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Your place of worship and learning

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IONA Opens Headquarter Office In Warren, Mi

With the help of Allah (SWT), the Islamic Organization of North America (IONA) opened its headquarter office in Warren, MI. In addition to serving as the administrative center for IONA, the facility will serve as a full-time masjid and learning center for the local Muslim community. Establishing a vibrant center for IONA has been one of the top priorities of Ameer Mustapha Elturk since assuming leadership of IONA in 2003. This achievement marks an important milestone in furthering the objectives of the Islamic Organization in North America.

Additionally, the center will play an important role in educating non-Muslim neighbors about Islam, helping to foster greater awareness and appreciation for Islamic values. The critical need to educate the local community about Islam was made evident by the extraordinary difficulties IONA encountered from some members of the local Planning Commission and a few prejudiced residents – who in some cases resorted to ethnic bigotry, violent threats, and vandalism to express their opposition.

Despite this opposition, a coalition of concerned citizenry and local, state and federal government offices banded together to protect the civil and legal rights of the organization. Ultimately, the U.S. Department of Justice closely monitored the situation, and considered opening a federal lawsuit against the Planning Commission if they continued with their illegal rejection of the petition to open an Islamic center in Warren. Those who were supportive of the

efforts to establish this center were present for the opening ceremonies, held on Friday, May 25th. US Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan sent a representative from her office to the opening ceremonies and presented IONA with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition “for the grand opening of the Mosque and Learning Center in Warren, Michigan”.

Many local residents also came to witness and welcome the first Islamic center in Warren. Mustapha Elturk expressed deep gratitude to all those who supported his organization’s efforts to establish the center, including the Interfaith Partners of Southeast Michigan represented by local religious leaders from a number of Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Hindu communities.
Additionally, Ameer Mustapha Elturk presented specific awards of recognition to Edwin Bayer, Planning Department Director for the City of Warren for his professionalism and exemplary public service; Ed Bruley, Macomb County Commissioner for his dedication to serving people of all faiths in Macomb County; and Dan Cortez, Free Press Staff Writer, for outstanding journalism and objective news reporting.
Founded in 2003, the Islamic Organization of North America is a revivalist Islamic movement calling Muslims to repentance, revitalization of faith, and renewal of covenant. The primary objective of IONA is to help its members and the wider Muslim community achieve salvation on the Day of Judgment through loving, whole-hearted and complete obedience to the Will of Allah (SWT).
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.