02/24/06: Mosque to hold Unity Prayer on the Weekend
February 24, 2006
Metro Detroit
BY NIRAJ WARIKOO-FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Muslims across metro Detroit are calling for unity and peace in the wake of sectarian violence in Iraq.
Starting today, there will be several forums during the weekend at local mosques that emphasize Sunni-Shi'ite unity. Both sects have large congregations in metro Detroit, and they are closely watching the unfolding tensions in Iraq.
The attack on the Shi'ite shrine this week was more of an affront to Islam than the cartoons of the prophet Mohammed, said Imam Mohammad Elahi, head of the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights.
"It's more painful and brings more wounds to our heart," said Elahi. His mosque, at 22575 Ann Arbor Trail, will hold the first gathering of Muslims at 7 p.m. today, followed by similar events this weekend in Dearborn mosques.
Muslim leaders across the region said they were horrified by the bombing of the Shi'ite shrine in Iraq.
"It's a holy place for all Muslims," said Victor Begg of Bloomfield Hills, a Sunni who heads the Council of Islamic Organizations in Michigan. "The attack on the shrine is to create chaos and rift between the two sects. It's really unfortunate."
Begg met with Muslim leaders Thursday at a Dearborn restaurant to discuss the tensions and to work on ways to create unity in metro Detroit.
Dawud Walid, head of the Michigan branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, is helping to organize the Muslim forums.
"I hope that Muslim leaders around the world can speak out against the sectarian violence, which is totally un-Islamic and uncivilized," Walid said.
Walid and others said they hope that American Muslims can show Muslims abroad how to work together among themselves and with other religions.
"We want to set an example of unity -- that all people of faith can get together and work together," Elahi said.
at Muslim leaders around the world can speak out against the sectarian violence, which is totally un-Islamic and uncivilized," Walid said.
Walid and others said they hope that American Muslims can show Muslims abroad how to work together among themselves and with other religions.
"We want to set an example of unity -- that all people of faith can get together and work together," Elahi said.