Nearly 100 founding and present board members, in addition to supporters gathered at Islamic House of Wisdom Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, for an appreciation dinner to celebrate 19 years of service to the community.
Imam Elahi began by honoring the memories of those who were part of the team that started Islamic House of Wisdom in 1995, such as Hajj Abu Shaker Makki, Dr. Farhang Aslani, Hajj Dan Makled, Dr. Mohammad Raishuni and hajja Maryam Osman. Imam also prayed for late Kay Siblini whose passion and participation in some meetings had a strong impact on the progress of IHW. Imam asked the attendees to bless their souls with reciting Al-Fatiha!
Explaining two decades of challenges and successes, Imam Elahi reviewed the accomplishment of IHW over the years, such as paying off the mortgage, hosting interfaith conferences, and the renovations of the prayer area, school, daycare, auditorium, maghsal Al-Redwan and parking lots. He also reflected on various programs, such as karate classes, girl scouts and foster care.
Islamic House of Wisdom is open seven days a week, serving the community and welcoming people from all cultures and background with love and respect. IHW provides traditional religious services, such as Ashura, Ramadan, funeral services and daily prayers. Its Friday prayer program aims at increasing awareness about ethical, religious, personal and political issues. Its youth programs include Arabic, Quran and religious classes.
Providing resolutions and mediation for family conflicts, helping to reconcile families who are in the midst of complicated courts cases, helping parents reclaim their kids who have been taken to foster houses - only a part of some of the issues we provide help for.
IHW is in constant contact with many community leaders to encourage more cooperation among community institutions for a collective and clear vision for the future of Muslims in America.
Educating non-Muslims about the disease of Islamophobia in the West and anti-Islamic Takfiri and terrorism in the Middle East has been always part of IHW's public outreach.
During this dinner, participants shared comments and suggestions, including IHW Board Chairman Hajj Dave Abdallah, founding chairman Dr. Mohammad Ajjour, Dr. Talal Turfe, Dr. Fouad Turfe, Hajja Nawal Hamadeh, Hajja Enshad Beydoun, Maha Fayad, Zainab Hussein, Hajj Ahmad Bakri, Mike Samhat, Hajj Mahmud Alizadeh and Dr. Mohammad Bazzi. They pledged their support for IHW, suggested more programs to engage the youth, added ideas to enhance Islamic education, facilitate intra-faith dialogue and to foster unity in the community.
