Community bracing, organizing to address Trump’s immigration actions
DEARBORN -
In a collective undertaking to effectively respond to President Trump’s action on immigration, dozens of community activists, civil rights leaders and city officials gathered at the Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities (LAHC) hall on Monday, Jan. 30 to address the temporary travel ban, organize efforts to assist impacted local immigrants and campaign against it.
We appreciate the solidarity of our Christian neighbors. We honor a voice of unity, truth and justice, this is authentic America! America of diversity and respect. We thank the media coverage of this national unity all over the country.
If you would like to speak with Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi, the spiritual leader of the Islamic House of Wisdom- you may email him directly at
ImamElahi@IslamicHouseofWisdom.com
Local leaders and community members are speaking out against President Donald Trump’s recent executive order to temporarily halt refugee admission into the United States.
About 250 people came together Sunday afternoon outside the Henry Ford Centennial Library to protest Trump’s executive order and hundreds more joined a protest at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus. Read MORE
More Updates, Soon!
Imam Elahi's Words and Prayer delivered during the Judge Gene Hunt Investiture!
It was a memorable official ceremony. A great number of Michigan Judges, Mayor O’Reilly, Chief Haddad and hundreds of officials and community members were present to see Dearborn's new Judge of the 19th District Court, Honorable Gene Hunt declare the oath and receive the Robe and Gavel.
Wonderful remarks by Judge Hultgren, Chaplain Morse, Judge Bill, Mayor O’Reilly, George Darany, Gary Woronchak, Judge McCarthy, Osama Siblani, David Camaj, Brian Zahra, Lindsey and Lauren, Judge Snow and finally words of acknowledgement by our new Judge, Gene Hunt.
The following were Imam Elahi's closing words and benediction!
Honorable Judges, great guests of this beautiful ceremony, Salaam Alaikum!
Finally the hot season of the campaign is completed and honorable Judge Gene is taking this responsibility as a trust, a test and also a community covenant for the next 6 years.
Let’s say congratulations to Judge Gene Hunt and his beautiful family and also congratulations to those candidates who demonstrated their desires to serve the community and now should feel happy and relaxed for doing their duties while respecting and defending our democracy.
Now it’s time for healing and reconciliation, outreach and cooperation.
Having a new Judge with knowledge and experiences and especially someone who promised during his campaign to change the perception of discrimination and apply the same standards to the powerful and the poor, the haves and the have-nots, is good news.
Let’s Pray!
O God of Justice and Generosity, our Compassionate Creator!
We thank You for this gift of diversity, religious liberty and the sense of unity and community.
You taught us through Moses, Jesus and Mohammad (PBUT) that justice was the foundation of our faith, the first line in the law of creation and revelation and also the first paragraph of our country’s Constitution.
Only through justice we can enjoy peace, love, loyalty, freedom, hope, happiness, unity and brotherhood.
While the evil of injustice creates confusion, crime, corruption, hate, poverty, racism and war.
Please assist our new Judge Gene Hunt in his new job of justice administration and Direct his journey the way You Desire for our community and country!
Energize his heart and his mind with the awareness of Your presence and the power of peace and patience!
Protect him O Lord from the chaos of fear and confusion( especially during the moments of tough decisions) with the light of wisdom, courage, dignity and determination so he can maintain and uphold the rule of law and remember the shining words of Martin Luther King Junior, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
O you who believe, stand up as witnesses for God in all fairness, and do not let the hatred of any people deviate you from justice. Be just: This is closest to piety; and beware of God. Surely God is aware of all you do. [5:8]
Wishing the best success for Judge Gene Hunt.
Ameen!
Thanking the Honorable Lebanese Consul General, Dr. Bilal Kabalan!
Imam Elahi would like to thank our honorable Consul General Dr. Kabalan and all community members, activists and leaders who showed sympathy and respect following the tragic loss of ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Attending the memorial service which was held at IHW and also personal visits and communications indicated the sense of appreciation and gratefulness for our late leaders who dedicated their lives in serving humanity and sacrificing for their values and principles.
In such a messy and chaotic world, respect for one of our spiritual and intellectual leaders was respect for peace and justice, diplomacy and dialogue, building bridges of understanding and brotherhood.
In this photo Ostad AbuWael Chami accompanied Dr. Kabalan in visiting IHW to express their solidarity and prayers.
January 21, 2017- This past weekend, Imam Elahi took part in a Shia Summit of Imam's & Community leaders held in New Jersey.
The flight from Detroit to New Jersey should have taken less than 2 hours of travel time, yet due to flight delays and cancellation- going to the conference took almost 10 hours and returning took more than 1 day of travel time. While the journey was long both going and returning, Imam Elahi was happy to meet with many clergy and also brothers and sisters with high talent and capacity who are eager to assist our community and country.
Considering the current social climate and increase in political challenges for our country and community, this meeting was timely and meaningful.
Being a minority among the minority, the Shia Muslim community should work with other fellow citizens to stop the hate rhetoric and intimidation against any religious or racial groups!
Standing for justice is an order from our Creator and also our conscience!
Disagreement within communities must be discussed with dignity and devotion.
The Shia Muslim community must continue to build bridges of understanding and cooperation and help with the rest of American society, not only at the times of community crisis but also the times their presence is needed to help other fellow citizens!
1-19-17: A Religious Diversity Journey of High School Students gathered at the Islamic House of Wisdom to meet with Muslim peers and to learn about the Islamic Faith.
Thank you to the Religious Diversity Organization, Wise Academy's staff and students, in addition to the staff of IHW for organizing such a beautiful orientation about Islam.
200 Students from various faith backgrounds had an opportunity to explore the mosque, engage in peer-to-peer conversation, were presented with various elements of the Islamic Faith from both Teachers and Students of Wise Academy and Imam Elahi.
The group was welcomed by Imam Elahi, Br. Hussain Charara and Meredith Skowronski of the Religious Diversity Organization.
Following the meet-up, everyone went in to the prayer room where they were briefed on the Islamic Prayer and students of Wise Academy performed a prayer with translation for all to follow. The students then divided into three groups to engage in a discussion and presentation that touched on the basics of Islam to some of the rituals and daily actions of Muslims.
After the groups alternated throughout the three meeting areas, they then split into two groups that switched between sharing lunch together and community service project.
At the end of the day, all of the students came together for reflection and Q&A. The students and adults were separated into groups, where both age groups could ask questions related to their level of interest. Imam Elahi, Sheikh Hassan Habhab, Br. Ahmad Hamdan, Br. Hussain Charara, Hajji Sabah Berry and staff of Wise Academy facilitated the dialogue and engaged in answering questions.
The students completed the day with reflections and highlighted how their perception and understanding changed from the mosque visit and student interaction.
The students were pleased with their visit, just as we were honored to host them.
We are planning for another gathering in the future, if you would like to become involved, please email us at info@islamichouseofwisdom.com.
January 15, 2017- Prayer for Peace and Justice!
Dearborn Area Interfaith Network Honored Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at World Deliverance Temple. Dearborn Heights, Michigan.
Bishop Dr. Roy D. Ferguson welcomed the guests, Mayor John O'Reilly of Dearborn and religious leaders including Rev, Fran, Rev. Karen, Cantor Roger, Brian Stone, Rev. Colleen, Lila Amen, Martha, Al-Zain brothers, shared words of greeting and service.
Before doing the prayer, In addition to Dr. Martin Luther King, Imam Elahi also honored the memory of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani who shared the peacemaking vision of MLK and passed away in Tehran last week.
Text of Imam Elahi's prayer at MLK Interfaith Service!
"In Your Name O Lord of Mercy, Compassion, Light and Beauty, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth.
Thank You for guiding us to this faith and family celebration of prayer and peace.
Thank You for showing us and every society, Your Divine desires for the direction of this world through inspiring role models such as Martin Luther King, leaving no excuse for silence, laziness or moral unconsciousness for anyone!
Forgive us for our forgetfulness, our failures and our injustice to our own souls and please continue to guide us to the road of righteousness, responsibility and remembrance.
Encourage and inspire our political leaders to help stop those bloody wars, terrorism and people's sufferings in Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Bahrain, Burma, holy lands and other troubled areas of the globe including our neighboring towns and cities.
Please help the true civil rights and human rights institutions to continue their calls and contributions to create a world, free of injustice, oppression, hypocrisy, racism, segregation, poverty and violations of basic human rights and dignity.
O Lord we turn to You, put our trust on You and ask You to provide us enough courage, commitment and confidence so we walk on the path of human heroes like Martin Luther King in building a community of peace, justice, diversity, understanding and love.
O Lord please prevent our hearts from entertaining any feeling of resentment and hatred toward Your people and help us to pray together, work together in this world and enjoy the Paradise You promised the faithful in Hereafter! Ameen!" by - Imam Elahi
Imams Council Supports Exhibition of 1001 Inventions in Detroit
For the first time the exhibition of 1001 Inventions will be held in the Michigan Science Center in Detroit in Fall of 2017!
In Imams monthly meeting that rotates in different mosques, and was held at the Islamic Institute of Knowledge yesterday, we got an orientation from Dr. Dima El- Gamal about the details of this exhibition which will show the historic services of Muslim scholars to the world civilization. It will cost over $300,000 to hold this 90 day long exhibition in Detroit next year. It's expected to be visited with more 100,000 people!
It's a powerful educational move against Islamophobia and those who are ignorant of Islam scientific services in the world history!
Those who like to donate for this timely project may do it directly to Unity Center in Bloomfield or through Islamic House of Wisdom, mentioning 1001 Innovations Exhibition! All donations will be tax deductible.
Senator Gary Peters Meeting with Community Members, Discussing Important Domestic and International Issues!
Imam Elahi thanked Fay Beydoun for arranging such a constructive meeting with Senator Peters at the Arab American Chamber of Commerce in Dearborn and for inviting some community members of diverse backgrounds to share their concerns with our senator. Everyone had chance to talk.
Imam Elahi told senator Peters how Dearborn has become a central target of a psychological tsunami of Islomophobia, intimidation and fake propaganda. Big lies like the rule of Sharia law in Dearborn have created a fake perception of our city to the extent that our basic religious liberty is in serious danger! Knowing that our senator is a member of Senate Armed Services Committee, Imam said as we promote National Gun control, we should promote international gun control too. If someone is angry, drunk or insane should not be qualified even to buy a knife, then how our country is selling cluster bombs to Saudi kingdom knowing they use them in their war crimes? Also for the US to be on the side Al-qaeda in Syria is against America integrity and interests.
Imam Elahi mentioned to the senator that the best solution for the Syrian refugee crises is not just to bring few of them to the US. There are 11 millions of Syrians suffering from hunger and homelessness; the best solution would be to end this disastrous war in Syria and let people live where they love to live, their homes!
After the meeting, Imam Elahi got a chance to talk to the senator about the recent sanctions against Iran, despite of historic nuclear agreement and two years of tough negotiations, new sanctions were betrayal of trust and a huge injustice to the Iranian government that showed maximum good intention and determination in ending the taboo of 36 years of not talking with America.
Imam's humble message to our community: Talking with our State and Federal representatives, outreach to other communities, interactions with the media are just part of what our community need to do, if we are serious about ending the evil of intimidation, Islamophobia and fear mongering.
View Photo's of the Meeting HERE
12/19/16: Pledge to Provide Spiritual Assistance to Police Department and the Community During Family or Social Crises!
Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi said it was a pleasure to be among some other Interfaith partners, Dearborn Police Department Chief Ronald Haddad, Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr. police officers and their families this morning at Dearborn's Administration Center Atrium!
During this swearing-in ceremony we made a commitment to volunteer our time when necessary to give spiritual and moral assistance to help friendly communications between the police and suffering families.
Soon there will be one-day seminar of orientation for more discussions and details!
View More Photo's of the Occasion, HERE
Last Night, Wednesday, November 24th- It was a pleasure to spend some time with an energizing interfaith Thanksgiving service at Hamtramck Community Center last night. Imam Elahi shared a few words about appreciation for diversity and avoiding extremism whether religious or political.
Imam enjoyed the words of other speakers from Hamtramck Mayor- Karen Majewski to his friend Rev. Gregory Roberts to the keynote speaker Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah. Thank you CWA and Br. Arif Huskic for organizing such a diverse observation.
We hope you all enjoy this Thanksgiving weekend with your family and friends.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the concept of Thanksgiving is the most central feature in the Abrahamic traditions.
The Quran 75 mentions the term of "shokr" or thanking 75 times!
Every day must be a day of thanksgiving! Every day is 24 hours which is 1440 minutes! We must thank our Lord for every second of this time, which means thanking Him 86400 times a day!!
You may say it's impossible, well thanking is not by tongue only; it's about reflection, remembrance, responsibility and above all, the sense of God's presence in our soul all the times, that is not impossible!
Let's thank God for the gift of life, guidance, provision, faith, family, friends and all other blessings we can't even begin to count.
As you are enjoying your Thanksgiving meal with your family and friends please pray for those who do not have what you have! We live in an unjust world with so much poverty, racism, pain, fear, war, refugees and confusion. Let's pray for those who live in war zones targeted by torture, terrorism, occupation and oppression.
If you can help them in any way possible, that would be your real expression of Thanksgiving!
Congratulations to President Michel Aoun, Consul General of Lebanon Dr. Bilal Qabalan and the Great People of Lebanon!
Shared by Imam Elahi on Facebook- "I just came back home from an amazing assembly of joy and unity celebrated Lebanon National Day of Independence! عيد الإستقلال اللبناني Eid Al-Istiqlal - at the Byblos Banquet Hall.
In November 22nd 1943, 73 years ago today, Lebanon gained its independence from French Mandate rule that last for 23 year!
Ironically, the Israeli military occupation of Southern Lebanon also lasted for 22 years. Liberation Day is celebrated annually on May 25th, since the liberation of the South on May 24, 2000!
In this evening's gathering hundreds of community leaders, activists, interfaith groups and city officials expressed their solidarity with the people and government of Lebanon.
I was happy to have a chance for a friendly conversation with our mayor of Dearborn John O'Reilly and our Chief of Police Ronald Haddad about people's hopes, concerns and expectations after the recent elections!
I pledged the full support of Islamic House of Wisdom in anything we can do to serve the residents of Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and other neighboring cities and towns!"
Beautiful Breakfast, Motivating Message!
Thank you hajj Mohammad Turfe, Br. Zeyad Nasser, Ostad Naim Bazzi and all Members of Bint Jbeil Cultural Center for your beautiful hospitality, honoring Ayatollah Sayyed Munir al-Khabbaz and all of us this morning!
The words of wisdom from our guest were so enriching and awakening.
It's interesting to hear the voice of Islam's universality, its call for peaceful coexistence, defending all places of worships regardless of their religious affiliations, inviting for doing what is good for all the people, what is good for morality, unity, prosperity and what is good for all humanity, to enjoy a dignified life both materially and spirituality.
This was an extremely timely message for all of us as Muslim community, especially after this new election to compete for good actions, beautiful actions and sincere actions.
It's not about mosques and schools only, it's about every community member's responsibility. More engagement, outreach and interaction between Muslim community and the rest of fellow citizens.
Focusing on what may unite us rather than what may divide us!
Thank you Sayyid M. B. Kashmiri for inviting Ayatollah al-Khabbaz and for you coordination!
Michigan Civil Rights & Interfaith Voices of Truth and Justice! Speaking out Against Racism, Hatred, Harassment and Islamophobia!
November 14, 2016: A Press Conference was Hosted by the Central United Methodist Church of Detroit, Pastor Jill, Pastor Rowe!
Imam Elahi was invited to say some words and also make a prayer! Video Link to Imam Elahi's Message: HERE
He started by saying, all of us want to see America great! But - greatness comes through diversity and unity, respect and responsibility, rule of law and religious liberty.America can't be great by hate, fear mongering, intolerance intimidation and insult. the path of glory is the path of understanding not extremism, education not ignorance.
During the prayer Imam Elahi asked the Lord to humble the heart of president elect Donald Trump so he would say sorry to any one who might have been insulted by his expressions and actions during this election! He asked God to guide our leaders to the path of peace and justice, the path of Abraham, Muses, Jesus and Mohammad (pbut).
Some of the Media Coverage of the Press Conference- Read HERE, HERE & HERE!!
Imams Council Meeting, discussing Crucial Community Challenges!
Earlier today, we finished the meeting of the Michigan Imams Council, hosting two honorable guests from ISNA at the Pelham Community Center.
The ISNA delegation presented an interesting orientation about the challenges facing the mosques in America. While many of the community members come to the mosques asking for help during their life struggles, yet a low percentage of Muslims get involved in the administration and activities of the mosques.
The absence of a strong community involvement might be the biggest challenge in many mosques in the US. Unfortunately, very few Shia imams attend the Council meetings.
Addressing both guests and the imams, Imam Elahi asked for some dialogue about the Shia-Sunni perspectives on certain issues for the sake of more understanding and unity among the Muslim communities in the US.
Of course we signed the Code of Honor at the IHW in 2007, yet a continuous respectful dialogue is needed to bring more closeness and cooperation.
Imam Elahi gave an example about Ashura! Imam Hussein was the son of the prophet we all (Shia & Sunni) love and follow. Yet, no mention of the sacrifice of the family of the Prophet (pbut) and their heartbreaking, merciless massacre in most of the mosques on the day of Ashura!!
Even worse, some of the mosques talk about Ashura like it's a day of joy and celebration, based on some questionable hadith! So we need to be aware of certain sensitivities among ourselves and our traditions.
A big part of today's conversation was dedicated to youth issues from the danger of drugs, alcohol, depression and suicide to marriage, family and staying faithful as more moral tsunamis are targeting this generation!
We also talked about the importance of Muslim participation in the upcoming elections, though none of the presidential candidates is perfect; however let's go ahead with the best of our knowledge and conscience!
Please send your comments about more involvement in the mosque and cooperation in dealing with the youth or other social issues!
Dearborn Interfaith Network Met at IHW - Discussed Observation of Martin Luther King Anniversary
Honoring Martin Luther King is to honor a call for justice and respect for human rights.
Pastor Fran Hayes of Littlefield Church, Pastor Colleen Kamke of St. Paul Lutheran Church and some other members of the Muslim and Christian community including Lila Amen, Robert Stead and Martha Hnatiuk met at the conference room of Islamic House of Wisdom to discuss the details of the upcoming Martin Luther King observance occasion.
Please mark your calendar for Sunday, Jan. 15th to attend the MLK Program at the World Deliverance Temple in Dearborn Heights, MI.
Meeting with Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani in New York City!
"It was a great pleasure to meet with President Rouhani, his foreign minister Dr. Zarif and their accompanying delegation including Dr. Nahavandian and Mr. Feraidoun in New York. " - More from Imam Elahi, Continued below!
It's interesting that out of hundreds of Presidents, Prime Ministers and diplomatic delegations attending the UN General Assembly, only President Rouhani spent some time out of his extremely busy schedule speaking and listening to some Muslim American leaders in NYC!
The President inspired us with his wise words on unity, standing against extremism and saving the Islamic civilization from the danger of those who are hijacking the faith!
He made a moving and meaningful statement about Shia-Sunni relationship and emphasized on so many common points among all Islamic schools of thoughts.
Br. Nehad Awad of CAIR asked the president about Iran's Syrian policy and President Bashar Al-Assad!
The President gave a detailed answer to this comment saying that Iranian approach to Syria is not about Bashar Asad but about helping a suffering nation whose land is under Isis occupation and its children are beheaded by those criminal cults.
Let's be practical the President said, if you are not working with the government and army of Syria who are fighting the terrorists then who else? Let's help save Syria first and then let the people vote and choose their government. If Iran and other parties didn't fight terrorism in Syria much more Syrian people would have been slaughtered by now!
The President concluded by saying that now even Europeans and Americans who were insisting on the departure of Bashar Assad are saying that time being he needed to stay in power till terrorism is over in Syria!
After the meeting Imam Elahi had a conversation with both brother Nehad and Dr. Basha and I noticed their agreement with what president Rouhani said about Syria!
During the meeting with President Rouhani, Imam Elahi admired him for his wisdom, courage, hard work and patience and spoke about two tsunamis that American Muslims are facing, one is the culture of extremist secularity which threats our children, youth and the foundations of our family values and another one is Islamophobia which threats our identity and security!
Imam Elahi mentioned how we have been trying to save our Muslim community from the sickness of sectarianism but unfortunately sometimes some parties' conversation is influenced with the Takfiri training!
Imam Elahi admired foreign minister Dr. Zarif for his article in New York Times about the fact that Wahhabi ideology is totally against both Shia and Sunni traditions in the world and we all need to be united against Takfirism!
Imam Elahi asked the government of Iran to let better relationship between Iran and America in both academia and the media! Thank you Iranian mission at the UN and Daftar of D.C. for coordinating this historic meeting!
