By Rasheed Alnozili & Simon Albaugh -YAN –
It’s no secret that the Muslim American community has serious challenges ahead. On the national stage, Islamophobia and racism threaten the peace and livelihood of thousands of Americans. Locally, drugs and divorce can tear apart the promise for a safe and happy future. And by no means are these the only challenges.
In every community, these challenges need to be met with strong and able leadership. Whether it’s through the religious, political, or cultural connections that people share. For Dearborn’s Muslim American community, one of those strong and able leaders is Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi.
Born and educated in Iran’s Islamic Seminaries, Imam Elahi has distinguished himself as a prominent voice for social justice and civil rights. He first came to Michigan after speaking at the World Religious Conference of San Francisco in 1991, according to the Islamic House of Wisdom website.
First serving as Imam at the Islamic Center of America, Imam Elahi and his followers eventually started the Islamic House of Wisdom. IHW is an Islamic center that focuses on worship to God and serving the community according to the teachings of the holy Qu’ran.
Imam Elahi is also an important figure within the community of North American Interfaith leaders. Meaning that his work to connect with every major religious community has been instrumental in people’s understanding of world religions.
“Just two nights ago, I was part of a huge Baptist service in Detroit that hundreds of Christian priests and big number of Christians were there,” Imam Elahi said. “And when they saw a Muslim among them, they were so excited.
“This shows that despite of all the negativity, despite of all the Islamophobia and despite all this hatred that exists, at the same time the American conscience, American values and principles still there are so many good people around. So many angelic people around who promote the same values.”
When outside of the national debate of mutual religious tolerance, Imam Elahi works closely with the communities surrounding Dearborn Heights, where he focuses on the local issues that can challenge everyone.
Some of these include workshops for people to learn about drugs, mental health and opportunity. Because many good people can find themselves in difficult situations. “It is a real concern for a Mosque, for everybody in the community,” Imam Elahi said. “And we are using so many platforms to bring awareness to this. Obviously, we cannot solve all the problems in the community and the society. But at least we are trying from all different angles.”
Those different angles are organizing services for the community and the people for things like marriage counseling and even girl and boy Scouts for the youth to learn important lessons for life ahead.
Even though Imam Elahi is so closely intimate with the problems that his community struggle with, he presents it all through an optimistic attitude that shows how invested he is in the solutions that can change the world. As an advocate for social justice and civil rights, his work depends on this outlook.
“We really should not lose our hope,” Imam Elahi said. “The new generation, so many youth that we see are so passionate, so dynamic. They take their education very seriously. They go to universities, they are involved in educational field, in business, in political and social issues. And the youth really are our hope. They are the instrument of change.”
Still, the challenges for young people in this country are great. Today’s youth is expected to be the first generation that will have a diminished quality of life, as compared to their parents. And for many people, this is a sign that much of the hope of a growing US economy is not meant for them. And Imam Elahi shares this concern for the people who don’t get enough opportunities to thrive in today’s world. The problems that today’s young people face are issues that need to be taken seriously, according to Imam Elahi.
For tackling these problems, Imam Elahi sees the role of a religious leader as someone who teaches – a spiritual educator. And as part of the mission of the Islamic House of Wisdom, it’s a continued part of the Mosque’s daily practices.
“Whether it’s a daycare or Arabic classes or Quranic classes, or our general education or seminars that we have workshops for,” Imam Elahi said. “We use all these instruments of enlightenment to be the, to be a positive force in the society.”
Imam Elahi leads the Islamic House of Wisdom. He speaks on social issues that are pertinent for people who are vulnerable to some of America’s most ugly prejudices. Still, throughout the national debates, Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi uses his training in the faith to champion dialogue. Whether it be dialogue among religions, people, or within oneself.
“Because we believe that really the, the only solution in a society with so much diversity is dialogue,” Imam Elahi said.
