ELYRIA — Muslims from a local mosque say they feel betrayed after one of their own was accused of robbing a mother and son in Westlake.Abdul Bari was one of five acting imams who led sermons at the Masjid al-Madinah mosque on Reid Avenue in Lorain, said Mahmoud Al Tabbaa, one of the mosque’s board members. An imam is anyone who leads prayer services in the Muslim religion, but who must exhibit a wealth of knowledge about Islam and piety, he said.
Bari, 40, of Elyria was in contention to become the official imam of the mosque, who would lead all services and be paid. He was well-liked among the congregation — comprised of about 40 families — because he was fluent in Arabic, Pakistani and English, and he was very intelligent. “He seemed perfect in every way,” said Sam Shannawi, 40, one of the congregants.