LIVE Sunday with Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi
Renewing our friendship! Though Corona has separated us physically but thank God, it couldn’t hurt our friendship!
Time to show love, care, and renew our relationships at least virtually!
Let’s do all we can to support our suffering friends, those who feel lonely during this crisis and need our smiles, help, hopeful talks, money, medicine and even our sacrifice!
I didn’t forget you! I love you- You are in my prayers always
Watch On Facebook: HERE
Marriage and family a union of love, peace and piety!
Congratulations to those who chose Eid al-Qadir as a holy day to start their life journey!
That is Eid of love, loyalty and trust!
Facilitating marriage performances is a Heavenly order and call for all the communities!
We pray and wish a happy, healthy and joyous family journey for Alaa Bazzi and Nirmeen and also Bozorg Sadeghi and Banafsheh
Emphasize on united efforts of our community’s religious institutions while our nation is hurt by wearied crises, confusions and conflicts!
Our nation is suffering from so many crises! From Covid-19 to cultural, political, financial and racial wars!
The situation back in the Muslim world even worse and more heartbreaking!
As we approach the coming elections more tensions and troubles targeting our national security and solidarity out of greed and selfishness of merciless forces!
The religious leaders representing IHW, Islamic Center of America, Islamic Institute of Knowledge, Islamic Institute of America, IMAM institution of Marjaiyya, Imam Sadeq Center and American Islamic Community Center met at Islamic House of Wisdom this morning to establish a Council of local religious centers to cooperate on issues strengthening our unity and promote peace and confidence in our neighborhoods!
It was unanimously agreed among all the imams to find a mechanism both scientifically and religiously so all the centers issue similar prayer calendars!
This way no more confusion over Imsak and Iftar during Ramadan and also better coordination regarding other religious observations in the community!
Hopefully soon, this council would contribute more effectively to our social awareness and education especially during this time of test, trial and turbulences!
We need our community’s feedbacks, suggestions and supports, so we as imams are better equipped in serving our community and country!🙏
https://www.facebook.com/NewDearborn/videos/2621201074810836/?t=196
Watch: Here
The Michigan Imams Council Members met at IHW today to hear a report from the recent Shia-Sunni scholars and imams’ retreat in Washington DC by Imams Elahi, Masmary, Al-Halabi, Al-Turk and Solaiman
February 19, 2020
The Council decided to follow the same model in Michigan in near future.
Interfaith marriage, as a controversial and challenging phenomenon took some time in today’s discussion.
There is an ijmaa or consensus among both Shia and Sunni jurisprudential scholars at this time that doesn’t recognize a Marriage between a Muslim woman with a man out of Muslim faith!
The foster care was the last but not the least issue of our conversation. We ask our Muslim community to please contact with us regarding getting license to help the suffering kids in our community.
The Michigan Imams Council Members met at IHW today to hear a report from the recent Shia-Sunni scholars and imams’ retreat in Washington DC by Imams Elahi, Masmary, Al-Halabi, Al-Turk and Solaiman
February 19, 2020
The Council decided to follow the same model in Michigan in near future.
Interfaith marriage, as a controversial and challenging phenomenon took some time in today’s discussion.
There is an ijmaa or consensus among both Shia and Sunni jurisprudential scholars at this time that doesn’t recognize a Marriage between a Muslim woman with a man out of Muslim faith!
The foster care was the last but not the least issue of our conversation. We ask our Muslim community to please contact with us regarding getting license to help the suffering kids in our community.
Dr. Rev. Sell Harris an active and dedicated interfaith leader from Virginia, addressed the lovers of Ahlul-Bayt(as) gathered at Islamic House of Wisdom
February 17, 2020
Imam Elahi welcomed Dr. Harris, and congratulated the participants, including the leaders of Islamic Centers on the birthday of lady Fatima (sa) and spoke on the dream of world peace and the need to replace hatred with healing and hope!
The key note speaker was Dr Sel Harris who inspired our community leaders and activists with sharing his decades of research about Islam and Ahlol- bait and some modern Muslim leaders of 20 century including Dr. Shariati, shahid Mohammad Bagher AlSadr and also Imam Musa Sadr!
Dr. Sell referred to the Quran of Thomas Jefferson in the Capital Library and spoke in details on the vision of religious liberty and great contributions of Muslims to American civilization and prosperity!
Dr. Sel expressed his sadness of what happened to Elahi at Detroit airport when the imam was coming back from Seoul peace summit!
Dr Sel said our nonviolent movement for establishment of justice should continue , since only through justice, peace will be achieved!
Two Hour Meeting and Discussion with Imams of Islamic Center of America, Islamic House of Wisdom and American Islamic Community Center!
Organized by Nasser Beydoun, Chairman of Arab American Civil Rights League and hosted by Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi at Islamic House of Wisdom!
Participants included:
Representatives of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Willam Dion and Ghida Dagher, US Attorney Mathew Schneider, Eastern District US Attorney SAIC Steven M. D’Antuono, FBI Colonel Joseph Gasper, Michigan State Police,Judge Gene Hunt,Dr. Halim,
Chief Ronald Haddad, Dearborn Police Department, Sam Beydoun, Dr Talal Turfe, Dr. Mohammad Ajjour, Dr. Khalid Kamal, Dr. Ahmad Saleh, Attorny Nabih Ayyad,
Ali Sayed of Hype, Wassim Mahfooz of Lebanese Cultural Center, Judge Maryam Bazzi, Dr Kathy Kalil and a good number of other community leaders and activists!
The subject discussed included:
Community Awareness, Fighting Stigma, Warning about Drug Overdose, Community Education, Best Ways to treat the Victims, the Duties of Mosques and Families, Law enforcement, Spiritual support, Dealing with the national and international sources of drug business, Helping Organizations already working on drug issues, Cultural challenges in curing the drug’s disease, using Friday prayers and memorial services for youth enlightening, receiving Federal assistance in this struggle, Imams meeting with the victims of drugs in hospitals, homes and prisons
No to Wars, Yes to Dialogue, Diplomacy, Respect, Responsibility and Human Integrity!
Detroit area faith community stands against war with Iran and calls for peace in the Middle East! Return to diplomacy needed to avert needless war!
DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Michigan- Faith leaders from across metro-Detroit gathered Thursday Jan 9, 2020, in the Islamic House of Wisdom to call for calm in the face of escalating tensions between Iran and the United States following a drone attack that killed two Iraqi and Iranian generals and a missile attack on an Iraqi air base housing American troops. The Christian and Muslim clerics are praying for a diplomatic solution that will prevent further bloodshed.
The speakers included Imam Mohammed Ali Elahi, Rev. Jill Hardt-Zundel, Pastor, Central United Methodist Church of Detroit, Dawud Walid, Executive Director of the Council on American Islamic Relations of Michigan (CAIR-MI), Nasser Beydoun the president of Arab American Civil Rights, Osama Siblini of Arab American News and Shireen Smalley manager of NNAAC Organizational Development!
The following is the transcript of Imam Elahi’s opening speech in the beginning of the Press Conference!
"Yesterday, I listened to the speech of our commander in chief, who is known to be commander in contradiction, confusion and chaos!
Gladly he backed off from his previous statements such, as threatening to attack Iran's cultural sites, which is a war crime.
He expressed an interest to work with Iran to fight ISIS together.
He said he wanted Iran to be great and prosperous.
He said the US is ready to embrace peace with Iran.
He said we have a great military, but it doesn’t mean we have to use it.
I wish we could trust this president’s words.
In the same speech, he promised additional punishing economic sanctions and called the deal and diplomacy that were working foolish just because it was signed by his predecessor and the rest of world powers.
He asked other countries to break away from the nuclear deal.
All these contradictions in the presidents’ expressions and actions show one thing! My way or highway! Me, myself and I.
He wants to eats his cake and has it too.
This is nothing but ego, arrogance, greed, selfishness, misleading and petty political gambling.
It is the absence of wisdom, trust, respect, responsibility, moral leadership and justice.
The new year was a good time for peace, reconciliation and forgiveness, but the president started the new year with a war that made the Iraqis who are hosting our troops extremely angry!
The president also angered Ayatollah Sistani, the spiritual leader of Iraq, who is known for being very wise and moderate.
There was no need to start 2020 with attacking the bases of Iraqi anti-ISIS forces and killing 25 innocent members of Iraqi popular mobilization!
This bloody attack followed with killing of the commander of Iraqi popular forces general Abu Mahdi al-Muhandes and his guest general Soleimani, who arrived at Baghdad airport on January 3rd.
The government of Iraq stated that Soleimani was its guest for a diplomatic mission.
It called the murder of Soleimani a political assassination and concluded that it was an attack on Iraq's sovereignty and a violation of international law.
The president tried to justify the attack but even some Republican senators who attended the security briefing by the Trump administration, left the meeting more decided to limit the president’s war power (which is the discussion of this morning at the US Congress today).
Republican Senators Mike Lee and Rand Paul called the strike justifications "insulting, un-American, Un-Constitutional and wrong."
It reminds us of the historic sentence from John Adam we are “A government of laws not men”
Mr. President:
You said you have deep respect for the Iranians, they are remarkable people with great heritage.
Then, why did you lose the minds and hearts of those great people?
Did you see the flood of millions and millions of Iranians followed the funeral of their general all over the country?
What did you really achieve by that attack, militarily, socially, politically or morally?
You created more anti-Americanism and more negative feeling and hate for your administration. That is so sad and unfortunate.
Is adding more sanction, pain, punishment, travel ban, murdering the Iranian children in the hospitals because of your economic war, considered love and respect for someone?
Please change your policies towards Iran, sanction, military operation won’t make them to submit to your unwise polices and practices. Its insanity to repeat the same thing and expect different results.
As an Iranian-American who love this country and care about peace, prosperity and security in America, Iran, Iraq, the Middle East and the entire world, I ask you to open the doors for dialogue but with respect, integrity, justice and win- win deal!
Time is short, and we hope when you leave the White House, you leave it with a good legacy.
An absolute majority of Iranians want peace with America, an absolute majority of Americans want peace with Iran.
When you open the windows of dialogue and diplomacy with your words, don’t close the doors with your deeds.
What really work are: weapon of wisdom, not violence, harmony not hate, honesty not deception, morality not just money, humility not arrogance, empathy not imposing pain and fear, compassion not killing, grace not greed.
I suggest you send a message of condolences for all the families who lost their loved ones in the last ten days of strikes and expressing regret for all terrible bloodsheds and economic war that has become a murdering machine, killing so many innocents in Iran, especially the kids in children hospitals who can’t buy their medication out of your oppressive sanctions!
I am sure If you act with love and logic, the Iranian people would respond you the same way.
I hope your presidency won’t be a total moral failure and you be able to pass this historic test of Oval Office, so you would be remembered and honored for centuries to come.
As this month we would honor the anniversary of MLK in Dearborn, lets remember his memorable statement:
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools”
Great marriages aren’t discovered, they are created!
Marriage Foundation Workshop Success!
This workshop is sponsored & hosted by (IHW) every 6 months, to help provide constructive stronger marriages in our community.
Our mission is “stronger marriages build stronger families, stronger families build stronger communities”.
Our aim is to 1) bring together those that are ready for a life long commitment and 2) to bring those that are already in a life long commitment, prepare them with specialized skills & Knowledge required to evolve.
This one day workshop under the guidance of Hajjah Sabah Beydoun focused on how to work together and build a stronger marriage through developing a variety of essential qualities/traits & active cooperative/participation skills that ensure a successful happy relationship along with the motivation necessary to accomplish.
“Evolving into the right person”
Marriage is not like a house you walk into, they have to be built from day one and all the way to the end of your life……..a construction of knowledge and love.
Islam teaches us that through a marriage ceremony one is committed to making the effort to move from the state of “I” to the state of “WE” therefore it views both partners as a team instead of two separate individuals.
After the warm welcome, in order for us to get to know each other better participants were asked to introduce themselves using categories on the wall chart, they filled when they arrived.
Participants took a short break for prayer and lunch.
The main topic powerpoint was presented titled (Creating a Great Relationship). Followed by a short video on how to manage conflict since conflict is inevitable, but how to manage conflict is in one's own hands. After the video participants were asked to answer questions given to them about the video as they were divided into groups and asked to discuss their answers with their group.
We received a lot of positive and constructive feedback- please inbox us your contact information to be included in the next meetings!
Inspiring Arbaeen Observation for Ayatollah Sayyed Jafar Al-Murtadha at Islamic House of Wisdom!
Sunday, December 8, 2019
The first speaker and moderator of the service was Br Mustafa Al-Murtadha, the nephew of the late ayatollah!
The reciters included br. Mohammad Zain and shaikh Kassem Beydoun!
Imam Elahi was the final speaker of the ceremony!
Imam Elahi reflected on the life journey of the late schooler, researcher and the author of the prophet’s (pbuh) encyclopedia!
He spoke about the three major Shia seminaries in Jabal-Amel, Al-Najaf al-Ashraf and the Holy city of Qum as the main steps of the scholarly journey of the late historian Mohaghegh, and the Quranic commentator!
Imam Elahi spent big part of his service, reminding the audience the fundamental values of those seminary sources in serving the faith, education and leading the society in their search for peace, justice and freedom!
Our great religious references, the marhaajei are known as shining lights of knowledge, prayer, piety, humbleness, dedication and determination, sacrifice patience, intellect and integrity!
By mentioning some powerful Pilars knowledge in the Shia traditional universities in the last 1000 years, the imam emphasized on the importance of learning the true Islamic history and share the light of truth with those confused of the mixture of facts and fictions in the historic features and events!
He concluded that the exceptional work of the late Sayyed Al-Murtadha is a great help in that direction!
The observation was concluded in a faithful and friendly atmosphere with food and evening prayers!
December 19: "Trump’s discourteous and disrespectful tone against our Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and her late husband was ugly, unfair and unacceptable!
In his two hour long rally last night in Michigan, the impeached president abused his podium power to beat and blow up any individual, organization and entity that may disagree with his political path!
It was not the first time that Congresswoman Debbie Dingell was attacked and insulted by the president’s rude rhetoric, what was new this time, was that even her late husband Congressman John Dingell was insulted in his grave!
While denouncing this kind of absurd and unfair attacks, we express our solidarity and support for the Dingell family especially Congresswoman Debbie, as she is approaching the first year remembrance of her husband with a broken heart and grief!"
Petition to US Congress Asking the Nation’s Representatives to Stand for Peace and Stability in Lebanon!
Hope Social Foundation, and a group of activists from the Lebanese American community in Dearborn held a meeting with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell at the Islamic House of Wisdom this morning.
The participants included Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi, Dr Talal Turfe, Dr Mohamad Dughayli, Dr Hassan Chami, Dr Hassan Hamdan, Mr Ali Mokbel, and Mrs Fayrouz Bazzi!
During this meeting, the tragic situation in Lebanon was discussed. The recent demonstrations, security violations and the political, economic and historic reasons behind those developments were the main points of this conversation.
Dr Mohamad Dughayli the head of Hope Social Foundation asked her honor Congresswoman to share this petition with other Representatives in the US Congress and pass the serious concerns of our community members about the current crisis in Lebanon.
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell appreciated this and any other community outreach and promised to continue her efforts in promoting peace and stability in Lebanon and other neighboring countries, especially the tragedy in Yemen and the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.
Imam Elahi thanked the Congresswoman and other guests and shared his own concerns about the catastrophic situation in the Middle East in general and Lebanon in particular.
The imam criticized the administration’s focusing on Israel’s government and the Saudi Arabia corrupt kingdom and ignoring the dignity and rights of other nations in the region devastating not only for the region but also for the image, interests and future of America in that part of the world.
Trump polices are not just bad for the Muslims and Christians in the area but also bad for the Jews in the long term!
Islamic House of Wisdom Celebrated in Unity Dinner!
IHW's Semi-Annual Fall Fundraising dinner event was held on November 1st at Greenfield Manor, located in Dearborn, Michigan.
The recipients of this dinner included: Fay Beydoun for guiding the business community toward success!
Wassim Mahfouz for outstanding services to seniors, youth, children, and families.
Rev. Colleen Kamke Neiman for distinguished interfaith services.
The keynote speaker of the ceremony was the founding imam of the Islamic House of Wisdom who spoke about the mission of the mosque!
Imam Elahi reflected on 24 years of IHW services to the community and summarized the mission of the mosque in 6 words: Faith, education, promotion of love and justice, outreach and action!
imam Elahi stated that the Muslim community is part of American identity today, we are involved in educational, medical, political, legal and business services all over the country.
He spoke about the election in Michigan and encouraged the community to take the rule of law through voting and participating in the national political destination seriously!
MC Sayyed Khalil Hachem, Chairman Dr. Firas Hamadeh and the Chair of Youth of Wisdom Mahdi Elahi covered the services of IHW.
The services include: Arabic blesses for both kids and adults, classes in Quranic studies, the program of al-Hikma seminary providing classes in logic, history, belief system, jurisprudence, ISLAMIC moral system lead by Dr. Daneshgar!
Mahdi Elahi also spoke about the IHW Marriage foundation and family services. IHW free body washing services during the funeral process and proving free gravesite to poor families in Plymouth cemetery!
Friday prayer with powerful updated sermons, Doua Komail, providing services on religious occasions, interfaith and outreach, providing food to the needy every Friday for the last 5 years and helping the poor and the orphans based on humble resources are other aspects of IHW serves.
The unity and family atmosphere of the dinner was welcomed by the guests from the Shia, Sunni , Muslim and Christian guests and participants!
Thank you Dr. Shadi for your successful workshop on mental health issues at IHW!
Living in a society with so much success and prosperity doesn’t guaranty total health and happiness for all!
Over tens of millions of Americans from every background suffer from different levels of depression and mental health problems!
Faith can be a major source of peace, tranquility and comfort to human mind, heart and soul!
Yet our faith never deprives its followers from scientific contributions and specially in the area of mental suffering which is a deeply dangerous disease in our country and the world!
We would like to thank our board member sister Nasreen Salame for following the logistics of this educational work!
Festival of Faith, Family and Friends at Islamic House of Wisdom!
After one month of focusing on faith, recitation, reflection and participation in God’s reception the faithful gathered at IHW to end Ramadan’s rituals with spacial Eld prayers!
Imam Elahi lead the prayers and addressed the audience with the Eid
sermons examining the mission of Ramadan and what we must take from it.
The Imam called Ramadan a revolution in our souls and asked the faithful to implement the Ramadan’s message of mercy, forgiveness, love and solidarity with the suffering!
Reviewing the burning and tragic state of the umma especially in Palestine, Syria, Sudan, Sana’a, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Burma, Bahrain, and other suffering areas, imam called for more social and political outreach, courage and speaking truth with other fellow Americans standing against war, violence, corruption, lies, hypocrisy and selfishness!
Imam spoke about winning the hearts and minds of our neighbors through mercy and compassion and avoiding any practice that may hurt our neighborly relationship! Let’s fight the cancer of Islamophobia by the weapon of wisdom and values!
Referring to the President’s state visit to Britain and expensive ceremonies at the Buckingham palace, the president should had discussed some of those humanitarian tragedies, condemning MBS for 4 years of genocide in Yemen, the criminal army generals in Sudan for massacring pro-democracy forces, and Netanyahu for targeting the Palestinians in the Aqsa mosque, instead he attacked his host Sadeq Khan the Muslim mayor of London! That is rude!
The Saudis can't continue their isis style barbarian behaviors without Trump help! Sending more weapons for the murderers of Khashoggi and innocent Yemenis is extremely disgusting!
Imam Elahi spoke about dangerous moral tsunami threatening the young generation asked the family to manage the kids time during the Summer and bring them to Friday prayers and classes provided by IHW!
Let’s work together to raise a successful generation distinguished with faith, education, hard work and honesty!
Imam Elahi's Subject of this Friday Sermon 1:30 PM Sharp!
"How To Turn the Summer Vacation of our Youth to a Divine Opportunity, A Time of Both Entertainment & Education, Pleasure & Prayer, Muscle & Mind, Rest & Responsibility, Family & Community!"
Imam Will Also Speak About: War is Not a Wise Way To Win The Iranians Minds and Hearts. If President Trump Hates To Fight Iran, He Should Fire His Warmongering Advisors,Honor Our System's Signatures, End the Illegal and Immoral Economic War Which Continues to Hurt Innocent Men, Women and Children of Iran and Make America Great Again Through Dialogue, Dignity and Diplomacy and Not Irresponsible Expressions and Military Threats.
Imam Elahi Will Call on the White House and International Community to Rise to their Legal and Moral Responsibility in the Light of Truthful Report of Honorable Agnes Callamard the Courageous UN Human Rights Representative On the Brutal and Barbaric Murder of Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Consulate 8 Months Ago. Where is Justice? Where is The Journalist Body and How Longer the White House Continues Its support for Genocide of Yemenis by the Corrupt Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
IHW Interfaith Dinner Inspired Unity, Love and Education!
Following the Passover and the Easter celebrations at the birth Anniversary of Imam Al-Mahdi(SA) the shining light of hope for peace and justice, the Islamic House of Wisdom held its community and interfaith dinner at Bellagio Banquet Center in Dearborn Heights in April 25th 2019!
Following the recitation from the Holy Quran by hajj Younes Makki, the mayor of Dearborn Heights, Honorable Daniel S. Paletko welcomed the local and national guests!
Mayor Paletko: Admired the role of IHW in outreach and stated, I brag about the IHW anywhere I go. Every time I go to the mosque, I hear nothing but love, peace, cooperation, and interfaith. We are blessed to have the IHW in Dearborn Heights, the work that imam does for interfaith is one of the best I have heard or seen of in the world.
Following the welcoming words of the Mayor, four inter and interfaith leaders were awarded during this memorable interfaith assembly! The fifth recipient was the representative of the prime minster of New Zealand who couldn’t make it because of memorial holiday in their country!
Dr. Mahmoud al-Hadidi, Wissam Bazzi, Mahdi Elahi and Laila Amin introduced the awardees and invited them to the stage to address the audience and receive the event’s awards!
Imam Elahi read and presented the Award Plaques!
Thomas G. Walsh, Ph.D.
For Decades of Passionate, Powerful, and Incalculable Efforts in Promoting World Peace and Understanding. A True Leader and Contributor in the Academia, NGO Services, and Dialogue Across Cultures and Countries Around the World.
Dr. Michael Jenkins
For your Leadership, Courage and Commitment. An Inspiring Voice of Friendship, Peace and Benevolence for our Nation and Every Nation Across the Globe.
Robert A. Bruttell
For your Leadership, Bridge Building, Interfaith Services, and Call for Education, Inclusion, and Respect for Each and Every Community!
Imam Abdullah El-Amin
For your dedication in serving the community with a Voice of Unity and Humbleness while taking a Stance Against Segregation and Sectarianism.
Prime Minister Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern
For your invaluable leadership during the darkest hours of the dual mosque massacre that took place in New Zealand. Your sense of moral responsibility and unwavering battle against the forces of hate, racism, and Islamophobia is much appreciated!
The recipients of the Awards thanked IHW and imam Elahi for the invitation and hospitality!
Dr Thomas Walsh: Addressed the guests and stated: I have known imam for 30 years, in the Assembly of world religions, 700 guests representing every faith in the world to promote dialogue. I think the work of the IHW represents the same thing. Rooted in Islamic Faith and tradition but open to people of all faiths and all backgrounds with deep love and respect.
Dr. Rev. Michael Jenkins called imam Elahi One of the greatest interfaith leaders.
He pointed out in 2017 when the president of US said we will bring fire and fury like the world has never seen. The dictator in the north said I have now the nuclear capability to land and explode a nuclear device in Los Angeles. That month a group of 400 religious leaders including Imam Elahi went to the Korean border, bringing an interfaith prayer. Suddenly after that conference, Kim Jung expressed his readiness for dialogue. If we continue to pray together, we will end the tensions of war all around the world.
(At that time Imam Elahi looked at Dr. Rev. Jenkins and said let’s plan for another prayer this time to end the tension between Iran and America. Iran is punished because they were fighting isis).
Robert Bruttel was another awardee of the dinner who also addressed the guests and thanked imam Elahi and IHW adding- We want people 1000 years from now to remember metropolitan Detroit as the House of Wisdom as it was 1000 years ago in Baghdad, bringing together creative, wonderful, and diverse forces in our society.
The founding imam of Muslim center in Detroit, Imam Abdallah El-Amin also made some remarks. He mentioned almost three decades of working with imam Elahi on unity of the Muslim community!
Imam expresses his appreciation to the Imam and IHW, he stated that Imam Elahi has done a magnificent in building this institution and putting his heart and soul into it.
During the dinner the students of IHW Arabic school performed Imam Mahdi nasheed, followed with words from Hajja Salaam and Hajja Umzainab about IHW educational services!
Imam Elahi was the keynote speaker of the dinner! This is the summery of Imam’s message!
Imam Elahi thanked the clergy, elected officials, community organizations and members and spoke about the mission of IHW in the areas of faith, family values, education and humble services to the poor, homeless and those who come to IHW under their disparate circumstances!
Imam considered outreach and interfaith as a central part in IHW mission.
The Quran is a book of dialogue, it shows that God Himself, despite of His knowledge and power has been in dialogue with His friends and enemies!
Diversity is part of God’s wisdom, if we follow the Divine design in our nature, we would celebrate civilization of love, compassion, friendship, forgiveness, peace and justice!
All hate, hypocrisy, warmongering, violence and terrorism are products of losing that Divine identity!
Imam Elahi called Islamophobia, antisemitism , white Supremacy and other manifestos of hate and prejudice as serious dangers for our democracy, dignity, diversity, security and national unity! Only through honest dialogue and education we can overcome these ignorant insults and attacks!
Imam Elahi called isis and other terrorist cults as the worse enemies of Islam and questioned the policies of president Trump who considers the governments that supported isis as close allies, while those who have been fighting and defeating isis as enemies and keeps them under punishment!
To defend the dictators and reward the sponsors of terrorism while punishing the victims of terrorism is not in the best interesting the US and won’t make our country great again!
Imam Elahi called the area Muslim and non-Muslim neighborhoods as one family and one community and asked the mayors and city Council members to choose friendly dialogue as the path for any disagreement on the issues related to the governance of the cities!
Imam Elahi Thanked hajj Kassem Beydoun for hosting the event and dedicating the dinner to the soul of his mother late hajja UmKassem (God bless her soul).
