Dr. Mohammed Qureshi, a Norwich physician who specializes in internal medicine, has been invited to be the guest of U.S Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Connecticut) at President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address. A November shooting, which penetrated the walls of a prayer room inside the mosque, was the impetus for the invitation.
“When I got the call from Congressman Courtney, it was beyond my wildest imagination,” said Qureshi, who presides over the Baitul Aman Mosque.
Courtney’s call came because of a close call. Federal investigators said four shots from a high-powered rifle used by a neighbor of the mosque hit the building during the early morning hours of Nov. 14. The shooting happened several hours after the Paris terrorist attacks, which killed over 130 people.
Ted Hakey, Jr., 48, who lives next door to the mosque, was arrested several days after the shooting and charged with intentionally damaging a religious property, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison because the act was carried out with a firearm. Hakey claims he harbors no ill toward Muslims and that he hit the building by accident, while aiming at a wood pile in his yard.
In Hakey’s indictment the government cites dozens of Facebook posts by Hakey, including one saying “If we all kill just 1 Muslim each tonight, it will make a dent.”
Despite this sentiment, Qureshi says he would like to meet with Hakey, once the legal proceedings are completed. Qureshi says he could have done a better job introducing the surrounding community to the mosque, which he said is open to people of all beliefs.
If presented the opportunity to meet with Obama, Qureshi says he would ask him to help Muslims spread the true meaning of their faith.
“The Quran tells us to be loyal, to be faithful, to condemn violence,” said Qureshi.
Courtney thinks, given the climate and some anti-Muslim sentiment, this near-miss at the mosque needs to have a national stage.
“Amazing! Unbelievable. I never expected this,” said an appreciative Qureshi, who says he will reciprocate by inviting Courtney to the mosque.
Michael J. Zacchea of Brookfield will be the guest of Senator Richard Blumenthals (D-Conn.) for the President’s State of the Union address. Zacchea is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, receiving two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart for his heroic service during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was wounded in the 2nd Battle of Fallujah in 2004 and is now medically retired. He currently serves as the Program Manager for the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities at the University of Connecticut School of Business, helping to support veterans in establishing and growing businesses.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced that he has invited Mark Barden to be his guest for the State of the Union address. Barden is the co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise, a community organization dedicated to finding sensible solutions to prevent gun violence. His 7-year-old son Daniel was killed in the horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty announced Chief of Police for the City of New Britain James Wardwell will join her for the State of the Union Address.
Rep. John Larson will bring James Tillman, a man who spent 18 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted before the innocence project used DNA to free him.