“Indeed, God commands justice, doing good to others, as well as courtesy to close relatives. He forbids indecency, wickedness, and aggression. He instructs you so perhaps you will be mindful.” (16:90 )            “For every day on which the sun rises, there is a (reward from God) for the one who establishes justice among people.” (al-Bukhari)            “And thus have We willed you to be a community of the middle way, so that [with your lives] you may bear witness to the truth before all humankind. . .” (2:143)            “Dispensers of justice will be seated on pulpits of light beside God.” (Muslim)            “Do not spread corruption in the land after it has been set in order. And call upon Him with hope and fear. Indeed, Allah’s mercy is always close to the good-doers.” (7:56)           “Even an ant in its hole and fish (in the depth of water) invoke blessings on someone who teaches people goodness.” (al-Tirmidhi)            “O believers! Remain conscious of God, and be with those who are truthful in word and deed.” (9:119)           “God does not judge you according to your bodies and appearances, but He looks into your hearts and observes your deeds.” (Muslim)            “The parable of those who spend their possessions for the sake of God is that of a grain out of which grow seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains: for God grants manifold increase unto whom He wills; and God is infinite, all-knowing.” (2:261)           “Charity does not diminish wealth.” (Riyadh al-Salihin)            “Let there be a group among you who call ˹others˺ to goodness, encourage what is good, and forbid what is evil-it is they who will be successful.” (3:104)           “Avoid cruelty and injustice...and guard yourselves against miserliness, for this has ruined nations who lived before you.” (Riyadh al-Salihin)            “Do not forget to show kindness to each other. Surely God observes your actions.” (2:237)           “(Allah) has revealed to me that you should adopt humility so that no one oppresses another.” (Riyadh al-Salihin)            “It is We who sent down this Reminder (al-Quran) and it is We who shall preserve it.” (15:9)           “The best among you are those who learn the Quran and teach it (to others).” (al-Bukhari)            “So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.” (2:152)           “There are two blessings that many people lose -- health and free time for doing good.” (al-Bukhari)            “Say: 'O My servants who have transgressed against your own souls, do not despair of God's mercy, for God forgives all sins. It is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'“(39:53)           “Happy is the man who avoids dissension, but how fine is the man who is afflicted and shows endurance.” (Abu Dawud)            “And you love wealth with immense love.” (89:20)           “Being rich does not mean having a great amount of property, but (it) is being content (with what one has).” (al-Bukhari)            “Every soul is held in pledge for its deeds.” (74:38)           “Make things easy and convenient and don't make them harsh and difficult. Give cheer and glad tidings and do not create hatred.” (al-Bukhari & Muslim)           

Michigan Imam council calls for cease-fire in Lebanon, Gaza

The Imams Council of Michigan called for a cease-fire Monday following the expansion in the war between Gaza and Israel. The Israeli military said Monday it was carrying out “targeted ground raids” in villages close to the Israeli border.

The council and residents gathered at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center hoping to “end the hostility right now,” Imam Steve Elturk said. Those gathered expressed disappointment with the U.S. government’s support of Israel. “We call on the U.S. to impose a weapons embargo on Israel and to halt all military aid, given Israel’s refusal to heed UN resolutions and agree to a cease-fire,” the council said in a release.

“Too many people have died on both sides and the hostages are at risk,” Elturk said. “Whoever saves a life, is as if he saves all of mankind. Too many people are dying in Gaza alone … same thing is happening in Lebanon.” Israeli strikes in recent weeks have hit what the military says are thousands of militant targets across large parts of Lebanon, the Associated Press reported Monday. Over 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon in the past two weeks, nearly a quarter of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry.

Machhadie Assi of Dearborn, 40, a community activist, wants to see the council put pressure on the U.S and the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon to evacuate people there. Assi’s brother is not a U.S. citizen but is in Lebanon and she is hoping the country allows him refugee status so he can leave Lebanon and “family can unite.”

Assi’s parents hold green cards as U.S. citizens, but are still having trouble evacuating Lebanon

“Our family are stuck in Beirut (Lebanon) and they are either a green card carrier or they have the citizenship and the U.S Embassy is not moving, not helping. The tickets are skyrocketing. They used to be like $1,000 now they’re $8,000 or 80% of the flights of suspended. “We need the U.S. Embassy to move. These are U.S. citizens … Lebanese or Palestinian American are not less American comparing to other American, most of all these people are taxpayer,” the Dearborn mother said. “I have cousins who lost their eyes and limbs … and everyone is watching as if our blood is cheap … we’re normalizing seeing the bloodshed.”

Imad Hamad, executive director of the American Human Rights Council, identified himself as a Palestinian refugee from Lebanon who has immediate relatives in both countries.

“Nobody is safe. All areas are subject to the Israeli targeting … the pillow, the mattress is like a dream to many to have, most people just left their destroyed houses, they left behind even people under the rubble. They live the misery of fear around the clock. Even the areas that is not directly targeted, it’s impacted minute by minute hearing the sounds of the environment. It’s terrorizing people, children, women,” she said.

Officials from the Jewish Federation of Detroit and the University of Michigan’s Hillel organization declined to comment on the calls for a weapons embargo and military aid for Israel. The Wayne State University Hillel and the Jewish Federation of Ann Arbor did not respond to requests for comment.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2024/09/30/michigan-imam-council-calls-for-cease-fire-in-lebanon-gaza/75450233007

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