“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)           
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بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

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Press Release

Imam Elturk Joins Clergy Condemning Antisemitism

  • January 13, 2023
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With the rise of antisemitisim, Imam Mustapha Elturk, Ameer and president of IONA, joins an esteemed clergy from the Religious Leaders Forum where he serves as a member, in strong condemnation of acts of violence and racial descrimination against the Jewish people and their houses of worship.

Imam Elturk expressed his sentiments regarding the recent ethnic intmidation incident that took place at Temple Beth El. In part, he wrote to Rabbi Mark Miller of Temple Beth El, “Ethnic intimidation, racism and discrimination against any individual or a group of people of any race or belonging to a particular faith or of no faith is abhorred and should not be tolerated. It must be condemned in the strongest terms.”

Imam Elturk, on behalf of IONA, conveyed to the Jewish community his condemnation of the ethnic intimidation and hate-filled rage of the lunatic Hassan Yehia Chokr who spewed derogatory anti-sematic slurs and racial threats to parents, children and security guards at Temple Beth El.” He sent heartfelt prayers for the Jewish community.

“Be one Jewish, Christian, Muslim, of any faith or no faith, we must recognize each other as brothers and sisters in humanity belonging to one human family, ‘We made you into nations and tribes to know one another’ (Quran, 49:13)” Imam Elturk stated. “We must honor one another in the most dignified and honorable way for evil begets evil and good begets good.” Imam Elturk added.

Below is the Religious Leaders Forum Statement on Antisemitism.

The Religious Leaders Forum of Metropolitan Detroit Condemns Antisemitism

The Religious Leaders Forum of Metropolitan Detroit expresses its solidarity with the Metropolitan Detroit Jewish community and condemns, in the strongest terms possible, all manner of hateful and violent words and acts against our Jewish brothers and sisters and their houses of worship. The recent spate of antisemitic incidents across our country and in our community is vile and entirely antithetical to our respective faiths’ teachings. We hereby affirm that attacks, hatred, and discrimination against any person on the basis of his or her religious identity have no place in our country or community. In years past, the Religious Leaders Forum has condemned instances of Islamophobic and racist bigotry in our community. Recent attacks on Jews require us again to speak out forcefully. Any attack on one of us shall be deemed an attack on each of us. We will continue to promote tolerance and respect for one another. Nothing short of this is acceptable.

The Religious Leaders Forum of Metropolitan Detroit believes that the significant moral and social values espoused by their respective religious groups are important considerations for the entire community. Its leaders share an unshakeable belief that God is bountifully at work in our community. Its members join together to foster mutual respect for one another and work together to utilize their collective influence for the betterment of the metropolitan Detroit civic community.

Religious Leaders Forum of Metropolitan Detroit

  • Reverend Stancy Adams, Chair, InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit
  • Bishop David Bard, Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church
  • Hajji Najah Bazzy, Muslim Religious Leader
  • Reverend James Curenton, Mayflower Congregational Church
  • Elder David DeVries, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • Rabbi Asher Lopatin, Executive Director, Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC
  • Imam Steve Mustapha Elturk, President, Islamic Organization of North America
  • Rabbi Robert Gamer, President, Michigan Board of Rabbis
  • Father Aren Jebejian, St. John’s Armenian Orthodox Church
  • President David Johnson, Westland Stake, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • Monsignor John Kasza, Interfaith Officer, Archdiocese of Detroit
  • Bishop Donald Kreiss, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southeast Michigan Synod
  • Rabbi Harold Loss, Temple Israel
  • The Right Reverend Bonnie Perry, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
  • Michael Peterson, President, Bloomfield Hills Stake, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • Father George Shalhoub, St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church
  • Pilgrims supplicate at Hajj in Mecca, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy Steve Mustafa ElturkImam Hassan Sayed Qazwini, Islamic Institute of America
  • Pilgrims supplicate at Hajj in Mecca, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy Steve Mustafa ElturkImam Hassan Sayed Qazwini, Islamic Institute of America
  • Bishop Edgar Vann, Second Ebenezer Church
  • Bishop Corletta Vaughn, Holy Ghost Church
  • The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit

About the Religious Leaders Forum

The Religious Leaders Forum, a group of senior clergy leaders, have gathered together to foster mutual respect and work towards a metropolitan Detroit community that thrives in compassion and peace. They believe that the significant moral and social values of their diverse religions are important considerations for the entire community. The Religious Leaders Forum is convened by the InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit.

IONA, 28630 Ryan Rd., Warren, MI 48092 | Tel: 586-558-6900 | E-mail: center@iononline.org

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IONA’s mission is to transform its members and help transform the surrounding communities to righteous, God-fearing people, who collectively strive for the highest moral standard and constantly seek forgiveness from our Creator to earn His pleasure. We seek His compassion and mercy in this life and in the hereafter. We rejuvenate our soul through internal struggle and spiritual exercise in worship of our creator God. The strength of our belief in God gives us the courage to establish good and forbid evil, thus promoting a system of justice for all mankind.

About IONA

IONA’s objective is to help the Muslims of North America understand and fulfill their divinely ordained obligations, in order to please Allah (SWT) and thereby achieve success and salvation in the Hereafter.
IONA’s objective is to help the Muslims of North America understand and fulfill their divinely ordained obligations, in order to please Allah (SWT) and thereby achieve success and salvation in the Hereafter.

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