July 7, 2009

MPAC Senior Advisor Dr. Maher Hathout at Villaraigosa Inauguration

Last week, MPAC Senior Advisor Dr. Maher Hathout joined a dozen local religious leaders for the Interfaith Inauguration of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's second term.

Hosted by the First AME Church, the Interfaith Inauguration Ceremony featured prayers and inspiring musical performances from the Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddist, and Sikh traditions.

For his contribution, Dr. Hathout quoted a verse from the Quran that serves as a prayer:

"God does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear: in his favor shall be whatever good he does, and against him whatever evil he does. O our Sustainer! Take us not to task if we forget or unwittingly do wrong! O our Sustainer! Lay not upon us a burden such as Thou didst lay upon those who lived before us! O our Sustainer! Make us not bear burdens which we have no strength to bear! And efface Thou our sins, and grant us forgiveness, and bestow Thy mercy upon us! Thou art our Lord Supreme: succour us, then, against people who deny the truth!" (2:286)

In addition to the mayor, City Attorney-elect Carmen Trutanich, Controller-elect Wendy Greuel and eight council members - Ed Reyes, Dennis Zine, Paul Koretz, Richard Alarcon, Jan Perry, Bill Rosendahl, Eric Garcetti and Janice Hahn - were sworn in to office on the steps of City Hall following the interfaith ceremony.

-- Edina Lekovic (edina@mpac.org)
Communications Director