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Sunday 14 Feb 2016 - 13:40 Makkah mean time-5-5-1437
Janan Najeeb Photo: Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin, US (IINA) - A Muslim woman in Wisconsin in US offered prayers on the floor of the state assembly on Thursday in what is thought to be a first for the US state, The Express Tribune reported.
Janan Najeeb, a prominent member of Wisconsin’s Muslim community and a longtime participant in local interfaith efforts, was invited by Milwaukee Democratic Representative Mandela Barnes to offer the opening prayer.
“I’m honoured and excited. I’m also a little bit surprised because, based on what the clerk has sent, it’s safe to say I’m the first Muslim to do so,” Najeeb, who is the president of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition and founder of the Islamic Resource Center, said.
Najeeb offered a general prayer as well as two citations from the Holy Qur’an that speak about the value of diversity.
She added that she hoped lawmakers “will realize that Muslims are part of the fabric of our society…and we are adding our story to the stories of the many communities that came before us and created this country.”
Barnes, who considers Najeeb a friend, said he invited her in an effort to promote diversity in what is a predominantly white, Christian body and to present a more balanced picture of Muslims than that presented in much of the current political rhetoric.
“There is just so much for us to get over in terms of our fears. Muslims want the same things everyone else wants to live peacefully, enjoy themselves and just live and breathe,” Barnes said.
Islamophobic attacks against Muslims have increased considerably after last year’s Paris attacks and San Bernardino shootings. Republic Donald Trump has called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States.
Governor Scott Walker also drew outrage from Muslims and interfaith leaders when he declared during his 2015 presidential campaign that there are only a “handful of reasonable and moderate followers of Islam.”
SM/IINA
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