Controversial imam back in Norway

OSLO. Nehmat Ali Shah is the imam in Norway's largest mosque.Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

The imam who has been sharply criticized for having participated in a demonstration in support of an executed assassin in Pakistan, is back in Norway.

Nehmat Ali Shah is imam in Norway’s largest mosque, Jamaat Ahle Sunnat Centralin Grønland in Oslo. On Thursday Nettavisen reported that he is back in Norway, and on Friday a press conference has been called at the mosque.
Many people reacted strongly when it became known that  Shah had shown support for Mumtaz Qadri, who was executed in February. Qadri was convicted of having killed the Governor Salman Taseer in 2011. The killer was a part of a the bodyguard unit of Taseer
Several have demanded the departure of the imam, and Chairman of the Board at the mosque has distanced himself from him and said that the conduct of the imam is an issue that will be dealt with by the Board.
Aftenposten writes that Pakistan’s Ambassador to Norway, Riffat Masood, also believes that Shah’s involvement is problematic.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today