Dearborn mosque board asks resigning leader to reconsider

DETROIT (AP) - Board members at one of the nation's largest and most influential mosques say they are appealing to their religious leader to reconsider his resignation from the Detroit-area institution.

Imam Hassan al-Qazwini told worshippers at the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn last week that he wanted to resign. Al-Qazwini says he'll reconsider if the board dissolved.

Board chairman Ron Amen says that's an "insurmountable condition," but he and other leaders plan to speak Wednesday with al-Qazwini and his family in hopes he'll stay. It follows the board's symbolic action Sunday to reject the resignation.

Anonymous letters have accused al-Qazwini of moral and ethical lapses, which he denies.

The Associated Press has left numerous messages for al-Qazwini. He is from a family of prominent American Shiite scholars and of Iraqi descent.