4/26/09: Brief Report of IHW Dinner
April 26, 2009
A brief report of the Islamic House of Wisdom Annual Fundraising Dinner
And words of wisdom by Dr. Mohamad Ajjour and Imam Elahi.
On April, 26, 2009, members of the Muslim Community gathered at the Islamic House of Wisdom for its Spring Annual Fundraising Dinner. Along with the supporters of IHW, officials including Mayor of Dearborn Heights, Dan Paletko, a representative from the Mayor of Dearborn, John O'Reilly, Jr., and Senator Martha Scott were in attendance. Representatives from the interfaith community, honorable Sheikhs and organizational leaders were also in attendance.
Through the help of IHW Board Members, Staff and Volunteers the gathering marked another successful event at IHW. Through the dedication of the participants and their generous contributions, IHW was blessed to receive a considerate amount of donations and pledges of support while it continues its mission of serving the Muslim community. While the weighty mortgage continues, and the programs and services at IHW continue to be strengthened, IHW encouraged all to continue in contributing in whatever way that is individually possible.
From any range of monetary donations to a monthly commitment of membership in whatever way individuals can afford. The Legacy Tree displayed in the entrance of Masjid Al-Noor allows for anyone that contributes $5,000 and up to have a leaf or stone engraved permanently with the donor, relative's or late relative's name. Thus to be remembered when members come to pray and read fatiha on him/her and their legacy will be eternal and counted inshallah by God Almighty. Another way to contribute is to volunteer or serve as a member on one of the IHW committees. IHW prides itself upon being a center that works hard for the people, by the people, all are welcome to be a part of its great mission!
Chairman of the Executive Council Dr. Mohamad Ajjour welcomed participants to the IHW Dinner. He mentioned that in the Quran it says if you want to count the blessings of God and you actually finish you will have lack of vision or knowledge. IHW has existed for 10 years and its goal is to serve, be a part and to educate the community. Dr. Ajjour mentioned the activities at IHW while encouraging everyone to visit the website for more information about them (www.IslamicHouseofWisdom.com).
He urged participants to seek what activities and types of outreach fit them the most and participate. To not only be a guest and visitor but be a participant and that is a goal of IHW. He encouraged participants to do their best in helping despite being in difficult times in the weak and struggling economy. In these times the centers in general are in need more for support, volunteers and financial support because there are people in our world who are in need. He compared it to a stage in the baseball game where the team is losing and they are in need of someone to step up to the plate and deliver.
From the Quran, Dr. Ajjour asked the audience who was in reality asking for the donations. The verse says, Whoever loans to Allah (swt) a beautiful and good loan, Allah will double to his credit and multiply it many times. Allah (swt) will withhold and give plenty and to Him we shall all return. He said, we know that when we do it, that it is not because of an individual or because of the community but because it is requested by God to help and support this institution. A house of God is where we go to pray, participate, learn and to teach.
Mentioning another verse he said, The mosque of Allah shall be visited and maintained by those who believe in Allah (swt) and last day. To establish prayer and regular charity and to fear no one but Allah (swt). This verse, Dr. Ajjour said, has to be in mind when we donate knowing it goes for right place and right cause.
He stated one thing that God wants us to do is to not only try to get better in life but to also be healed with the spirit of faith. When you want to search for the cure, the Quran says, Oh mankind, the Quran came to you from a direction of the Lord and as a healing for your hearts. It says it is a guide and a healing for those who believe and the healing process starts within you by participating, communicating, attending and donating. Dr. Ajjour concluded by encouraging everyone who is able to do a little more than they are already and has been doing with the intent of pleasing God in result who is the one who will reward us.
Imam Elahi was the main speaker of the occasion and a brief of his comments follow.
He spoke about the physical and spiritual maintenance of the houses of God by the faithful community. He mentioned prayer and charity as two other duties of the faithful.
Imam said the prayer is the sign of submission to the Creator, while charity is the sign of sympathy with the creation.
Prayer is expression of our love for our Lord; charity is expression of our understanding for the world.
The prayer is ascension to Allah, charity is an access to Al-Nas or the people. Prayer is a bridge to Heaven while charity is a bridge to the earth.
With salat we show our sincerity to our Beloved, with zakat our honesty to our brothers.
Imam added that still there is more emphasis on charity than prayer, and stated that while the salat is mentioned in the Quran only 99 times, the concept of charity is mentioned 148 times. There is reason for this. Charity seems to be more difficult than prayer. It needs real courage, and resistance against greed and selfishness.
Imam reminded the audience of the Quranic verses calling for charity in both the day and the night, and of charity given both privately and publically. The best charity is the one spent in the way of God and not in the way of a personal agenda and desires. The charity of Ahlol-Bayt was not for the people's reward and recognition.
Obviously God doesn't need our charity, it's for our own benefit! To purify our own soul, build our own character, stabilize our own society and free it from crimes and violence.
Imam mentioned that from piracy in Somalia to murder, rape and robbery in Detroit we see the cause of crimes to be mainly poverty and ignorance. Justice and generous charity are the answer.
Imam admired the giving spirit of American people who pay up to $300 billion each year to the religious, educational, health and social institutions. On the other side he mentioned the greed of some Americans like Maddoff who betrayed the people's money while some of the media remained silent about where all the $50 billion have gone! Though based on an Israeli website, a big part of that money was transformed to Israeli banks run by a Madoff associate!
At the end Imam considered charity as reflection of God's rahma and compassion. He said it is God who accepts your zakat so kiss your hand when you give since you bless your hand by giving. The Prophet said there is an angel who prays to God every day saying, O God, give every giver your special gift, while depriving the greedy from your grace!
During his lecture Imam also mentioned some political and social issues related to the community and the world.