DEARBORN, Mich. – Dearborn police say a man has confessed to burning at least three Qurans in public because he felt that he wasn't getting help for his financial problems from an Imam and a group of Muslim followers.
Police said a burned Quran, the central religious text of Islam, was found June 10 on a sidewalk outside the Karabala Islamic Center. On June 25, officers were again called to the center for a second report of a Quran burning.
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Police said witnesses identified Ali Al-Asaidi as the one responsible for the burning and, when questioned, admitted that he was responsible for the burnings. In addition to the two at the center, police said Al-Asaidi also admitted to burning a Quran that was found on Chase Road south of Tireman Avenue.
Police said Al-Asaidi explained that he had burned the Qurans because he was upset with the Imam's and Muslim followers at local mosques who refused to help him with several financial problems he was facing.
He was charged with numerous public order crimes. He pleaded guilty and was released on a $300 bond.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 5.