Imam Admits Feud Ruining Expansion Goal
Muslim Leader in Seoul Claims Legal Dispute Nearly Over
By Bryan Kay
Staff Reporter
One of Korea's top Muslim leaders has admitted that the financial feud that has divided the Islamic community in Seoul is hindering their quest to spread the religion here.
The Korea Muslim Federation (KMF), based at Seoul Central Masjid, is in the midst of a legal battle with the recently established Center for the Protection of Muslim Human Rights, with the latter launching a complaint with police against the KMF for the alleged misuse of donated funds.
But Imam Sulaiman Lee Haeng-lae, agreeing to an interview just over two weeks after the KMF refused to comment on the case, told The Korea Times Monday that the courts have ruled in favor of the KMF and that those at the center of the allegations are no longer associated with the mosque.
Earlier, however, representatives of the human rights center insisted they were preparing to fight on in the case.
The religious leader also claimed that while the cash at the heart of the dispute had been invested in the stock market after his approval and for the good of the organization, other "wrongdoings" saw other players dismissed.
"The community will grow as long as the believers and specifically those involved with the KMF think and act correctly and justly," he said. "The situation right now is holding us back from this goal.
"As soon as we are done with this confrontation ― as soon as we settle ― then we will concentrate our efforts on having people converted and teach Muslim teachings."
Imam Lee said the court case the allegations surround are over the claimed wrongful dismissal of certain individuals. But he also disclosed that officials were dismissed at around the time of the stock market investment over alleged embezzlement, though those allegations are unrelated to the court case.
"(The feud) puts us in a difficult position because as a religious entity we have to keep ourselves sacred and our role as the KMF is to lead the congregation, walk the right path.
"The people who used to work here, who are now (dismissed), did some wrongdoings.
"They bought a stock fund and since 2007 the economy (has gone) down and they lost money.
"Right around that time, some officials here were found to be engaged in embezzlement," he said, adding that they were also fired.
"Those who were laid off didn't think it was justified. People who weren't happy with the loss and those who got fired came to the KMF asking for the money that was lost to be restored and some wanted their jobs to be restored.
"I don't think that is right," he said, so he did not comply. "So, one person who was fired for money laundering joined (the Center for the Protection of Muslim Human Rights)…"
A Yongsan police officer confirmed late last month that complaints had been filed by both parties, and told The Korea Times that the matter was now in the hands of the prosecution.
Members of the human rights center ― who insist their facility was set up to help members of the community and not as a protest group against the KMF, despite criticism it is failing to live up to its name ― have been holding regular demonstrations outside the mosque.
They have called for Imam Lee's resignation, displaying banners and handing out leaflets outlining their allegations over the misuse of funds to members of the public.
The imam, who converted to Islam 50 years ago, insisted that those involved in the mosque, controlled by the KMF, are now engaged in clearing the name of their organization.
"What is important is the integrity of the religious organization. Whether it is Buddhist, Christian or Islam, they have to keep their organization clean and transparent so they can be an example to the public. What we are now facing is the clean up of the wrongdoings.
"The KMF are in the middle of settling the issue, and when that gets done we will forgive people who need to be forgiven and try to unite ourselves: I will have (the Center for the Protection of Muslim Human Rights) come over here and talk about the issues on which we are conflicting… (namely) the loss from the stock fund. We will talk about ways to minimize the loss."
But Imam Lee, the mosque's imam since 1991, said those laid off amid the controversy won't be reinstated.
"They can't come back, I don't think that is the right thing to do," he explained. "In court we are close to settlement… a lawsuit (was filed) against the KMF for unjustified dismissal and the law court ruled against (the complainant)… " A subsequent appeal also failed, he added.
Imam Lee believes the Islamic community can only grow if those involved in the upper echelons of the religion here act with integrity.
However, he said attracting donations in Korea is difficult, meaning they have to rely on cash from overseas, which, he added, makes the task difficult.
There are about 120,000 Muslims in Korea, including about 35,000 to 40,000 Koreans.
Korea Times intern JR Breen contributed reporting to this article.