Islamic scholar from South Africa is denied entry into United States

An Islamic scholar from South Africa was denied entry into the United States, prompting questions from Bay Area Muslims who had invited him to participate in activities marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Fazlur Rahman Azmi was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials and then denied entry after he arrived at San Francisco International Airport from London on Friday afternoon, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil liberties group.

Michael Fleming, a Customs and Border Protection spokesman, refused to give any details of the case other than to say, “His application for entry into the U.S. was determined to be inadmissible.”