Two U.S.-based mosques previously scrutinized by lawmakers over alleged ties to Iran are drawing renewed attention after hosting events honoring Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following reports that he was killed in a U.S.-Israeli military strike.
In Manassas, Virginia, a mosque advertised a “Potluck Iftar” — the meal marking the end of the daily Ramadan fast — dedicated to Khamenei. A flyer for the event referred to the late Iranian supreme leader as “our leader,” language that quickly circulated online and sparked criticism.
Meanwhile, the Islamic House of Wisdom (IHW) in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, also held a program memorializing Khamenei. During remarks to congregants, Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi sharply criticized the U.S. military operation, calling it “illegal” and “evil.”
“You promised that America First, and now we ended up to have Netanyahu first,” Elahi said, questioning the justification for the strikes and disputing claims about Iran’s nuclear program. He suggested the operation was aimed at regime change rather than addressing nuclear concerns.
Speakers at the Michigan event also repeated claims from Iranian state media alleging that a missile strike killed large numbers of schoolchildren. Iranian officials have issued varying casualty figures in recent days. U.S. Central Command has acknowledged awareness of reports of civilian harm and said it is reviewing the allegations. Independent verification of the casualty numbers has not been confirmed.
The two mosques were previously named in a July 2023 letter sent by Congressional Republicans to then–Attorney General Merrick Garland and then–Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines. The letter raised concerns about U.S.-based organizations that allegedly received funding from the Alavi Foundation, which lawmakers described as having longstanding legal disputes over accusations of operating on behalf of the Iranian government. The Alavi Foundation has denied wrongdoing in past litigation.
According to the letter, the Manassas mosque reportedly received funding from the foundation. The Islamic House of Wisdom was also cited, with lawmakers referencing a George Washington University Program on Extremism report that examined the center’s public messaging and alleged ideological alignment with Iranian leadership.
The letter further noted that Imam Elahi previously held a position in Iran during the 1980s and has acknowledged relationships with former Iranian political figures. Critics argue those connections warrant scrutiny; supporters say religious leaders with international ties are not uncommon in diaspora communities.
Neither mosque responded to media inquiries before publication.
