**Council Member Khan Selects Local Imam to Lead City Council in Prayer **
HOUSTON - Houston City Council Member M. J. Khan tapped local Imam, Zoubir Bouchikhi, to lead the Mayor and Houston City Council in prayer before the regularly scheduled public session today at City Hall.
Praying that Allah bless the City of Houston and the decision-making of its leaders, Imam Zoubir asked that Council Members seek refuge in Allah. The imam continued with the following prayer:
"Allah, Bless our City Council with all blessings. Give Council Members the courage, dedication and wisdom needed to run this City.
Allah, help them do what is right and forbid what is wrong.
Allah, please protect our children and teenagers in particular, and all citizens in general, from violence, drugs and all other crimes.
Oh Allah Almighty, help our beautiful City of Houston to become truly an international city.
Oh Allah, we seek refuge from wicked people, from the worries of livelihood and from ill nature.
Oh Allah, we seek refuge in You from anxiety and grief, from incompetency and laziness, from that which overpowers people.
Oh Allah, enjoin what is good and forgive what is bad. We seek refuge from poverty except in You. We seek refuge from humiliation except from You. We seek refuge from fear except of You.
Oh Allah, we seek refuge in You from false testimony or committing immorality or provoking You.
Oh Allah, we seek refuge in You from enigmatic disease and from the despair of hopelessness.
Oh Allah, You are the Mercy of mercy and the Lord of the universe."
Calling Imam Zoubir “one of the most respected religious leaders of the community,” Council Member Khan thanked Imam Zoubir for his humble prayer on behalf of his fellow colleagues.
Today’s prayer marked a rare occassion in which a Muslim religious leader was called to lead the City Council and the Mayor of Houston in solidarity and prayer.
M. J. Khan
Houston City Council, District F
P.O. Box 1562
Houston, Texas 77251-1562
T 713.247.2002
F 713.247.1851
[email protected]
