By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — The Islamic Center of America has accepted the resignation of Imam Sayed Hassan Al-Qazwini.
The ICA Board of Trustees decided to accept the resignation Qazwini during a meeting on May 9.
The news was posted on the ICA’s Facebook page.
“The board of trustees of the Islamic Center of America regrettably accepts the resignation of Sayed Qazwini and decided to proceed to hire Imam(s) to serve the community at the Islamic Center,” the post read.
Qazwini first threatened to resign during a Jan. 23 speech at the mosque.
“I felt like staying here at the ICA without any change or reform would compromise my dignity,” he said. “I was being humiliated and I am not going to take this anymore.”
The following week, Qazwini said he would reconsider resigning from the ICA.
In February, the ICA Board suspended Qazwini for two weeks and announced it 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.
The disagreement between the board and Qazwini was not a new one.
“After agonizing months of attempts to bridge the gap between Sayed Qazwini’s demands and what the Islamic Center of America can offer, both parties reached an impasse,” the Facebook post read.
Qazwini is known as a leader and mentor in the community with a variety of groups and also founded the Young Muslim Association, to help teach and promote the practices and beliefs of Islam.
“The Board of Trustees thanks Sayed Qazwini for his years of service to the Islamic Center and the community and wish him success in his future endeavor,” the Facebook post read.
ICA Board Chairman Ron Amen did not return calls by press time.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)