Ramzi Chammout addressing Sayed Qazwini.

Discrimination against Arab an Muslim Americans is rampant at both the institutional and the social levels. Our local community is already facing vicious media attacks that link us to terrorists overseas, accuse us of living under Sharia law and overlook civil rights violations against us. Now, the controversy at the Islamic Center of America has given our foes one more reason for negative talk about us.

Allegations of corruption at the ICA have made headlines in both the local and national mainstream media, reflecting badly on our community. The events following the anonymous letters that attacked Sayed Hassan Qazwini have made us appear divided and incompetent— unable to run our own institutions.

Qazwini made strong statements against the board when he resigned on Jan. 22. Last week, we wrote an editorial stating that he went too far in how he approached his resignation and the speeches that followed it. 

On the following Friday, the sayed announced that he would reconsider his resignation, although he had agreed with board members and community leaders that he would deliver a farewell sermon calling for unity. 

However, if Qazwini had thought of the prospect of staying at the center, he shouldn’t have burned his bridges with the administration by setting the bar so high and demanding that the board resigns.

By declaring that he will resign and then announcing that he was reconsidering his decision a week later, Qazwini confused the community and prolonged the controversy. He generated more headlines about this issue that should have been addresses swiftly and quietly since day one. 

Qazwini announced his own Friday prayer at the Civic Center after the board suspended him for two months to address the center’s problems. By doing so, the sayed added fuel to the fire, burning any chance of a conclusive and non-divisive resolution.

The board also mishandled the situation. Trustees rejected Qazwini’s resignation, without addressing his request that they resign. 

A letter by the ICA’s former treasurer to board members, accusing Qazwini of diversion of funds, was leaked to the media; and the board did nothing to quell the claims of corruption that it sparked. 

The administration should have unanimously explained what happened or investigated the allegations of the letter. Since the controversy broke out, the ICA has been in the media, but its administration never officially addressed the concerns of the community through the media. 

The board and its chairman should have held a press conference and negated speculations with words of truth. Closing your eyes does not mean people cannot see you.

Passion and thinking 

Passion has been running high among both camps in the community. Those who oppose the sayed have insulted his person with utter disrespect, ignoring that he is a revered religious scholar who served the community for 18 years with relentless dedication. Also the sayed’s supporters are guilty of ad hominem attacks on community members with different opinions.

The fact that Qazwini is an imam does not make him immune to criticism. Raising the sayed to the status of gods is unacceptable. 

For example, on Friday, Jan. 29, real estate agent Ramzi Chammout compared Qazwini to the Prophet Mohamad in front of a mosque full of worshipers. He said the sayed’s turban is holier than the mosque’s minaret.

It is good to be passionate. But we should not let passion impair our thinking.