USA: Information on the Islamic Institute of America in Dearborn, Michigan; political affiliation, e.g. Hezbollah
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 December 1989 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | USA3371 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, USA: Information on the Islamic Institute of America in Dearborn, Michigan; political affiliation, e.g. Hezbollah, 1 December 1989, USA3371, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad7e64.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Islamic Institute of America is located in Dearborn, Michigan. It appears to be an organization with a Shi'ite membership, and in 1985, had links to Nabih Berri, the leader of Amal. Please refer to the attached articles:
- Ronald Smothers, "Hostages in Lebanon; Michigan Shi'ites Offer to Work with Parish", The New York Times, 26 June 1985;
- James Barron, "Hostages in Lebanon; Michigan Shi'ite Invites Families to Visit Relative Held in Beirut", The New York Times, 28 June 1985.
In recent years, some of the Shi'ite support for Amal has shifted toward the more fundamentalist Hezbollah in Lebanon and, according to a member of the Canadian Arab community, Dr. Hitti, the same shift in allegiance toward a pro-Iranian stance may have occurred at the Islamic Institute of America in Dearborn. This information could not, however, be corroborated by any written sources.