God, Guide us in the Straight Path

 

In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

 All Praises be to God, Lord of all the worlds

 The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

 Master of the day of judgment

 You alone we worship and from you alone,  we seek help

 Guide us to the straight path

 The path of those who have earned your favor, not those who have earned your wrath, nor those who have gone astray.

Protests, both peaceful and violent have occurred during the past few days after the shooting by police of an unarmed man in an Illinois town. One of the peaceful protests was by NBA players, including the Milwaukee Bucks, who decided not to take part in a playoff game. Other players and teams may follow suit. 

Jacob Blake was shot seven times in the back as he was entering his vehicle where three of his children were sitting. He was involved in a domestic altercation and walked away from police, unarmed, as they attempted to arrest him. While we don't know all the circumstances, the violence of the response appears unwarranted and has left Blake paralysed. 

Jacob Blake Sr. 

Blake's father, Jacob Sr., participated in a news conference where he began by reciting an essential prayer of Islam in Arabic. The translation is above and the phrase "guide us to the straight path" in universal in this time of racial unrest in America where violence against people of colour is so common. We hear similar concerns about excessive force used in this country as well, along with racial profiling.

Sureely all of can pray that God guide us in the straight path toward mutual understanding, compassion, and peace.