Boston City’s Largest Gathering of Interfaith Organizations

Governor Deval Patrick

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By Ibrahim Abdulkadir

May 28, 2008

 

Boston, MA (HOL) – Leaders across Greater Boston’s interfaith organizations from all religions had come together to celebrate the 10^th anniversary for collaborations on common goals last night. The Case Gymnasium at Boston University was packed with over 1,700 member delegates of Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO), corporate CEO’s and official faces of Boston city and the state of Massachusetts.

 

With a co-chair for the event from Muslim American Society, (MAS), Mr. Bilal Kaleem called on Imam Basyouny Nehela of New England’s largest Mosque (under the final phases of construction) to offer supplications for the opening that emphasized peace, love and guidance.

 

The Muslims, Jews and Christians at the event chanted, “Shared power, shared responsibility and shared sacrifice” as Rev. Hurmon Hamilton of Roxbury Presbyterian Church called for Wal-Mart, Burger King and Boston University to “step forward in sharing the responsibility with us”, stressing the need to insure their employees and contribute to the mandatory health care of the state.

 

The GBIO has displayed some of its successes as several individuals made testimonial addresses, including affordable housing, nursing homes for elders, dept managements and the healthcare which remains the key goal to accomplish for both the State and GBIO.

 

 

Among the attendees from the Somali community were, Mohamoud “Hirey”of Greater Boston Somali Community, Abdullahi Aweys of Islamic Society of Boston, and Aden Hussein who is an activist in the community.

 

The event has also attracted the longest serving mayor of Boston, Thomas Menino; the House Speaker, Salvatore DiMasi; and the first black governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick who praised GBIO for its commitment to tackle issues of great importance in the state.

 

“A thousand souls and seven hundred joined not by a common religion, or by a common workplace, or common profession, or even a common life, but rather by common values of justice, equality and dear friend” said Governor Deval Patrick, whose eloquence of speech reminds many to that of the democratic presidential contender Senator Barack Obama.

 

According to refugee organizations, the Somalis in the State were estimated to be over 4 thousand, with relatively a visible presence in Greater Boston and surroundings. 

Ibrahim Abdulkadir
Hiiraan Online, Boston, MA