Ministerium: Prayers for the Akonjee and Uddin Families

PORTSMOUTH, NH — To the families of Imam Maulana Akonjee and There Uddin:

It is with great sadness that we receive the news of the tragic deaths of Imam Maulana Akonjee and his colleague There Uddin. We feel a kinship to these two men of God as they dedicated themselves to bringing people closer to each other and to the creator. This is indeed the shared calling of our fellowship. Although we never met Imam Maulana Akonjee and his colleague There Uddin we consider them as brothers. We mourn them as such.

We offer a prayer penned by President George Washington on August 21, 1790.

“May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.”

As clergy we are dedicated to bringing together the human family. We strive to supplant hatred and bigotry with mutual understanding and respect. Today, we rededicate ourselves to these noble ideals in memory of our brothers Imam Maulana Akonjee and There Uddin.

May God console you and bless you. May the memories of your beloved inspire acts of love, charity and kindness.

Sincerely, the colleagues of Ministerium - Seacoast Interfaith Clergy Association

Reverend Michele Bagby Allan, United Church of Christ, North Hampton, NH

Reverend Fr. Gary Belliveau, Corpus Christi Parish (RC) – Portsmouth, NH

Reverend Robert Fellows, Community Congregational Church (UCC), Greenland, NH

Reverend Chris Jablonski, South Church (UU) – Portsmouth, NH

Carol Jacques-Dow, Pastoral Associate, Corpus Christi Parish (RC) – Portsmouth, NH

Reverend Phil Johnson, Seventh Day Adventist Church - Portsmouth, NH

Chaplain Elissa Kaplan Senter, Portsmouth Regional Hospital

Dr Paris Khavari, Baha'i Community - Portsmouth, NH

Reverend Rev Carolyn H Keilig, North Church (UCC) - Portsmouth, NH

Reverend David 'Chip' Robinson, Christ Episcopal Church - Portsmouth, NH

Trinity Episcopal Church - Hampton, NH

Rabbi David Ross Senter, Temple Israel - Portsmouth, NH

Reverend Lauren Smith, South Church (UU) - Portsmouth, NH

Reverend Robert E. Stevens, Jr., St. John's Episcopal Church - Portsmouth, NH

Reverend Betsy Webber, First United Methodist Church - Portsmouth, NH

Reverend Anne Williamson, St. John's Episcopal Church - Portsmouth, NH