Karbala Islamic Education Center

The Karbala Islamic Education Center, founded in 1995 by Imam Husham Al-Hussainy, is located in Dearborn, Michigan [1].  It has been described as “a hub for Lebanese and Iraqi immigrants.” [2] The Karbala Center conducts activities with nearby mosques, including the Islamic Center of America and the Islamic Institute of Knowledge [3].

The mosque has been involved numerous anti-extremism and interfaith events [4]. In 2007, al-Husainy was questioned about appearing at rallies that supported Hezbollah [5]. When asked in a television interview if he believed Hezbollah (which means “party of God”) was a terrorist organization, he responded, “No.”  He then expounded, “There is a biblical meaning of Hezbollah. It is in Judaism and Christianity and Islam meaning people of God.” At the end of he interview he stated, “You know what Hezbollah means. I support the people of God.” [6]

In 2015, the Karbalaa Center posted a video to their Facebook page featuring al-Hussainy condemning Saudi attacks on Yemen, describing (in Arabic) Saudi actions as terrorism and claiming they are “agents of the Jews.” [7]

Al-Hussainy spoke to a crowd in Baghdad affiliated with the group Saraya Ashura [8]. Saraya Ashura is a Shiite militant group in Iraq that received training from Iran [9]. In February, he posted a picture of the Iranian Islamic revolution’s leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and praised the revolution [10].

Sources:

[1] Karbalaa Islamic Educational Center Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/pg/Karbalaa-Islamic-Educational-Center-120334721315825/about/?ref=page_internal (Accessed June 6, 2018)

[2] Pepper, J. Patrick, “Former Dearborn man accused of running $170 million Ponzi scheme caught,” Press & Guide, February 7, 2012, https://www.pressandguide.com/news/former-dearborn-man-accused-of-running-million-ponzi-scheme-caught/article_8a2a8e67-ba7f-569d-885b-98726b3ebc91.html

[3] The Pluralism Project, “Karbala Islamic Educational Center (CJ),” Harvard University, https://pluralism.org/profile/karbala-islamic-educational-center-cj/ (Accessed June 6, 2018)

[4] Ibid.

[5] Bokhari, Aatif Ali, “Michigan: 10,000 March to Protest Israeli Attacks,” The Arab American News, July 24, 2006, Retrieved from: https://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=26c3ba97c33914fe777719631c2d4535

[6] Hannity & Colmes Transcript, “Imam Al-Husainy Reacts to DNC Flap,” Fox News, February 9, 2007, https://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/02/09/imam-al-husainy-reacts-to-dnc-flap.html

[7] Karbalaa Islamic Educational Center Facebook video, https://www.facebook.com/120334721315825/videos/1087268661289088/ (Accessed June 6, 2018)

[8] Husham Al Husainy Facebook post, April 21, 2018, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=779135165612369&set=pb.100005476786797.-2207520000.1524504410.&type=3&theater (Archived: https://archive.is/0KnVW)

[9] Cigar, Norman, “Iraq’s Shia Warlords and their Militias: Political and Security Challengers and Options,” Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College, June, 2015, https://ssi.armywarcollege.edu/pdffiles/PUB1272.pdf

[10] Husham Al Husainy Facebook post, February 11, 2018, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=745078799018006&set=pb.100005476786797.-2207520000.1524504784.&type=3&theater  (Archived: https://archive.is/8ic8X)