Islamic
House of Wisdom Dinner: An Opportunity to Honor Community’s
Achievements!
October 26, 2013- Islamic
House of Wisdom held its Semi-Annual Fundraising Dinner last Saturday.
The
program began with recitation of the Holy Quran by students of the IHW
Arabic School. Hajj Dave Abdallah, the chairman of IHW's board of Directors
welcomed the guests and briefed them about IHW's programs and projects.
Hajj
Marwan
Houry, the MC of the program called on the spiritual leader of the IHW,
Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi to deliver his dinner message.
Imam
Elahi welcomed the religious, political and organizational leaders and members
of the community with the Quranic salutation of Salaam (peace) and
congratulated the audience on the occasion of Eid al-Ghadir.
Imam
Elahi considered the event of Ghadir as a turning point in the history of Islam. A day
of leadership and day of divine declaration of Imam Ali (as) as the successor of the prophet
Mohammad (pbuh).
Imam Ali
was not only a political leader, but a representative of Islam in its
revelation, reason, truth, justice, love and morality.
Imam
Elahi spoke about the miserable state of the Muslim ummah and stated that the
biggest tragedy of our world is the moral tragedy and crises in leadership and
that is why the message of Al-Ghadir is an international need.
Imam
Elahi explained the services of IHW through education, ethics, outreach, interfaith
and community awareness and asked for more support of the center to continue
its quality services.
In his conclusion, Imam Elahi encouraged
community members to participate in the November 5th election through exercising their right to vote.
During the IHW dinner, five dignitaries from the Muslim
and Christian communities were recognized and awarded for their outstanding
achievements in leadership, love for Justice, social outreach,
interfaith contributions and services to the community!
Mr. Osama Siblani, the Editor in Chief of the Arab
American News invited the award recipients to the
stage and admired them for their proud personal and public achievements.
Osama started from Judge Salem (Sam) Salamey.
Honorable
Salamey of Dearborn District Court Judge is a man of many life
experiences in professional progress and community’s engagements.
Judge
Salamey is committed to contribute to the greatness of Dearborn and its
residents whether through the most successful
law firms, community services and especially the court of justice.
As a community activist he has served in numerous
civic, charitable, business and social organizations. Sam has been a recipient of
many civic awards and admiration! Family and moral values are the last but not
the least in Judge Salamey's list of great achievements.
Honorable Judge Turfe of DEARBORN HEIGHTS was
another dignitary who was invited to the stage.
Judge Turfe was appointed a Chief Judge by the
Michigan Supreme Court last November. Judge David Turfe is known for his hard work,
humbleness, passion for fairness, and respect for the community.
Judge Turfe earned the confidence and support
of residents of Dearborn Heights through his integrity, creative campaign and
practical promises.
Energy, successful management of the court,
fair and objective approach to every case regardless of race, religion and
ethnicity are just parts of what have made Judge Turfe a popular Judge to be
re-elected. He is a true man of family, morality and community.
Osama then invited Mrs. Charlene M. Elder to
the stage.
Honorable Judge Charlene M. Elder
is the first female Muslim judge from the Arab American community in the country.
She is recognized for her commitment to justice and
civil rights within her courtrooms.
Judge Elder’s membership, leadership and volunteerism
in many community organizations have earned her special public respect.
Hajja Charlene is a great role model in modesty,
family values, courage, commitment and enthusiasm to serve the public.
Judge Elder actions, inspiration and accomplishments
should be inspiring for all those community girls who dream accomplishments in
their life!
Dr. Basha was called to the stage.
Dr.
Basha is the Founder and President of Basha Diagnostics, Dr. Yahya Basha
combines the care and compassion, has been serving three of the largest
counties in Michigan through locations in Dearborn, Royal Oak, and Sterling
Heights over 30 years!
Graduated from the University Of Damascus,
Syria, Dr Basha is Man of great achievements in the medical,
educational, civil rights, service in the United States Department of Education
and leadership in many national and international institutions.
As a man
of faith, integrity, and generosity Dr. Basha has been contributing sincerely
to so many humanitarian causes locally and globally.
Dr.
Basha former accolades include: State of Michigan Civil Rights Commission • “Civilian Ambassador” of the U.S. State
Department • Chairman of the American Muslim Council in Washington (AMC) •
Advisor to the American Muslim Taskforce (AMT) • Chair of American Muslim
Political Coordinating Council (AMPCC) • Board Member of the Center for the
Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID) • President of the Islamic Medical
Association- Midwest Region (IMA) • Board of the National American Arab
Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC).
Last but
not the least Awarded dignitary at the IHW dinner was Mr. Jack Seman.
Jack is a member of Michigan Christian
community known for his many decades of sincere interfaith activities. He has
dedicated his life working for peace and justice in metropolitan Detroit.
Since
the establishment of Islamic House of Wisdom in 1995, Jack has been
coming to its interfaith gatherings and generously contributed to the success
and progress of each and every event. No obstacle ever stopped Jack from
working for diversity, unity and brotherhood.
Jack's
famous mottos include, "we must practice what we preach” and “Jack is my name, quality is my game, and justice and truth are my
aims!"
At the
end a short video of IHW's educational, spiritual and interfaith services was
played and the guests moved to the reception hall, where a delicious dinner
sponsored by Dearborn Fresh was served, followed with a group prayer lead by
imam Elahi.
