Amy Mek
In a deeply troubling development, one of Dearborn, Michigan’s largest Islamic news groups, Dearborn.org, along with the Islamic Institute of Knowledge (IIOK)—a Michigan-based mosque with known ties to extremism—are promoting the obituary and hosting a memorial service for Hezbollah jihadi Fadel Abbas Bazzi. Bazzi, a Hezbollah fighter killed in Lebanon, is being publicly mourned and celebrated by IIOK, a tax-exempt organization under U.S. law. His employers posted a death notice, which Hezbollah echoed in an official statement, referring to him as a martyr who “died on the path of Al-Quds.”
Many fellow Jihadis mourned the Hezbollah fighter on social media:
The IIOK mosque, which is holding a memorial service for Hezbollah fighter Fadel Abbas Bazzi, proudly posted about the upcoming “commemoration service” on their Facebook page. The terror praising event will be held at the Mosque on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 3:00 pm.
This controversial Shia Mosque has a very troubling history. Founded by Imam Abdul Latif Berry in 1981, the Islamic Institute of Knowledge operates under the guise of a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
It claims to focus on promoting Islamic education through the traditions of the Ahlulbayt. However, its activities suggest something far more troubling. Imam Baqir Berry, the current leader, in his April 12, 2024, Friday sermon, made inflammatory remarks, comparing Zionism to ISIS and calling for the ‘re-education’ of Jews, among other anti-Jewish and divisive Islamic statements. He has also stated that Zionism is ‘a million times worse than ISIS,’ which has drawn significant criticism.
What’s more alarming is the IIOK’s deeper connections to Iran and Hezbollah, a recognized terrorist organization funded and backed by Iran. Hezbollah has a long and violent history of targeting Americans, including the infamous 1983 Beirut barracks bombings that killed hundreds of U.S. service members. The IIOK’s connection to other mosques with similar extremist links highlights the broader concern: Why is an organization with ties to an Islamic terrorist group that has caused such harm to U.S. citizens and servicemembers allowed to continue benefiting from tax-exempt status?
The Islamic Institute of Knowledge, along with other Muslim institutions in Dearborn, is exploiting both its religious authority and U.S. tax laws to advance an Islamic agenda that threatens Western freedoms. It is deeply troubling that a Hezbollah terrorist, responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans, is being publicly honored on American soil. The fact that this is happening under the legal protection of U.S. tax exemptions—designed to support charitable and community-focused organizations—should raise serious concerns about the misuse of these benefits to promote ideologies hostile to the West.
Granting tax-exempt status to organizations like the IIOK facilitates the spread of Islamic supremacy under the cover of religious freedom. Instead of promoting education and community, they are fostering political and ideological activities that undermine U.S. security and values. This is not just a local issue confined to Dearborn; it’s a sign of how Islam is embedding itself into American society, using tax benefits to push an agenda that poses a real threat to national security.
Highlighting the extent of infiltration in America, Dearborn.org, one of the largest and most controversial area newsgroups in the region, is openly promoting on their website the obituary and commemoration service for a Hezbollah terrorist.
Why is the United States allowing a memorial service for a member of an international terrorist organization responsible for the deaths of hundreds of U.S. service members? Even more concerning, why is this happening at the Islamic Institute of Knowledge (IIOK), a mosque benefiting from tax-exempt status? This raises critical questions: Are authorities investigating the mosque’s ties to Hezbollah? Are the family members involved being scrutinized? Will law enforcement be present at the memorial to monitor potential threats?
Additionally, why is Dearborn.org, a major Islamic-tired news group, openly promoting the obituary of a Hezbollah terrorist? Are those running the site under investigation for glorifying a member of a terrorist organization? These are pressing concerns that must be addressed to prevent further infiltration of Islamic supremacists into American communities.
This dangerous precedent cannot go unchecked. The Islamic Institute of Knowledge’s ability to retain tax-exempt status while hosting a memorial for a Hezbollah terrorist is a clear exploitation of U.S. legal protections meant for legitimate charitable organizations. The U.S. government must investigate and take swift action, including revoking the tax-exempt status of any institution that supports terrorism. We cannot afford to allow taxpayer benefits to fund the spread of Islamic terrorism. Immediate oversight and accountability are essential.
Take Action
Michigan residents who are outraged by the U.S. government funneling money to an extremist mosque in their state that supports Hezbollah should take action to stop these funds.
Click here to find Michigan lawmakers’ email and phone numbers in Washington, D.C.
You can also find contact information for Michigan state senators here, and for state representatives here.
To reach Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, click here or call 517-335-7858 to leave a message. The message to all policymakers is clear: Stop funding America’s enemies,
RAIR Foundation
Vlad Tepes
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