UMAA Conference - Memorial Day Weekend in Dearborn, Michigan
See Photo Highlights: HERE
Saturday, May 24, 2014: Dr Hassan Abbas, imam Qazwini and Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi spoke about the best direction and role for the mosques in the US. They also answered questions from the attendees during the session hosted by the UMAA conference at the Adoba hotel in Dearborn, Michigan.
Imam Elahi emphasized on three fundamental roles of the mosque: spiritual, educational and social! Referring to the Quranic verses, the mosque is house of God and the people who attend the worship are the guests of God who receive rewards, spiritual enrichment for their meditation, reflection and devotion.
imam Elahi also emphasized on the educational role of the mosque, especially the power of Friday sermons in bringing community awareness and removing the ignorance of Islamophobia.
Finally he explained the social role of the mosque as a center to build brotherhood, unity and cooperation in the community.
Sunday, May 25, 2014: In an interactive panel discussion on marriage and family life, Hajja Najah Bazzi, Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi and Shaikh Mohammad Hilli spoke and answered questions!
The youth who attended the conference from different parts of the US engaged in the two hour long informative panel and asked for guidance for their future journey.
Imam Elahi emphasized on the role of faith in the stability of family life and the first priority in choosing a life long partner. The imam spoke about other Quranic characteristics of a happy and healthy family such as taqwa, fairness, humility, mutual understanding, forgiveness, patience, love, peace, hardworking, sense of responsibility and respect.
Imam recommended establishment of a marriage foundation in the community to promote marriage and to help the singles find a right match for their life.
Also on the panel, Hajjah Najah Bazzy. Noting a sixty percent divorce rate amongst married couples within our society, Hajjah Najah highlighted ways to strengthen and preserve the relationship between husband and wife. She emphasized that when in the midst of disagreement, it is best for both parties to delay the discussion until both are calm, even if it's the next day! Saying that women need to talk out an issue and men like to retreat until they are ready to talk, she said that it's important to be clear in naming your feeling, not to wait for your spouse to guess how you feel. It is important to bring your entire being into marriage, that there is no such thing that half of me and half of her make a whole rather a whole and a whole make a union like rings.
More quotes to be posted as we receive them from the other panelists.
