The imam of Dunedin’s mosque has resigned, prompting an urgent community meeting ”to present what has led to this development”.
Sheikh Asrarul Haque Obaidullah was the imam of Masjid Al-Huda but resigned on June 16 and had his last day in the role on June 20.
A statement from the Otago Muslim Association following the imam’s resignation wished him and his family all the best for their new adventure.
The association confirmed it was looking for a new Imam to fill the position.
But in a Facebook post this week, the association announced it ”would like to invite the community to a meeting to present what has led to this development”.
Members planning on attending the Friday night meeting have been asked not to bring recording devices or cellphones into the mosque.
Note-taking was also prohibited, the association’s post said.
The agenda for the meeting included references to “employment/resignation” and “financial”.
A question and answer session would be held at the end of the meeting.
Otago Muslim Association chairman Dr Mohammed Rizwan said he was not in a position to comment.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited Masjid Al-Huda last year to reassure Otago’s Muslim community after the Christchurch mosque shootings in March 2019. The terrorist had been living in Dunedin before the shootings.
After the attack it was revealed the Dunedin mosque was the gunman’s original target.
The mosque launched a fundraising drive last year to improve the security of its facilities, including exit points and accessible windows.
