When Imam Talib Shareef of Masjid Muhammad in Northwest D.C. learned he was scheduled to deliver the invocation on Tuesday night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), he immediately expressed his gratitude for being able to take part in the momentous occasion.
“I give all praise and thanks to Almighty G-d for the invitation and opportunity to participate in this exciting and historic event,” Shareef told The Informer. “Being invited is an important statement from the DNC, its candidate, and our nation.”
During the convention on Aug. 20, Shareef’s prayer emphasized justice, peace and celebrating diversity for a better and stronger nation and world.
“Bless us to embrace our shared identity and diverse expressions of life that contribute to the beauty and strength of America, a nation of nations, made up of people coming together from every land,” Shareef said during the prayer witnessed by millions nationwide and globally. “In moving forward with a bold vision for the future, we pray it will reflect our nation’s diversity and intrinsic nature to live together intelligently.”
Shareef told The Informer that his participation in the DNC shows “that Islam is a welcomed part of our nation, as are all the other faith traditions.”
He also said his participation shows “that the Harris-Walz ticket is committed to our nation’s diverse population, its foundational values and laws protecting religious freedom.”
District resident Ibrahim Mumin emphasized the importance of Shareef having such a massive platform, to continue his work to offer hope and unity locally, nationally and worldwide in a time of divisiveness.
“To me the importance of the moment is that we have to be intentional,” said Ibrahim Mumin. “We have to have relationships with everybody. We have to be mature and not just emotional.”
Mumin also said Shareef’s participation in the DNC emphasized the importance of having diverse voices heard by all Americans voting in the general election.
“The choices are Trump or Kamala,” Mumin told The Informer. “When it comes down to voting, we have to be around the table. We can’t have everybody outside the table.”