PROSPECT PARK - The borough's Syrian-born mayor is calling for the resignation of a board of education member, claiming the woman made an "Islamophobic remark" as he spoke during a public meeting.

Mayor Mohamed Khairullah (FILE)

Mayor Mohamed Khairullah claims he was expressing his position on an issue Tuesday during a Prospect Park Board of Education meeting when board member Emma Anderson interrupted.

"This is not Sharia law, this is an orderly session," Anderson is alleged to have said.

Sharia law is a body of Koran-based guidance that points Muslims toward living an Islamic life. The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says Anderson's alleged remark - in the context in which it was made - is offensive.

The council on Wednesday released video from the meeting along with a statement backing up the mayor. On the video a woman is heard making a comment about Sharia law off-camera.

"Bigoted statements like those made by Ms. Anderson are extremely offensive and demonstrate a level of intolerance that should disqualify her from serving on any organization overseeing the education of children," said council Executive Director James Sues.

"We applaud Prospect Park Mayor Khairullah for his courage and leadership in taking a stand against bigotry," Sues said.

Anderson on Wednesday did not deny making the remark, but called the mayor's reaction "fake news."

The "mayor is looking for sympathy, and will not hold any punches no matter how below the belt they may be," Anderson stated in an email to NJ Advance Media.

Anderson said Khairullah has engaged in a tug-of-war with board of education members over control of the board.

"Our mayor resented not being in charge, and tried as hard as possible to cause a riot during the June meetings," Anderson said in a statement.

"On Tuesday, he sent a board member to the hospital after harassing and bullying her, called me racist on social media, and accused another member of trying to move out and 'stick it to the town.' And, yes, the three members attacked were women," Anderson said.

Commissioner of the Board of Education Mrs. Nydia Cano is currently in the hospital emergency room being treated after... Posted by Emma Anderson on Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Khairullah declined to answer questions about what occurred at the Tuesday board of education meeting and instead released a statement late Wednesday afternoon through the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

"Anyone who is capable of using such divisive terms against me is capable of using similarly hostile terms against others in the community," Khairullah said.

"Therefore, I am calling for the immediate resignation of Board Member Emma Anderson and ask that County Superintendent of Schools (Richard H. Davis) and the New Jersey Department of Education investigate the matter fully and take appropriate action based on the results of that investigation."

In 2015, Khairullah made news when he called on on Gov. Chris Christie to apologize for remarks that the United States should not admit any refugees from the Syrian civil war - not even "orphans under age 5."

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.