Kukaj
City Council Invocation, 12/07/2022.