Imam invited to bless new legislative session

In a Saskatchewan first, a Muslim blessing will be delivered to open up a new legislative session.

On Wednesday, when MLAS return to Regina’s Legislative Building, Imam Sheikh Mohammed will provide a blessing.

“I was actually so honoured, me and my community are so excited,” said Mohammed. “We feel recognized for the first time to speak.”

He plans on reading a chapter of the Quran that focuses on guidance.

“We ask the Almighty to guide all of humanity,” said Mohammed, who said he will be making the prayer for all Canadians to bring blessings, harmony and peace.

Speaker of the legislative assembly and Saskatchewan Party MLA for Regina-coronation Park Mark Docherty spearheaded the plan.

“I’ve got a number of connections and friends within the Muslim community, and I approached them and asked,” Docherty said, when asked about where the idea came from.

“It’s a reflection of the new Saskatchewan. I think that Saskatchewan, in terms of its population has become a province of inclusion and diversity, so I wanted to see if it was possible, whether the imam would be interested in bringing a blessing to the legislature.

“I happily found out that he was,” he said.

He said he did not check with any MLAS before he made the decision, but anticipates their reaction to be one of “openness.”

Munir Haque, the president of the Islamic Association of Saskatchewan’s Regina chapter, said for him the blessing on Wednesday is a sign of things to come.

“I think it will open up dialogue within (Docherty’s) party and

within the legislature on kind of where they go in the future,” Haque said.

He said it also signifies the “overall acceptance of other faiths and cultures in Saskatchewan, and that the landscape on the Prairies is changing, and our leaders are reflecting that.”

Haque echoed Mohammed in being honoured by the ask from Docherty.

“It’s a positive move, and as I always often think in my mind, our leaders and our leading parties should reflect their constituents. As there is more diversity in our community, I think our leaders have to reflect that,” he said, adding you don’t need to be a visible minority to champion a minority, or a Muslim to be a champion of Muslims.

A First Nations elder will also be present, offering an Indigenous blessing — which has occurred in prior openings of the legislative assembly.

Each day of the sitting of the legislative assembly opens with a Christian prayer.