{"id":2799,"date":"2020-02-23T01:33:07","date_gmt":"2020-02-22T22:33:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yemeniamerican.com\/en\/?p=2799"},"modified":"2020-02-23T01:33:07","modified_gmt":"2020-02-22T22:33:07","slug":"leadership-in-metro-detroits-muslim-american-community-imam-mohammad-ali-elahi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yemeniamerican.com\/en\/leadership-in-metro-detroits-muslim-american-community-imam-mohammad-ali-elahi\/","title":{"rendered":"Leadership in Metro Detroit\u2019s Muslim American Community: Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Rasheed Alnozili & Simon Albaugh -YAN –<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s 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.
\nIn every community, these challenges need to be met with strong and able leadership. Whether it\u2019s through the religious, political, or cultural connections that people share. For Dearborn\u2019s Muslim American community, one of those strong and able leaders is Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi.
\nBorn and educated in Iran\u2019s 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.
\nFirst 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\u2019ran.
\nImam 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\u2019s understanding of world religions.
\n\u201cJust 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,\u201d Imam Elahi said. \u201cAnd when they saw a Muslim among them, they were so excited.
\n\u201cThis 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.\u201d
\nWhen 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.
\nSome of these include workshops for people to learn about drugs, mental health and opportunity. Because many good people can find themselves in difficult situations. \u201cIt is a real concern for a Mosque, for everybody in the community,\u201d Imam Elahi said. \u201cAnd 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.\u201d
\nThose 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.
\nEven 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.
\n\u201cWe really should not lose our hope,\u201d Imam Elahi said. \u201cThe 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.\u201d
\nStill, the challenges for young people in this country are great. Today\u2019s 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\u2019t get enough opportunities to thrive in today\u2019s world. The problems that today\u2019s young people face are issues that need to be taken seriously, according to Imam Elahi.
\nFor 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\u2019s a continued part of the Mosque\u2019s daily practices.
\n\u201cWhether it\u2019s a daycare or Arabic classes or Quranic classes, or our general education or seminars that we have workshops for,\u201d Imam Elahi said. \u201cWe use all these instruments of enlightenment to be the, to be a positive force in the society.\u201d
\nImam Elahi leads the Islamic House of Wisdom. He speaks on social issues that are pertinent for people who are vulnerable to some of America\u2019s 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.
\n\u201cBecause we believe that really the, the only solution in a society with so much diversity is dialogue,\u201d Imam Elahi said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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