Interfaith breakfast for Roxbury mosque

The opening ceremonies for the new mosque in Roxbury Crossing began this morning with a breakfast at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College. There were perhaps 200 people here, including a number of folks who have been active in the Muslim and Christian communities. On the way in, I ran into Bishop M. Thomas Shaw, the Episcopal bishop of Massachusetts, and asked him why he is here; he noted that about 400 Muslims who work downtown regularly worship in St. Paul's Cathedral, and said he wanted "to honor them,'' he also called the new mosque "a very positive contribution to the Boston community, and one that is much needed for interfaith dialogue.''

Salma Kazmi, the longtime mosque spokeswoman and community relations director who left to get a divinity degree at Harvard, emceed the breakfast, kicking it off with an understated, "this day has been a long, long time coming,'' alluding to the 20 years of controversy, lawsuits, and financial challenges that slowed and nearly blocked the project.

Harvard Divinity School Dean William A. Graham, a scholar of Islam gave the keynote speech, and sharply rebuked the mosque’s critics (some of whom are planning to protest outside today), saying, “the mindless attacks in recent years from so-called religious people will soon be forgotten as the center proves itself a center for good people.’’ Graham said the mosque is a testament to American values of freedom and diversity, and criticized “stereotypes and caricatures of Islam” that he called “distortions of a great tradition.’’

“My hope and belief is that this Islamic Center will demonstrate… the power for personal and societal good that the Muslim faith has been and can be,’’ he said. He called the mosque, “a beautiful physical presence and a talented human presence” and “a potential blessing for all Bostonians, not just Muslim Bostonians.”

“I look forward to all that this community will do and say going forward,’’ he said.

Governor Deval Patrick had to cancel his appearance at the breakfast at the last minute to attend the funeral of a soldier from Massachusetts who was killed in Afghanistan, but sent along a video greeting that made his support for the project quite clear. Patrick opened his taped remarks with the Arabic phrase, "Assalamu 'alaykum," meaning “peace be upon you,’’ and called the mosque opening a “wonderful milestone.” He repeatedly spoke of “welcoming you into the community of faith in the Commonwealth,’’ and said, “I look forward to working with you.’’

“Even as I welcome you into the community of the faithful, I eagerly invite you to be part of our civic community,’’ the governor said. “Let’s build stronger bonds and better tomorrows together.’’

Interestingly, the mosque chose one of its more controversial backers, Walid Fitaihi, to recite from the Koran. Fitaihi has been a lightning rod for criticism because he wrote an essay in an Arabic-language newspaper calling Jews “murderers of prophets.” He has since apologized and the mosque said it had reprimanded him.

A string of local religious leaders offered greetings. Bishop Gideon Thompson, president of the Black Ministerial Alliance, said, “I celebrate with you this opportunity we have to create peace and hope in our city. Boston desperately needs all the help we can get…We need you in the city…Our city needs as much peace, love, joy and goodwill that will create an atmosphere of hope that will strengthen and bless our city.’’

The Rev. Jack Johnson, director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, which represents Protestant and Orthodox churches, offered congratulatory remarks, called the opening “a significant moment.’’ “Your entrance in this neighborhood will deeply enrich us,’’ he said.

Rabbi Sanford Seltzer of Hebrew College, one of only a handful of Jews who attended an event largely shunned by Jewish organizational leaders leery of the mosque’s leadership, also offered praise, “at long last Islam has taken its rightful place as a full partner on the American scene.’’

The Rev. Ray Helmick, a Catholic priest who teaches theology at Boston College, said “you’ve had a very rough ride here in Boston where you were confronted by a great deal of bigotry and rejection,’’ and compared the response to this mosque to the bigotry that he said previously greeted Catholics and Jews in America. He called the mosque a “beautiful monument.’’

Later this morning, there will be a ribbon-cutting at the mosque, followed by the first official call-to-worship from the minaret, and an inaugural worship service.

(Photo, by Michael Paulson/Globe staff, shows the interfaith breakfast at Roxbury Community College on June 26, 2009.)