Source: The Patriot Ledger

http://www.patriotledger.com/articles/2005/05/09/news/news01.txt

On May 9, 2005 The Patriot Ledger reported, "the rift over the pending departure of Imam Talal Eid from the Islamic Center of New England is widening. Imam Eid's resignation, which backers say was forced, is 'a settled question,' according to one mosque official, but his supporters are escalating a campaign to convince the center's board of directors to rescind a decision that led to him to quit. 'The community wants the imam to stay,' said Salim Marhamo of Quincy, organizer of an event in honor of Imam Eid yesterday at Fore River Club House. About 200 supporters - including several current and former Islamic Center board members - paid tribute to the man who for 23 years has led the center, which has mosques in Quincy and Sharon. Imam Eid, 53, a native of Lebanon, resigned in January and will leave June 30. The imam and his supporters say he was effectively forced to quit when the board of directors moved to limit his authority at the center's Quincy mosque and take away his oversight in Sharon. Supporters say he also has been under fire from conservative Islamic Center members, especially at the Sharon mosque. The board's majority who accepted his resignation reject the claim that a growing moderate-conservative division exists."