By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – Islamic Center of America spiritual leader, Imam Sayed Hassan Al-Qazwini was suspended for two months by the ICA’s board members.
This move allows the board and Qazwini time to process the information and events that have occurred.
During the two months Qazwini cannot lead or perform religious services or prayers.
The situation led to the board announcing they would not allow Qazwini to lead Friday prayer on Feb. 6 at the ICA for the first time in his 18 years at the center.
Friday prayer was instead held at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, where hundreds turned out to pray and support Qazwini.
This was not the first time the board members have tried to remove Qazwini, they also failed to remove Qazwini from the center five years ago after.
Qazwini threatened to resign Feb. 23 during a speech at the ICA. He was accused of misdeeds and corruption relating to the center’s funds.
“I felt like staying here at the ICA without any change or reform would compromise my dignity,” he said during the speech. “I was being humiliated and I am not going to take this anymore.”
Qazwini is known as a mentor in the community to teach the practices and beliefs of Islam and also founded the Young Muslim Association.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)