Dearborn mosque considers banning Israeli military from entering

After protests from some congregants, one of Michigan's biggest and oldest mosques may ban Israeli military officers from visiting.

The Islamic Center of America (ICA) released a statement on its Facebook page reading in part: "Our Board of Trustees and administration will take the necessary measures to ensure that no Israeli military personnel will be received at the ICA in the future, as we continue our interfaith outreach program."

Leaders with the mosque told the Free Press Friday that the mosque's board will later make a final decision on the issue.

For the past decade, the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn has hosted a delegation of military officers from various nations as part of a program through the U.S. State Department and National Defense University, which is supported by the Pentagon.

The purpose of the annual event, usually held in the spring, is to educate the visitors about Islam in the U.S.

Founded in 1963, the Shia mosque with a predominantly Lebanese-American congregation often attracts guests of diverse backgrounds. It's one of the largest mosques in the U.S., with about 1,200 members attending Friday prayer services and leaders who interact with U.S. officials, including presidents.

On April 14, a military officer from Israel was one of about 70 military officers from foreign nations visiting the mosque as part of the annual event, according to leaders at the Islamic Center of America.

The visit angered some congregants who accuse Israel of military attacks against Arabs in Syria, Lebanon, and Palestinian territories. The 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon affected the families of many Lebanese-Americans in Dearborn who attend the mosque.

Concern among Arab-Americans about Israel has increased in recent weeks with a growing number of Palestinians killed in encounters with Israeli forces; Israel maintains it is defending itself from terrorists.

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"Some people complained that with the situation in Palestine, Gaza, Syria, the mosque should not have an Israeli officer in the group" visiting the mosque, said Ned Fawaz, 81, a honorary board member and longtime leader with the mosque. "The board will have to make a decision."

Fawaz said the mosque is open to all and doesn't ask the annual delegation or any other visitors about their nationality or religion.

"The Islamic Center is open to anyone at any time, Muslims, Jews, Christians" and people of other faiths can visit, Fawaz said. "We don't discriminate."

"The Islamic Center is a very moderate center," Fawaz added. When the U.S. government asks the mosque to participate in the annual military officer visit, "we don't dig into what's his nationality, what's his rank."

But after the April 14 event this year, some members of the mosque became upset and started holding protests and criticizing the mosque on social media.

Some of their fliers read: "Did you know that Israeli military officers were welcomed at the Islamic Center of America," "Why is the board of the ICA refusing to admit to and apologize for their mistake?" and "Why did they host Israeli soldiers in our mosque?"

On May 5, the Islamic Center released a statement on its Facebook page that read in part: "For over the last ten years, the National Defense University, through the State Department, has requested to visit the Islamic Center of America to learn about Islam in the United States. Consistent with our policy to engage with those seeking knowledge about our faith, we hosted their delegation."

The letter said "this function was part of an interfaith effort and its objective was strictly educational. We addressed the group as a whole...without distinction of nationality and/or political background."

The letter said the officers were dressed in the same university uniform, not the uniform of their countries.

The May 5 letter disappointed the protesters, who rallied inside the mosque on May 11. Video posted to social media show some minor disputes breaking out as mosque leaders asked them to leave.

Fawaz said he understands the concerns of the protesters given the impact Israel's military has had on them.

Another letter, posted May 12, shifted its tone and said Israeli military officers will now be barred from future events.

The letter read in part: "Recently, the Islamic Center through its interfaith program, based upon a State Department request, received a delegation of 67 military officers from countries around the world. Without the Board's prior knowledge, regretfully, the delegation included one Israeli officer. The Center never had or will have any intentions of honoring such officer. We understand and support the concerns raised by members of our community to such a visit."

Fawaz said the letter came from the executive committee of the board, but that the full board has final say in making any decision. He said he will respect whatever decision the board makes.

Eide Alawan, a longtime mosque leader who leads their interfaith work, said: "The Islamic Center of America has and continues to be the example of the representation of Islam in Michigan as well as throughout the United States. As the Interfaith Office of the Islamic Center of America we’ve hosted many traditions and institutions throughout its history."

Alawan said the center "takes pride in being an open minded and welcoming institution to all who enter its doors."

Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com or 313-223-4792. Follow him on Twitter @nwarikoo