5/25/18: Menbar is a mighty media and an instrument of Inspiring influence in human mind, heart and soul!

Menbar is a mighty media and an instrument of Inspiring influence in human mind, heart and soul!

Contemporary Islamic Minbar Discourse at Islamic Institute of Knowledge in Dearborn!

It was a very nice initiative by sheikh Baqer Berri and Imams Council to meet at the Islamic Institute of Knowledge and discuss how Islamic message should be shared between Muslims and even non-Muslims in America.

Br. Dawud Walid, Dr. Ali Lila and Shaikh Baker and Imam Elahi were 4 the panelists of the event. Dr. Fras Hamadeh the moderator.

Imam Elahi reflected on the mission of the prophets, quoting Imam Ali describing the goal of the prophets to revolutionize human reason through heavenly guidance, light of revelation and education.

The prophets came to make communications between the people and the creator and to establish justice, peace, morality and unity among people.

The prophets recognized the problems and needs of their avoidance spoke the language of their people and made extraordinary sacrifice to fulfill their Devine duties.

Imam Elahi considered the opportunity of the Menbar as a great platform and opportunity for dawa work which should follow the patterns of the prophets. He called the social network and technology a blessing for spreading the message of the menbar. Interfaith is another channel of communication and opportunity to fight the disease of Islamophobia. 

Menbar is a mighty media and an instrument of influence in minds, hearts and souls!

5/25/18:Michigan Poor People Campaign- A National Call for Moral Revival!

Michigan Poor People Campaign- A National Call for Moral Revival!

Last Monday was the first of 6 Moral Monday's, a Covenant of Nonviolence calling for justice!

It’s a National voice opposing racism, poverty and war economy!

It started today with the presence of interfaith including IHW representation on the stairs of the Capital building in Lansing!

It will continue for the next 5 Mondays!

One of today's slogans- " Somebody's hurting my brother and gone far too long!

And we won't be silent anymore.

5/11/18: Professor Martyn Smith and his Religious Study Group Visited IHW - Together we had over 2 hours of dialogue, Questions and Answers with Imam Elahi and Dr. Mohammad Ajjour!

Professor Martyn Smith and his Religious Study Group Visited IHW - Together we had over 2 hours of Dialogue, Questions and Answers with Imam Elahi and Dr Mohammad Ajjour!

Coming from Lawrence University of Wisconsin, thirsty of more orientation about the true teachings of Islam, we discussed so many issues of interests!

They attended our Friday prayer, listened to the sermons and raised some interesting comments and questions about the concept of Mahdism, the Qur’an, the concerns of Muslim community threatened by Islamophobia, raising political issues in Friday prayer, Muslims and Christian dialogues and so many other subjects!

Although the group will visit other centers and mosques too but knowing how Friday prayer considered as an important platform of outreach at IHW, they didn’t want to miss it!

They were so happy that their visit happened to be at the time of Imam Mahdi’s birthday, a time of happiness for Muslim community!

5/11/18: Donating Blood Before Begin Ramadan, Hard to Donate Blood While Fasting then!

Donating Blood Before Begin Ramadan, Hard to Donate Blood While Fasting Then! 

Tuesday, Imam Elahi stopped by at the West Middle School in Plymouth MI for blood donation, something he does periodically!

While some of Red Cross staff welcomed me with nice smile and respect, but out of institutionalization of Islamophobia in our country, some nurses while taking my blood, acted so cold, showing a sense of dealing with “Them” Others! Islamophobia is a disease for our society, the cure is more education, more engagement, more light!

We must overcome this division, hatred and ignorance not through taking but giving blood and demonstrating benevolence, brotherhood and empathy.

5/11/18: Congratulations to Bintjebil Cultural Center in Dearborn

Congratulations to Bintjebil Cultural Center in Dearborn

We would like to say congratulations to Bintjebil Cultural Center in Dearborn, to its founding father hajj Mohammad Turfe, President Zeyad Nasser, Judge David Turfe and the Center’s board members for their successful annual scholarship dinner contributing to education of our new generation.

No expression can appreciate enough the amazing contributions of the Muslim community in general and the Lebanese-American community in particular, to our cities, societies and moral values.

These people represent Jabal Amel’s centuries of civilization, education and spiritual legacy.

We wish them the best, in particular the students, the recipients of the awards.

5/11/18: Michigan Muslim Capital Day in Lansing!

Michigan Muslim Capital Day in Lansing!

Wednesday, May 9, 2018- Thank you MMCC - Michigan Muslim Community Council, Dr. Mozzamel, Dr. Hadidi, Somayeh Ahmad and the entire team for your hard work and great result.

Thank to our Senators and Representatives and in particular Senator David Knezek and Rep. Abdallah Hamoud for hosting us.

In a world where ignorance, fear, racism and prejudice divide people and cause hatred and confrontation, engagement, communication, listening and learning from one another are the key to change the world and contribute to construction of civil societies!

We spent over 3 hours in the Capital, meeting with some members of the Congress, holding a ceremony at the heart of the Capital building, attending a session and also socializing and interacting with the staff and other visitors of the Capital, very educational experience specially for our Muslim students in our journey.

This is an annual event, but it must be a roadmap for our daily life in this part of our planet!

5/4/18: With the Mayor of Dearborn John B. O'Reilly Jr., some elected officials and interfaith network of the area, the National Day of Prayer was held at Dearborn Administrative Center.

With the Mayor of Dearborn John B. O'Reilly Jr., some elected officials and interfaith network of the area, the National Day of Prayer was held at Dearborn Administrative Center.

The following are some of Imam Elahi's words of prayer during this interfaith initiative!

"Thank you O Lord for giving us another opportunity for this National Day of Prayer. A Day to remember and reflect on Your Glory and Grace. A day to ask Your forgiveness and mercy for our sinful souls.

Please fill our hearts with the passion of love and keep us away from the hell of hatred, hypocrisy and hopelessness.

Bless our families with faith and values, our youth with vision and virtues, our community with solidarity and sacrifice and our nation with unity, security, awareness, peace and prosperity.

O Lord, the Middle East, the birthplace of Moses, Jesus and Mohammad, the mother of both Islamic and Christian faiths and civilizations is under fire by the forces of greed and selfishness, please save our Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters from those daily destruction, war and terrorism.

Please replace the world’s fears, pains, conflicts, slavery, racism, human trafficking, poverty and hunger with hope, dignity, reconciliation, friendship and freedom.

Make us truly one nation under Your blessings with a White House of wisdom and honesty, a Congress of courage and common sense with responsible representatives, a judiciary of justice and generosity, security forces of power, protection and trust, and citizens of consciousness and compassion.

But My Lord I know that journey toward all these heavenly characteristics starts from me!

So please help me to be better person. Let peace start from me! Let Fairness start from me, let humbleness start from me and let caring for Your creation start from me!

Ameen!

4/20/18: Christian Missionaries long Dialogue with Imam Elahi

Christian Missionaries Long Dialogue with Imam Elahi!

The question of crucifixion, Trinity, Foundation of Faith, Conversion to Islamic Faith, The beauty of bridge building and sincere outreaches were among the subjects!

Interfaith is and has been a high priority project of IHW since its establishment in 1995. IHW is known for welcoming the followers of other faith traditions and specially the members of Abrahamic family.

In a long conversation, question and answer with Imam Elahi, a group of Christian missionary girls shared with the imam their recent world trip experience and asked his Islamic perspectives on some of the most fundamental elements of Christian belief system including crucifixion and trinity.
The atmosphere of dialogue was better understanding of each other true traditions without any prejudice and confusion. Obviously there were much more similarities than differences. We always celebrate our similarities and appreciate our differences.
Defiantly Islam and Christianity are not identical but no other religion in the world shows as much as faith, respect and love for Jesus, Mary and their true teachings, as does Islam, the prophet and his family.
The missionaries were deeply impressed with their experience at IHW and left with a better understanding and sincere appreciation and sense of friendship!

4/20/18: Honoring General Consul of Lebanon and Iraq by the Islamic House of Wisdom on the Eid of Maba'ath!

Honoring General Consul of Lebanon and Iraq by the Islamic House of Wisdom on the Eid of Maba'ath!

On 27th of Rajab, the Eid of Mabath, the birthday of Islam and first day of the Quranic revelation to our prophet Mohammad (pbuh) IHW honored the new General Consul of Lebanon her Excellency Mrs. Suzan Mouzi Yassin and representative of the Iraqi Consulate Sayyed Qotaiba Khalid Saleh. 

The guests of the breakfast included former Lebanese ambassador Dr. Ali Ajami, Khollan Al-Wafaa and a group of community members and leaders.

Ostad Zohair Alawiya welcomed the guests and invited the honorable Suzan Mouzi Yassin to

 the podium. Dr. Suzan made a great intellectual speech. 

The following is just a paragraph of what she said: "We do believe that religion is one of the driving forces in our societies for establishing an integral system of values and dignifying the human identity.

And while the integrity of that moral system has been shaken by a variety of challenges, a new religious rhetoric has been presented relying on an ample intellectual, informational and instructional content. 

A multi-dimensional agenda was adopted that focused not only on the concepts and methods of worship, but also on interfaith dialogue, social justice, social cohesion, unity of the community, youth concerns(notably drugs addiction and spiritual turmoil), it also focused on cultural identity preservation, integration affairs, tolerance and coexistence.. and above all, purifying the stereotyped impressions about Islam.

In this context, I shall present my whole respect to the Esteemed IHW and its counterparts, to HE Imam Elahi and all the virtuous Imams and Scholars for their commitment and dedication to the noble role entrusted to them"

At the end of this blessed ceremony Imam Elahi thanked honorable consul Dr. Suzan Mouzi Yassin and honorable Sayyed Qotaiba Saleh and all respected guests for accepting the IHW invitation on such a beautiful day in the history of Islamic faith. 

Imam Elahi spoke about the contributions of prophet Mohammad to humanity. The fact that his revelation and prophethood started with Iqra (read!) demonstrates the significance of education in Islam. The holy Quran is a message of rationality, Enlightenment and wisdom. 

Imam also pointed to other contributions of God's last messenger including his emphases on building a community based on faith, family values, moral standards, social justice, peace, respect for diversity, unity and competition for compassion, charity and humanity.

Imam Elahi prayed for the end of war in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and other warzones in the world and condemned political double standards such a bombardments of Syria based on the fake media reports and rushing to attack before any investigation. While the people of Syria have been suffering for 7 years, the solution is peace not continuity of this crazy nightmare of fear, war and destruction.

3/29/18: Raising a Right Family is Rewarding Both in this life and Hereafter!

Raising a Right Family is Rewarding Both in this Life and Hereafter!

Sunday in a memorial service for the late Ali Hussein Hamoud at the Islamic Center in Dearborn-  Imam Elahi was listening to the marhoom's daughter, Diana and his sister Mona, their words touched everyone's heart.

It's really rewarding to raise good children. Rewarding for both family and humanity. Daina and her brothers- Hussein, Hassan, Mohammad and Mostafa are the fruits of hard work of late Ali and his wife Wafaa.

In Imam Elahi's humble words, he saluted and admired hajj Hussein Hamoud and his late wife for reminding their family about importance of faith in every opportunity.

Our young generation is under daily psychological bombardments. 

Their moral identity is under attack by the armies of ignorance, evil and temptations. The social networks facilitate these moral aggression. The only hope to save this digital generation is through the safe haven of faith. 

Imam Elahi mentioned few verses from the Quran on the faithful life of certain youth leaders in human history including Ismail, Josef, Marry and the youth of Ahlil-bait who sacrificed all they had to support the true values and principles. 

He asked the youth to increase their knowledge of the Quran by reading and reflection on it and also keep their connection with the places of worship.

3/29/18: Honoring a Women of Wisdom, Courage and Commitment!

Honoring a Woman of Wisdom, Courage and Commitment!

Many community members gathered at the Islamic Center in Dearborn to express their condolences to the new Lebanese General Counsel in Michigan Mrs. Suzan Mouzi Yaseen on the sudden departure of her mom, late hajja Nayefa Tahmaz.

The memorial was a great sense of solidarity from the mayor of our city to the City Council members and our community leaders.

Expressing his condolences to Counsel Suzan and her husband Mr. Emad Yaseen, Imam Elahi admired the late hajja's contributions to her family and society.

Imam Elahi spoke about the role of family in social civilization, making a heavenly society free from the hell of hatred, hypocrisy, war, depression, darkness and destruction.

Referring to international family and women days, Imam Elahi mentioned the distinguished international ladies in the words of our holy prophet (pbuh). 

Accordingly, ladies like Mary the mom of Jesus and Fatima the mom of Hussein should be the role models not only for Christian and Muslim women but all those care for character, compassion, responsibility and righteousness all over the world.

3/16/18: The peace Banner of World Sabbath Was Passed to Islamic House of wisdom in Preparation of Hosting the 20th Annual Interfaith Assembly for a World of Tolerance, Justice and Peace!

The Peace Banner of World Sabbath Was Passed to Islamic House of Wisdom in Preparation of Hosting the 20th Annual Interfaith Assembly for a World of Tolerance, Justice and Peace!

The 19th Annual World Sabbath was celebrated this afternoon in Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills of Rev. Dr Danaher.

Chairperson- Gail Katz and her committee had done an amazing organization to bring such a colorful community of interfaith together! So happy to see Imam Mohammad Almasmari as recipient of this year's Award!

While receiving the banner of hosting the World Sabbath at Islamic House of Wisdom on March of 2019, Imam Elahi shared few humble words!
"It's true that justice should be the foundation of any civilized society, the journey of social life should continue with friendship, benevolence, love and peace. There is only One 

God, one universe, one humanity. As children of Adam and Eve, we are one family and family members must help and not hurt one another!
We pray for peace and justice for all people, in all places of this planet!

We are looking forward to host you all at Islamic House of Wisdom next March.

Please come hungry and enjoy Lebanese Hommous, tabbouli and fatouch appetizers!

3/16/18: 4 Hours of Intellectual Discussion on Principles Not Politics at the Redford Library!

4 Hours of Intellectual Discussion on Principles Not Politics at the Redford Library!

How China is winning the world's heart and mind through economy, construction and prosperity, not war and destruction!

Jason Ross, the LaRouche leader of Science Team was in Michigan today to provide some information about China's New Silk Road and how they built 15,000 miles of high-speed rail in less than 20 years, which brought millions of people out of poverty.

Imam Elahi participated in part of the discussion. In my friendly chatting with some organizers of the gathering Imam Elahi wished the USA architectures of the foreign policy would adopt something similar! Instead of just relying on the military power and warmongering start an outreach based on peace and prosperity and following a win-win interaction with every nation.

Only wise, visionary, patriotic and courageous leaders can put the principles and the true interests of our nation above the political pressure groups and lobbies and save our country from the darkness, mess, oppression and insanity of our time!
Education and awareness are the key, that was the reason Imam attended this afternoon meeting!

3/9/18: On this Heavenly Birthday of Islam's First Daughter Fatimah (as) and International women's Day!

On this Heavenly Birthday of Islam's First Daughter Fatimah (as) and International Women's Day! 

Congratulations to Abdulbari and his wife Amber for choosing such a great day to come to their House of Worship to express their allegiance to their Lord and to pledge their mutual love and loyalty to their marriage journey!

Birth of Fatima is a reminder of faith, family and moral civilization. IHW welcomes the youth to choose this occasion to establish their marriage relationship.

3/2/18: Special Prayer for Sheikh Saael Alataat!

Special Prayer for Sheikh Saael Alataat!

Sheikh Saael has been speaking and giving many lectures in the Arabic language for almost 30 years within the Dearborn area. Yesterday, Imam Elahi asked our mashayekh to visit him at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. A good number of the clergy community visited him during the day.

Last night, Shaikh Mohammad Malalla and Imam Elahi made a humble prayer with the presence of the sheikh's family at the hospital intensive care unit. The Sheikh's family told me that his situation started to get much better and he is out of a coma now. Alhamdulillah!! May God provide Sheikh Saael with a fast recovery, inshallah.

3/2/18: Candlelight Vigil with dearborn Heights Students- for Their Fellow Students Killed in florida!

Candlelight Vigil with Dearborn Heights Students- for Their Fellow Students Killed in Florida!

Rev. Fran and Imam Elahi listened to beautiful messages of Dearborn Heights students, as we also addressed them with our words of prayers and support.

Here are some of Imam Elahi's word's in the memorial meeting- 

On February 14th, we lost 17 beautiful flowers in a Florida school. May God bless their souls and heal the wounded ones with a speedy recovery.

The media called it a mass shooting! Is the fact that the killer was not Muslim, make his crime less terrorizing?

If mass murder of 17 innocent souls is not an act of terrorism, please explain!

The message of marching students all over the nation is clear! Action, safety and security.

They are not denying the second Amendment right of anyone but saying if it was legal for a monster like Nicolas to carry a riffle, then there is something wrong with this law and it must be changed.

Physical, psychological and spiritual safety and security in our schools and all public places should be the first priority of the government. We all are responsible but the government is more responsible since it has more information and power.

The short term solution is to put more control over guns and specially the riffles, regardless of the NRA lobby pressures and propaganda.

The long term solution is to arm our youth not with guns but more education, wisdom, faith and family values, sense of respect and responsibility, meaning and purpose of life, the value of love, fairness, friendship, patience, humbleness, peace and sacrifice. This needs the cooperation of family, school, places of worships and the political system.

We can't enjoy safety and security in the absence of moral civilization and integrity.

Those who call themselves conservatives, it's better to practice what they preach and walk their talks. They can't say "In God We Trust" but end up "In Gun We Trust".

Also if it's immoral to give guns to an insane guy like Nicolas Cruz for killing 17 innocent, why should it be moral to give gun to insane guys like Ben Salman that only in Yemen killed so far over 6000 innocent and left 22 million people hungry under blockade?

2/23/18: Who is a Prophet? A wonderful Interfaith Dialogue at Sacred Heart Church in Dearborn!

Who is a Prophet?
A wonderful Interfaith Dialogue at Sacred Heart Church in Dearborn!

Professor Robert Fastiggi represented the Catholic Theology, Professor Howard Lupovitch from the Judaic Studies Center and Imam Elahi represented the Islamic House of Wisdom. 

 The diverse nature of the audience, their enthusiasm to learn, and the variety of the questions made our interfaith conference an exemplary and inspiring one. The conversation, Q&A took over two hours. 
Some of the points Imam Elahi made on the subject include:

In the Islamic teachings, a prophet is a heavenly ambassador, assigned by God to guide, teach and revolutionize people's reason. 
Receiving revelation, infallibility, and miracle ability are of the main proofs of a prophet. 
 Imam Sadeq (as) mentioned ten moral characteristics for every prophet. 

Modesty, patience, generosity, gratitude, courage, honesty, trustworthiness, humbleness, dignity and integrity.

The main mission of the prophet was to educate people about God's character, oneness, love and wisdom, the only One who deserves our worship and also to promote love, justice, truth, freedom, peace.

The Quran mentions at least 25 prophets by names, out of them 5 are Olul-Azm, with higher responsibility and universality. They are Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammad!
The Quran uses the word Al-Mizan (balance) as part of the prophets' mission! 

That leaves no room for extremism in prophetic traditions. That means KKK mentality, extremist settlers in the Palestinian territories; Isis and Al-Qaeda have no place in the teachings of Jesus, Moses and Mohammad (pbut).

Imam Elahi also talked about the evil of Islamophobia and talked about dialogue as the best exit from the world current mess, chaos, corruption and oppression.

Since the message of the Divine prophets is the same, we all need to do only one thing: just practice what we all preach!

2/23/18: Ignoring the Gold and Rainy Weather, the dearborn community held vigil for Florida school shooting victims.

Ignoring the Cold and Rainy Weather, the Dearborn community held vigil for Florida school shooting victims.

There is no such a thing as 

good shooters or bad shooters, good terrorists or bad terrorists, good dictators or bad dictators! 

We all must stand against ignorance, injustice and evil regardless of race or religion of the evil doers!

From Rep Debbie Dingell, State Rep, Abdallah Hamoud, Chief Haddad and a number of other officials, City Council members and some community members who are running for the coming election such as Sam Beydoun and Gary Woronchak, also community activists such as Rabih Hamoud and Tarek Beydoun and a good group of students and neighbors attended, some spoke and all did a great job.

Rev. Fran and Imam Elahi offered some prayer and thoughts as well.
Some of Imam Elahi's Points....

Saluting the solidarity of our city with the suffering families in Florida. This is demonstration of your dignity, patriotism, compassion and your support for those hearts broken families who deserve our sincere prayers and support.
Standing against violence and protection of sacred lives is a moral and national duty of us all.
Hopefully the president and members of our Congress would listen to this loud national voice and recognize that in addition to prayer, actin is needed. Let's learn from nations such as Japan and Australia who made good gun control laws! Let's save 34000 American lives destroyed every year.

Let's put the sacredness of life ahead of greed and selfishness of this bloody business of gun glorification.
Let's prevent this kind of crimes through promotion of faith, family and moral values and also making laws that stop sick people and criminals from having access to guns.

In an interview with a reporter, Imam Elahi mentioned that instead of Nicolas who is a white supremacist, if the shooter had different name, the entire political propaganda machine would act 100 percent differently. Now no one calls Nicolas a terrorist, no one asked about his religion, his place of worship, his pastor. The president who uses the language of fire, fury, ban, bomb and burn, used the prayer and love language and asked the nation to answer evil with love and cruelty with kindness!

To win our struggle against violence and terrorism we must act with sincerity and the same standards.

There is no such a thing as good shooters and bad shooters, good terrorists and bad terrorists, good dictators and bad dictators!

We all must stand against ignorance, injustice and evil regardless of race or religion of the evil doers!

2/16/18: Interfaith Conference on Moral Values in Hamtramck Library!

Interfaith Conference on Moral Values in Hamtramck Library!

Thank you to brother- Arif Huskic and members of CWA for your great efforts to arrange such an educational and unifying conference on Monday night.

Imams, Pastors, Rabbis, teachers and community leaders one after another addressed the audience and promoted the message of morality and unity. Imam Elahi really enjoyed the diversity and beauty of different colors and cultures. He was also honored to share few words with our interfaith friends!

He started with a famous Hadith from prophet Mohammad (pbuh), saying, " I was assigned to complete the journey of morality that began with my brothers in mission and prophethood before me".

The messengers of God all promoted moral values such as love, patience, compassion, modesty, respect, forgiveness, friendship, reconciliation, responsibility, humbleness and hospitality etc.

Mahatma Gandhi said it was not sword that won a place for Islam in the world but the dedication, faith and fearlessness of prophet Mohammad.

Michael Hart in his book "The 100 most influential people in history", put Mohammad number one!

All because of the moral manners of this 

messenger of mercy, modesty, forgiveness and patience!

Imam Elahi ended with a Hadith from imam Zain Al-Abidin who summarized the message of all the prophets in three words: telling the truth, standing for justice, keeping our promise!

In the absence of these moral principles our world is in mess. Not morality but money talks.

Might has become right and the ends justify the means! This is dangerous and destructive!

For the societies to survive, morality is a must!

2/9/18: Thank you Dr. Ali Ajami for Calling for Action!

Thank you Dr. Ali Ajami for Calling for Action!

Imam Elahi enjoyed a conversation with Dr. Ali Ajami, former ambassador and current community Representative for American Educational Foundation and Hamadeh Educational Services.

We met after Friday prayer in the IHW Imam Hussein Hall to find a way to transfer the talk about drugs, depression, mental suffering and suicide to real actions and solutions in our community.

Obviously any dialogue about drugs that may bring public awareness and educate our youth about the catastrophic consequences of drug addiction is part of an action journey!

We talked about the problem of stigma in our cultural conceptions and need for honesty and openness in dealing with drugs disaster!

We decided to involve more people with knowledge and experience in this campaign and develop better and more effective plans of actions!