Imam at center of child sex probe
January 19, 2012 | By KNews | Filed Under News
An Islamic scholar who is also the Imam for a Masjid in Turkeyen is under investigation for allegedly having sex with four boys.
According to reports, the man was taken into police custody on Monday after a medical examination revealed that boys, ages ranging from 4 to 10, were sexually molested. All of the children are members of the masjid. The Imam was released on station bail late yesterday.
The story began to unfold earlier this week after an anonymous tip was left at the Child Protection Agency about the children being abused. Following this tip, officers from the CPA informed the parents of the children and the police. After being questioned, the children reportedly made several allegations about being sexually molested by the Imam.
Subsequently, a medical examination confirmed that all four boys were indeed molested. There are reports that the CPA has received the names of several other boys from the community who were allegedly molested by the Imam and efforts are being made to contact the parents of these children.
Meanwhile, the children’s mother who spoke with this publication said that she never suspected anything as she had confidence in the Imam and held him in high regards.
“I never expect this. After school, they would go to the masjid and stay until like 8 in the night.” The woman related that there were rumors circulating in the community about the Imam but she dispelled them. She added that after her sons were questioned and they related their stories she then began to recall one strange incident.
“One night my big son come home late and it look like he was crying so I ask him what happen and he say that the Imam beat him to stay back and watch game on the computer… and he just go straight in he bed.”
“He tell we that when he was about to come home the Imam called him back to watch game on the computer and he refused so the man started beating he and he try to jump the back fence and a man pull he back and took him into a room.”
The woman added that her son further related that once he was in the room with the Imam, he was ordered to take off his clothes. He was then allegedly molested.
According to the lad, the Imam then showed him two guns and told him if he told anyone he would kill him. After that time, the lad said it continued until it was reported recently. His brothers were also molested.
Meanwhile, the mother of the children says she is fearful that the matter will be ‘swept under the carpet’. The woman said she has been told that efforts are being made from the higher levels in the Muslim community to have her settle the matter.
“I want justice for my children. I don’t want any money- no money can compensate what has been done to my children and if I take money it would mean that I am condoning what has been done and that I’m putting other young boys at risk.”
This same concern is being expressed by officials from the Child Protection Agency.
“We are calling on all advocates to come out and speak out against this matter.”
In addition, the CPA is also concerned for the safety of the children.
Also several residents of the community have come out in condemnation of the act saying that many of them had confidence in the Imam but for a while rumours have been circulating.
“Long we hearing this thing but we never had solid evidence and when people come forward… two days after, the big ones hold a meeting and the next thing the family change their story.”
Meanwhile, the man who is also a teacher at a popular Muslim School, was late yesterday released on $150,000 station bail.
January 19, 2012 | By KNews | Filed Under News
An Islamic scholar who is also the Imam for a Masjid in Turkeyen is under investigation for allegedly having sex with four boys.
According to reports, the man was taken into police custody on Monday after a medical examination revealed that boys, ages ranging from 4 to 10, were sexually molested. All of the children are members of the masjid. The Imam was released on station bail late yesterday.
The story began to unfold earlier this week after an anonymous tip was left at the Child Protection Agency about the children being abused. Following this tip, officers from the CPA informed the parents of the children and the police. After being questioned, the children reportedly made several allegations about being sexually molested by the Imam.
Subsequently, a medical examination confirmed that all four boys were indeed molested. There are reports that the CPA has received the names of several other boys from the community who were allegedly molested by the Imam and efforts are being made to contact the parents of these children.
Meanwhile, the children’s mother who spoke with this publication said that she never suspected anything as she had confidence in the Imam and held him in high regards.
“I never expect this. After school, they would go to the masjid and stay until like 8 in the night.” The woman related that there were rumors circulating in the community about the Imam but she dispelled them. She added that after her sons were questioned and they related their stories she then began to recall one strange incident.
“One night my big son come home late and it look like he was crying so I ask him what happen and he say that the Imam beat him to stay back and watch game on the computer… and he just go straight in he bed.”
“He tell we that when he was about to come home the Imam called him back to watch game on the computer and he refused so the man started beating he and he try to jump the back fence and a man pull he back and took him into a room.”
The woman added that her son further related that once he was in the room with the Imam, he was ordered to take off his clothes. He was then allegedly molested.
According to the lad, the Imam then showed him two guns and told him if he told anyone he would kill him. After that time, the lad said it continued until it was reported recently. His brothers were also molested.
Meanwhile, the mother of the children says she is fearful that the matter will be ‘swept under the carpet’. The woman said she has been told that efforts are being made from the higher levels in the Muslim community to have her settle the matter.
“I want justice for my children. I don’t want any money- no money can compensate what has been done to my children and if I take money it would mean that I am condoning what has been done and that I’m putting other young boys at risk.”
This same concern is being expressed by officials from the Child Protection Agency.
“We are calling on all advocates to come out and speak out against this matter.”
In addition, the CPA is also concerned for the safety of the children.
Also several residents of the community have come out in condemnation of the act saying that many of them had confidence in the Imam but for a while rumours have been circulating.
“Long we hearing this thing but we never had solid evidence and when people come forward… two days after, the big ones hold a meeting and the next thing the family change their story.”
Meanwhile, the man who is also a teacher at a popular Muslim School, was late yesterday released on $150,000 station bail.
