DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Community activists held a “brainstorming” meeting at The Islamic House of Wisdom on Wednesday to discuss the challenges that the Arab and Muslim American communities are facing. 

The attendees tackled the rise of Islamophobia and lack of community involvement as major issues facing local Arabs and Muslims. 

The Islamic House of Wisdom spiritual leader Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi called for the gathering, asking the invitees to serve as an advisory council to the Dearborn Heights religious center. 

The meeting was attended by more than 20 prominent community members, including psychologist Hoda Amine; Dave Abdallah, chair of the Islamic House of Wisdom; Hassan Bazzi, president of the Dearborn Heights Community Organization; former State House candidate Rashid Beydoun; and assistant U.S. attorney Abed Hammoud, who was present in his personal capacity.

After a lengthy discussion, where most activists in attendance suggested solutions to the problems at hand, the meeting concluded in a decision to hold a candlelight vigil to denounce the growing atrocities of the Islamic State, a militant group, formerly known as the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), that controls parts of northern Iraq and eastern Syria.

The vigil will be held in front of Dearborn City Hall on Monday, Aug. 25, at 6 p.m.

Elahi started the meeting by distributing a statement in which he condemns the murder of American photojournalist James Foley at the hands of Islamic State militants on Monday.

“The beheading of American journalist, James Foley, by the Islamic State was a cowardly crime that should be condemned by everyone. Mr. Foley is not the first victim of the crazy members of the so-called Islamic State. They have been massacring Shi’a Muslims, Sunni Muslims, Christians and Izadis for months now without any mercy,” the statement read. 

“Our politicians don’t seem to learn from history. They supported al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, and the result was the September 11th attack on America. Later, they turned a blind eye to Saudi Arabia and Qatar giving money to al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria, and the result has been chaos and misery to the entire Middle East.” 

The Imams’ Council of the Michigan Muslim Community Council (MMCC) also condemned the execution of Foley.

“The MCC urges all people of conscience to take a stand against extremism,” read a statement by MMCC. “Mr. Foley was a journalist who courageously covered the atrocities against the Syrian people. On behalf of the Muslim communities whom the Imams represent, we offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of the late James Wright Foley who was kidnapped in 2012 by the violent extremist group ISIS.”

The council highlighted the need to send a strong message that The Islamic State does not represent the Muslim faith. Among the ideas suggested was using social media to refute associating Islam with the actions of extremists. 

Elahi bemoaned the lack of community involvement in spiritual, social and political activities. “Charity to our community is not only with out checks, but also equally with out time and talent,” he said.