Imams, interfaith leaders and U.S. Rep. John Conyers (third from left, bottom row).

DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The Semi-Annual Fundraising dinner at IHW was held Sunday, April 22 with the presence of Ayatollah Sheikh Abdul-Latif Berry, Imams, board members of local Islamic Organizations, interfaith clergy, Congressman John Conyers, Dr. Houssam Diab, the Consul General of Lebanon to Detroit, Judge David Turfe, and hundreds of community members and leaders.

After the youth presentation by Ali Najaf and the financial report by IHW treasurer Rafiq Diab, Imam Mohammad Ali  Elahi was introduced by Khalil Hachem to address the guests of the occasion.

Imam Elahi welcomed and thanked the guests of the dinner by saying, “Life is time and time is the greatest gift of God to humanity. To spend some of your time in the house of God is already a great contribution. The prophet said, be more greedy about your days than your dollars.”

The main message of Imam Elahi was about cooperation within the family, community and universal fellowship. The culture of “we” and not “me” is the spirit of the center’s prayers, he said.

Zakat (charity) is another form of cooperation in the Qur’an.  An order that is repeated in the Qur’an 32 times. Cooperation with the mosques by helping them to serve the faith and the community was the conclusion of Imam Elahi’s message. Four-hundred guests enjoyed dinner together in a welcoming family atmosphere. 

Congressman John Conyers and other nominees in the coming election addressed the community with their post-election outlook and plans. An award of Islamic Art was presented to Sara Wutwut and her family for their sincere service to the IHW. Following the dinner, members of the IHW began planning summer activities and programs that correlate with the Islamic calendar which will lead into the Ramadan nightly services.