DEARBORN — The Islamic Center of America (ICA) is a symbol of the Muslim community in Dearborn. As the biggest mosque in North America, pictures of its illuminated dome and minarets have become synonymous with Islam in the United States. 

The mosque has been targeted by anti-Muslim protesters, threats and even a bomb plot. However, the latest attack on the religious center came from an anonymous group that calls itself “The Gathering of Muslim Youth in Dearborn.” 

A letter sent to thousands of Dearborn residents two weeks ago attacked the spiritual leader of ICA, Imam Hassan Qazwini, and accused him of adultery and corruption. It also slammed the chairman of the ICA board, Ron Amen, claiming that he is not spiritually qualified to be in his position.

The letter claimed Amen does not pray or fast during Ramadan and “does not know the names of the 12 Imams.” Shi’a believe that 12 descendants of the Prophet Mohamed are his infallible, legitimate successors and are Caliphs.

Amen refuted the letter’s allegations.

“They don’t live with me,” he said of the senders of the letter. “Nobody is at home with me when I pray and fast.” 

The letter alleges that Qazwini has engaged in temporary marriage (mutah) with a woman while she was married to another man. It also accuses him of sending charity and alms (khumus) money to his father’s institutes in California and Iraq.

Qazwini did not return The Arab American News’ requests for comments, but Amen denied the accusations against him, describing them as a “cowardly attack.”

Asked who he thinks is behind the letter, Amen said, “only a deranged person or probably an Islamophobe would smear Sayed Hassan Qazwini.”

He added that the senders of the letter might claim they are Muslim, but if they followed the teachings of the religion they would not spread lies.

“ISIS and al-Qaeda proclaim themselves as Muslim, but their behavior opposes what the Qur’an tells us,” he said. “The people who distributed this letter are to be linked to ISIS in this regard.”

Amen said he would consult his lawyer to take legal action if the identities of the letter’s senders are revealed.

“The people who are spreading this know they are spouting false, libelous statements,” he said. “That’s why they are hiding behind anonymity.”

Amen’s sister, psychologist Sandra Amen-Bryan, defended him and the ICA in a statement, urging the community to stand against the attacks.

“The ICA Board of Trustees is fortunate to have a chairman with the skills, intelligence, and character my brother Ron has,” she said. “But if this community does not stand against scandalous attacks on our leaders, then truly we are no better than the thugs who seek to destroy the unity, tolerance, and moral excellence we all need to survive.”

ICA held its semi-annual fundraising dinner on Sunday, Nov. 9. The center honored retiring Congressman John Dingell at the event. About 1,000 people attended the ceremony, according to Amen.

“The letter did affect the turnout; this is the biggest dinner we had that I can remember,” he said.