DEARBORN — On Wednesday, the Supreme Islamic Shi’a Council of Beirut issued a press release declaring that the alleged Lebanese Sheikh Mohammad Haj Hassan, who is known for supporting Donald Trump, is not an Islamic scholar.

The release stated that Haj Hassan, “has nothing to do with clergy, whatsoever”, but is rather a distrustful man. It also said he grants the wishes and interests of certain media channels with biased goals.

Council officials investigated Hassan’s background and found that he had not attended the Hawza, a seminary where Shi’a clerics are trained.

The statement also indicated that the council had searched for more information to prove otherwise, but had found no appropriate documents. 

It also stated that there is a ruling against Hassan by a criminal judge in Beirut asserting that he is a fraud.

Haj Hassan had drawn attention for dressing up as a Shi’a imam and publicly backing up Trump, although he has a green card that doesn’t give him the right to vote. He attended a Trump rally in Novi and met the candidate before the rally, along with other supporters. 

Hassan had also presented himself as head of the Free Shi’a movement.

He provoked the community in the Metro Detroit Area because most Arab Americans supported Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.