Imam Hassan Al-Qazwini
A group of Shia Muslims from metro Detroit say they were attacked by members of the rival Sunni sect during the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Detroit Free Press: The Michigan Shias, led by Imam Hassan Al-Qazwini of Dearborn, the spiritual leader of metro Detroit’s biggest mosque, were in Saudi Arabia on hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage that all observant Muslims are required to take at least once in their life if they’re able to. The group included three women from the Amen family who were featured in the reality TV show “All-American Muslim.”
While Shias from metro Detroit have reported being harassed before on hajj, last week’s incident was much more extreme and frightening, members of the group told the Free Press.
Not unlike, protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland, there has long been tensions between the two Islamic sects.
State Department officials say they are investigating the situation and have been in contact with the Saudi government.
