Shia Imam charged with sexual assault and arrested in Canada

[King]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/Canada/toronto/toronto-Imam-sexual-assault-1.5182411

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2019/06/19/Imam-arrested-for-sexually-assaulting-woman-over-several-years/

 

 

Edited June 20, 2019 by King

[Vindemiatrix]

23 minutes ago, King said:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/Canada/toronto/toronto-Imam-sexual-assault-1.5182411

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2019/06/19/Imam-arrested-for-sexually-assaulting-woman-over-several-years/

 

 

I've been to that mosque, honestly. 

That's really shocking. 

Edited June 20, 2019 by Ali~J

[Muslim2010]

As far as the details and the authenticity of the incident and charges have not verified yet about this news, only the person may be charged and not the school of thought if he belongs to.

There are many incidents in other countries of the world like Indo Pak, Middle East etc where such incidents or alike are reported and culprits are not from the school of thought allegedly presented above.

Many evidences for the above para no 2 can be shared but Shia do not like to spread the videos of the scandals and black mailing for other schools of thoughts or their followers in the manner adopted particularly by OP.

wasalam

Edited June 20, 2019 by Muslim2010

[Ibn al-Hussain]

I am not a fan of Imam Haider at all and find him a very problematic person, but I do hope the allegations are false - especially since he is a popular speaker in the Indo-Pak community and because it is very easy to frame men in the #MeToo era. Unfortunately though, even if they are false and he is freed without conviction, his name will remain tarnished due to the media publicity for a long time to come.

Wasalam

Edited June 20, 2019 by Ibn al-Hussain

[Vindemiatrix]

7 minutes ago, Ibn al-Hussain said:

Unfortunately though, even if they are false and he is freed without conviction, his name will remain tarnished due to the media publicity for a long time to come.

More like the women accusing him will be beaten by an angry mob. 

[AmirioTheMuzzy]

http://torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/44190

Quote

he convinced her that she was possessed and he could help her 

[King]

A few things.  Of course nothing is proven in court yet, but generally speaking for things to evolve to charges and arrests means it is a pretty serious situation.  It is also important to get such news out there due the possibility of multiple victims.

Lastly, regardless of whether there is any truth to these allegations, it should still serve as a reminder that religious leaders/representatives that communities put on a pedestal are still normal people.  The potential for abuse of authority is enormous.  Proper checks and balances need to be in place and you shouldn't just believe your child/spouse or other dependents are always safe with esteemed figures in our communities.

Edited June 20, 2019 by King

[Muslim2010]

48 minutes ago, King said:

A few things.  Of course nothing is proven in court yet, but generally speaking for things to evolve to charges and arrests means it is a pretty serious situation.  It is also important to get such news out there due the possibility of multiple victims.

Do you find any particular reason to just share the video of the person  when even no news is mentioning the alleged one as Shia? Or it is necessary to blame the school of thought as per OP?

It is an exaggeration of the facts / allegations before the final investigation or any court decision etc.

Edited June 20, 2019 by Muslim2010

[King]

7 minutes ago, Muslim2010 said:

Do you find any particular reason to just share the video of the person  when even no news is mentioning the alleged one as Shia? Is it not an exaggeration of the facts before the final allegations or any court decision etc?

How is it an exaggeration of facts if it is fact? He is Shia and he was arrested, the media doesn't care because to them all Muslims are the same.  Also, what are final allegations? Allegations are allegations they are not final or not final. He is arrested and facing charges, that is pretty serious.  No one has mentioned he is guilty, but police in Canada don't just arrest people facing charges willy nilly.  

[forte]

One of the charges is threatening her life which is also very serious.  I agree that one should not be tried in the media but also, for charges to actually be laid in Canada they evidence would have to be very solid. I have worked in cases where it is seems obvious that there is an abuse situation and there is a disclosure made but one person's testimony is not enough as it comes to he-said she-said situation. The prosecutor needs solid evidence.  Probably recorded communications of some kind.  It is way too late to try and hide this.  CBC is not the National Enquirer and does not post stuff with which they could be charged with liable.. If he is guilty of this, there are probably other victims and they should not be discouraged from coming forward with the thought of protecting the greater good of the community as it is very much doing the opposite. It is really hard to come forward for victims as they have to go through lots of disbelief and personal attacks.  If he is innocent, let him be cleared and not left as a memory of someone running for the airport.

[Qa'im]

If it is true, then he deserves to have the book thrown at him. But it is a bit peculiar that the alleged assault has been going on at her home for several years. There is definitely more to this story than we currently know, so we will have to watch it unfold.

This would be the second time this week that an “exorcist” is caught taking advantage of others. Very shady people.

[Muslim2010]

7 minutes ago, King said:

How is it an exaggeration of facts if it is fact? He is Shia and he was arrested, the media doesn't care because to them all Muslims are the same. 

OP mentions two  links of news not a single one mentions he is Shia but mention him as Imam with name,

But you are presenting one video attributed with his name and calling him as Shia. so you are found exaggerating the facts and making blame on particularity to Shia shcool of thought. It is a proven exaggeration.

Allegation are proven or not the matter to be resolved by law procedure no one doubt it it.

Edited June 20, 2019 by Muslim2010

[King]

Message being shared on whatsapp:

بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّـهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ
اور اللہ کی ر سّی کو مضبوطی سے پکڑے رہو اور آپس میں تفرقہ نہ پیدا کرو 

Hold Fast, All Together, to Allah’s Rope, And Do Not Be Divided

Salam Un Alailkum WRWB......

As we all are aware of the painful news & allegations on Moulana Imam Haider, its the time to be together & act with utmost sensibility.

Anti Religion and anti Islam elements are always in action to divide the believers, so as media industry.

I'd request to entire Shia Community to not to fall in the traps of enemies & stay united. 

ہو حلقۂ یاراں تو بریشم کی طرح نرم
رزمِ حق و باطل ہو تو فولاد ہے مومن

This is a difficult time & we can not afford to be divided on this issue. 

Most sincere prayers of entire community are with Moulana Imam Haider to get Him out of these unbelievable accusations.

By the Grace of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى), Canadian Judicial system would eventually find out the truth soon & Moulana would be out of this difficult time.

Please pray for the respectful end of current hardships on our community.

Was-Salam

@Muslim2010 

Okay dude, whatever floats your boat.

Edited June 20, 2019 by King

[Muslim2010]

3 hours ago, Muslim2010 said:

OP mentions two  links of news not a single one mentions he is Shia but mention him as Imam with name,

But you are presenting one video attributed with his name and calling him as Shia. so you are found exaggerating the facts and making blame on particularity to Shia shcool of thought. It is a proven exaggeration.

Allegation are proven or not the matter to be resolved by law procedure no one doubt it it.

[forte]

6 minutes ago, Muslim2010 said:

Op mentions two  links of news not a single one mentions he is Shia but mention him as Imam with name,

But you are presenting one video attributed with his name and calling him as Shia. so you are found exaggerating the facts and making blame on particularity to Shia shcool of thought. It is a proven exaggeration.

I disagree.  It is important for the Shia community to know about this and not to hide it, in case there are people out there who have been afraid to come forward and need help.  The OP is posting this on a Shia forum not on a general forum.  

Edited June 20, 2019 by forte

[Muslim2010]

Just now, forte said:

I disagree.  I think it is important for the Shia community to know about this and not to hide it, in case there are people out there who have been afraid to come forward and need help.  

You are certainly permitted if you intend to keep the eyes closed from the news material mentioned at the links and blaming a school of thought instead of a person makes you happy.

[forte]

Just now, Muslim2010 said:

You are certainly permitted if you intend to keep the eyes closed from the news material mentioned at the links and blaming a school of thought instead of a person makes you happy.

There was no blaming of a school of thought.  don’t know how you come up with this.

[Muslim2010]

1 minute ago, forte said:

There was no blaming of a school of thought.  don’t know how you come up with this.

Have you read the news material provided at the links? I strongly doubt about it it only mentions the person name and as Imam. Do you see any thing more?

[LeftCoastMom]

Listen to @forte  and King on this. Trust me. Look at my religion. 

[Muhammed Ali]

1 hour ago, Ibn al-Hussain said:

I am not a fan of Imam Haider at all and find him a very problematic person, but I do hope the allegations are false - especially since he is a popular speaker in the Indo-Pak community and because it is very easy to frame men in the #MeToo era. Unfortunately though, even if they are false and he is freed without conviction, his name will remain tarnished due to the media publicity for a long time to come.

Wasalam

Wa alaykumu salaam

Religious leaders should avoid all situations which could lead to allegations. E.g. they should not meet women in any private places. 

[LeftCoastMom]

^ I was wondering if this was normal for an Imam to do. Wouldn't seem so.

[Vindemiatrix]

2 hours ago, King said:

Proper checks and balances need to be in place and you shouldn't just believe your child/spouse or other dependents are always safe with esteemed figures in our communities.

Advise then. I've seen that Maulana in the flesh in real life in my mosque and never in a million years would I think that he would do [that]. 

Who knows anymore? Should children be kept away from all people of power, religious figures or not? 

Edited June 20, 2019 by Ali~J

[OrthodoxTruth]

We are all fallible, that’s why we do taqlid to maraji’ on fiqh issues, and not a random ulama like the man above. Black amamah also doesn’t safeguard one from weaknesses, something that many especially in the Indo-Pak communities, forget. If the charges will be proven, that alim should be judged accordingly as per Canadian laws. He is lucky he doesn’t live in a stare where sharia law governs, so will be spared the capital punishment.

Edited June 20, 2019 by OrthodoxTruth

[King]

44 minutes ago, Ali~J said:

Advise then. I've seen that Maulana in the flesh in real life in my mosque and never in a million years would I think that he would do [that]. 

Who knows anymore? Should we keep children away from all people of power, religious figures or not? 

Just exercise common sense.  Do not leave women, children and dependents alone unsupervised with people you don't know really well.  As far as the religious institutions are concerned they should have similar rules in place.  For example, there should be at least a parent present during religious programs for kids.  As Muhammad Ali said, religious authorities should not be alone with vulnerable individuals for both party's interests.  There are individuals in the community who do not have families and special care should be taken to make sure they are safe when dealing with representatives of religious establishments.

Edited June 20, 2019 by King

[Abu Nur]

47 minutes ago, Ali~J said:

Advise then. I've seen that Maulana in the flesh in real life in my mosque and never in a million years would I think that he would do [that]. 

Who knows anymore? Should children be kept away from all people of power, religious figures or not? 

You could not because it is impossible to make such a judgement from lack of proof. This case is now different because there is claim to such a proof and we need to wait for of while to know the certainty. Saying that he is innocent without proof does not clean his image. We need to be very open in this case because if we found it is truth, then we should be the first people to condemn him. The worst people are the corrupted Scholars.

Edited June 20, 2019 by Abu Nur

[Ibn Al-Shahid]

I'm not taking sides here but does the article mention why it took 4 years for the woman to come forward?

[ShiaChat Mod]

Some off-topic posts have been removed. This is a serious topic and silly images are not allowed. 

BTW. Imam Haider name was mentioned in this thread above. The second link in the OP says the man who was arrested is named Imam Syed Zaidi. 

[TryHard]

Allah says 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَن تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًا بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَادِمِينَ

O you who believe! if an evil-doer comes to you with a report, look carefully into it, lest you harm a people in ignorance, then be sorry for what you have done.

not saying it’s impossible this story is true it could be. But I’m against jumping quickly to conclusions. I hope it is not true. Especially parts about possessions I don’t believe that stuff is true.

[forte]

1 hour ago, Ibn Al-Shahid said:

I'm not taking sides here but does the article mention why it took 4 years for the woman to come forward?

The police report states that she was threatened.   http://torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/44190 

[Guest Concerned]

Any updates on this  news ??

[Guest Sadiq]

When someone is accused of a crime, their name and reputation can be dragged through the mud. Even if the charges are eventually dropped or the person is acquitted, the damage to their reputation may already have been done.

The internet can make this problem even worse. Once something is posted online, it can be very difficult to remove it completely. This means that even if the charges against someone are proved false, the false information may still be visible online.

This can have a devastating impact on the person's reputation. They may be unable to find a job, they may lose friends and family, and they may even be subjected to harassment and threats.

That's why it's so important to remove false charges from the internet. This is not only the right thing to do, but it's also essential for protecting the reputation of an innocent person.

[Guest Sadiq]

On 9/1/2019 at 7:13 AM, Guest Concerned said:

Any updates on this  news ??

The charges have been dropped and nothing was proved in the court.