For eight decades, the American Moslem Society has been a landmark for Islam in the state of Michigan and the nation as a whole.
YAN – Dearborn
As activists, worshippers and officials came together to celebrate the rich history of the iconic institution, they stressed the importance of civic engagement at a time of rising Islamophobia and bigotry.
The mosque built in Dearborn’s Southend in 1928 was amongst the oldest Muslim houses of worship in America.
On April 19, AMS leaders and supporters gathered to highlight the rich history of the mosque, which demonstrates the deep roots of Islam in America.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib talked about her family’s attachment to the mosque while she was growing up.
Tlaib said Arabs and Muslims are fortunate to have an established, empowered community in Southeast Michigan, where they don’t feel like strangers.
“That’s the thing that we don’t realize, just how incredibly special out community is, and it’s so much rooted in our faith organizations like the masjid, in so many ways,” she said.
Tlaib added that it was an “honor” to celebrate the mosque’s anniversary.
“A member of your masjid is now a member of the United States Congress – that’s pretty incredible,” the congresswoman told the crowd.
For her part, Dalia Mogahed, the director of research for the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), stressed the vast contributions of Muslims to American society, saying that American and Muslim identities are “mutually enriching”.
The ISPU tracks the contributions of Muslims to American society across the nation. For example, Mogahed said Muslims donated more than 1 million bottles of water to Flint after the city was hit by the water crisis.
She urged Muslim Americans to educate others about the enormous givings of the Muslim community.
“It’s time we show them what we’ve built, what we’ve given, what we’ve sacrificed for the betterment of our country,” Mogahed said.
‘Go out and vote’
Mogahed called on Muslims to educate themselves about their own contributions to the country and “be an ambassador for the facts.”
Mogahed also stressed the importance of the elections next year, saying that staying at home is not an option.
“With all that is at stake in this election, if you are eligible to vote and you don’t, then God help you,” she said. “God forgive you. Every single one of us has to register to vote and we have to go out and vote.”
Nihad Awad, the executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), echoed Mogahed’s remarks saying that Muslims must participate in elections to protect their community and make their voices heard.
At the anniversary celebration AMS honored the family of late pharmacist Mohammad Hamzeh for his contributions to the community and the mosque. It also presented an award to Fare Shaibani for his long years of service as an educator at the mosque.
Local elected officials, including mayors, city council members and state lawmakers were in attendance, as well as faith leaders and community advocates.
AMS president Mahdi Ali told the Yemeni American News that the mosque is always trying to expand and improve its programs to ensure a better future for the community.
