Islamic Center of America Parts Ways With Its Top Scholar

DEARBORN (AP) — One of the nation's largest mosques has officially parted ways with a top Islamic leader after months of acrimony.

Islamic Center of America board member Ron Amen told The Associated Press Saturday that the Dearborn mosque is replacing Imam Hassan al-Qazwini with three imams. The first is Sheikh Ahmad Hamood, who has been overseeing religious instruction at the center's school and filled in for a few months while al-Qazwini was on leave.

Al-Qazwini, who comes from a family of prominent Shiite scholars, has been leading prayers elsewhere. The Detroit Free Press reports that he plans to open a new mosque in the Detroit area.

The AP left a message for al-Qazwini.

Some board members accused al-Qazwini of financial misdeeds, which he has denied. They also clashed over other proposed reforms.

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