Muslim Speaks at Boston Marathon Memorial

            Nasser Weddady, the Muslim representative at the Boston Marathon memorial service, quoted from the Koran to condemn the violence. “Whoever kills a soul, it is as if he killed mankind entirely. And whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of mankind,” he told attendants, who included President Obama and other government officials. He called the attacks “an assault on our fundamental values” of liberty and freedom.

            The Boston bombs went off just a block from Weddady’s office at the American Islamic Congress, where he is director of civil rights outreach. And the attack wasn’t his first experience with bombings. When he was  seven, a bomb went off as he walked home from elementary school in Damascus. He was born in Mauritania but raised in Libya and Syria. He fled to the United States as a refugee in 2000—only to be detained by the FBI after the 9/11 attacks, allegedly due to his appearance. He became a U.S. citizen just one week ago. The following are his prepared remarks and the video clip from the April 18 service.

            Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim – in the name of God, the most compassionate and most merciful.

            Mr. President, Gov. Patrick, Mayor Menino, and fellow citizens of Boston: We are gathered together to mourn the loss of life in a criminal attack on our community. What happened on Monday has shocked and horrified us – but it has also brought us together.

            I come before you to share the message of my community’s scriptures. I want to cite a Quranic passage that I studied when I was seven years old. I was living at the time in Damascus, Syria. One afternoon, while walking back from elementary school, I experienced the terror of a car bomb that exploded on my route home.

            I will never forget the sound of the blast, the confused rush of humanity… the anger and the fear. These feelings returned on Monday.

            What gave me comfort at that time is something that may bring comfort to us today. It is a verse from the Muslim holy scripture, from Surat Al-Maida, verse 32. The passage declares that it is inspired by the Jewish tradition – by a decree to the Children of Israel – that: Whoever kills a soul, it is as if he killed mankind entirely. And whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of mankind.

            On Boylston Street on Monday afternoon – next to a great public library that bears among many names that of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) – we saw souls murdered… but also lives saved.

           This act of terror took place on Patriots Day, when we remember those who died for the liberty and freedom of our great country. This attack is an assault on our fundamental values – values that give us liberty and freedom.

           One week ago, I was at another ceremony here in Boston. I stood in Fanueil Hall with 400 other people – before a bust of Frederick Douglass and John Adams. We came from 77 different countries and all kinds of religious backgrounds. Together we raised our hands and took our oath of citizenship.

           Those of you who are born Americans may not be aware of what naturalized citizens pledge upon officially joining the nation of the Unites States of America. I was profoundly struck the words we recited. We pledged to “defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” And we pledged to “perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law.”

           When I recited this pledge last week, I could not imagine that work of national importance by civilians would be required here in Boston so soon. But now all of us need to take up this pledge.

           We all have service to perform. And indeed we are all moved by the thousands of people who stepped forward in a moment of tragedy and confusion to serve. I want to salute everyone who ran toward the victims despite the risks. Everyone who gave blood. Everyone who volunteered shelter for stranded runners. I want to salute the members of law enforcement who are keeping our streets safe today. And to thank the people around the world who are sending messages of hope and solidarity.

           Before us all is civilian work of national and even international importance. No one has to take a formal oath. We know instinctively that we must rise to the occasion and act because of our common humanity. That is what makes us Americans, one nation, under God.

           And now a prayer: Dear God, ya rahman ya rahim. Oh compassionate one! Oh merciful one! 

           Welcome in heaven those innocent souls who were taken from us - and grant their surviving family members the strength to face their loss.

           Heal the wounds of those hurt last Monday. And heal the wounds of all Bostonians, who are hurting. 

           United by a faith in something greater than ourselves, we the people of Boston – with your blessing – dedicate ourselves to the great task before us: to heal, to rebuild, and to serve once again as a shining City on a Hill. Ya rahman, ya rahim.