[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 159 (Friday, November 16, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE GRAND OPENING OF THE AS-SIDDIQ INSTITUTE AND MOSQUE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 16, 2001

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the work of Shaykh 
Muhammad Hisham Kabbani and recognize the grand opening of the As-
Siddiq Institute and Mosque. The Institute will be opened to the public 
at a ceremony to be held on November 18th in Burton, Michigan.
  Shaykh Kabbani has worked tirelessly to build bridges of 
understanding between Muslims and persons of other faiths. He has 
endeavored to provide insight into the beauty and peace of Islam. As a 
nationally recognized spokesperson, Shaykh Kabbani has been interviewed 
by various news media and has advised the political leadership of our 
country. He has brought a warmhearted perspective of Islam to thousands 
of persons who had had no previous exposure to the religion. Shaykh 
Kabbani commands the respect of elected officials at every level of 
government. President Bush invited him to the prayer service at the 
National Cathedral on September 14th where he joined with our nation's 
leaders and clergy of many faiths in petitioning Allah (swt) to bless 
the United States.
  In keeping with Shaykh Kabbani's commitment to promote mainstream 
Muslim values and traditional Islamic teachings of religious tolerance, 
and condemnation of terrorism, he is opening the As-Siddiq Institute 
and Mosque for the public. The Institute will house an outreach center, 
research library, adult learning center, community meeting place and 
center for interfaith cooperation. The center will serve as a resource 
for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike to learn the tenets of Islam--
moderation, tolerance, peace and justice. I am pleased that Shaykh 
Kabbani chose to locate this center of education and worship in my 
Congressional district.
  Housed in a former Episcopal Church, the building will remain a house 
of worship with the opening of the Mosque. Many Islamic communities 
around the world, including those in the republics of the former Soviet 
Union, have donated artifacts and handwritten Korans to grace the 
Mosque. The faithful will be able to draw inspiration from these 
symbols of their faith handed down through the generations.
  Stressing the common religious heritage of Muslims, Christians and 
Jews, Shaykh Kabbani will be joined at the opening ceremony by Cardinal 
Adam Maida, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, Rabbi James Michaels 
of Temple Beth Israel, Reverend George L. Cleaves of St. Christopher's 
Episcopal Church and many other guests of honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in asking 
that God continue to bless Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani and the As-
Siddiq Institute and Mosque as they carry on the work bringing 
spirituality and dignity to all persons.

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