[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 23805]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    WELCOMING IMAM HASSAN AL-QAZWINI

  (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend the greetings of the 
House of Representatives to my constituent and friend, the Imam Hassan 
Al-Qazwini of the Islamic Center of America of Dearborn, Michigan, as 
our guest chaplain.
  Imam Qazwini's life is a testament to the greatness of our Nation and 
its devotion to freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, and 
universal liberty. His life story is remarkable and moving, and his 
dedication to his adoptive homeland should make us all proud.
  Imam Qazwini was born to a prominent religious family in Karbala, 
Iraq, and became a student at the Islamic Seminary in Qum, Iran. His 
family in Iraq were Shiites, and actively opposed the tyranny of Saddam 
Hussein. For their courage they were persecuted. Fourteen of his 
relatives were either executed or imprisoned by the Ba'athists.
  Imam Qazwini has become a leading voice for Muslims in America. He 
has spoken movingly of the need for reconciliation, for tolerance, and 
for the recognition of our shared humanity. He has worked with leaders 
in both the Christian and the Jewish communities to help bridge the 
differences between us and to dispel prejudice. His work has touched 
Muslim and non-Muslim alike, and his devotion to our State and our 
community of Dearborn has been recognized by the mayor, the governor, 
and by President Bush.
  Mr. Speaker, as I have said before, Imam Qazwini's life is a 
statement on the greatness of our Nation. In only a few years, he has 
become a leader in our Nation's religious life, and he has met twice 
with President Bush.
  I am proud that he is here today and was able to give this body a 
moving start to our day.
  Imam, you have been most welcome here today and we are honored that 
you are with us.

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