by Shameem Shakat-Hussain

Community gives us a sense of belonging. For many Muslim families, teaching our children about Islam and the Qur’an is a responsibility we hold close to our hearts. Often, we place our trust in local masjids, imams, and religious teachers to help guide our children in faith and spirituality.

But what happens when that trust is abused?

Back in 2022, we published a blog, Turning a Blind Eye to Molvis Who Sexually Abuse, where one victim-survivor wrote:

“It is our duty as an Ummah to speak up and speak out against such sadistic and unforgivable acts of sexual violence against children.”

“For too long institutions have turned a blind eye to ‘molvis’ and leaders of our faith.”

“This is a man who my parents had blindly trusted, just because he was the ‘molvi’ — an ‘educator’ who deserved respect.”

These words remain painfully relevant today.

Last month, a former imam was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 20 years, after being convicted of multiple offences including rape, sexual assault, child rape, and assault by penetration committed between 2004 and 2015. His victims were women and girls from his own Bangladeshi community.

Abdul Halim Khan used faith and spirituality - the cornerstone for carrying out his heinous acts.  He knew his position as an imam would protect him.

This was not random. It was calculated, targeted, and deeply manipulative.

He preyed on the vulnerabilities of those within his community. He understood the shame, fear, and silence that many victims would feel, and he used this to continue his abuse for years. He knew his position as an imam would protect him. He believed his word would carry more weight than the voices of the women and children he harmed.

He reportedly told victims they were possessed by jinns or evil spirits and claimed he was “helping” them through religious healing. He threatened victims with black magic, telling them they or their families would be harmed — or even die — if they spoke out. He also justified the abuse by stating that he was possessed.

This is not faith. This is abuse hidden behind religion.

And yet, despite the fear and manipulation, someone finally spoke up. The youngest victim disclosed the abuse to a teacher at school. That disclosure changed everything. 

There is so much we, as a community, need to confront:

Do we place blind trust in imams, pirs, and religious figures simply because of their status?

Why are children or vulnerable individuals ever allowed to visit religious leaders alone?

Where are the safeguarding policies in our mosques and madrassas?

Do imams and teachers undergo enhanced DBS checks? Are there clear safeguarding procedures, accountability measures, and chaperone policies in place?

Perhaps most disturbingly, despite these convictions, the court reportedly received letters of support from family members and people within the community ahead of sentencing. Why do we continue to defend and protect men who abuse positions of trust? Why are victims so often questioned while perpetrators are shielded?

In GP surgeries and hospitals, safeguarding notices and chaperone information are visible everywhere. Why are similar protections often absent in religious spaces?

Spiritual abuse remains widely underreported and misunderstood. It is a form of emotional and psychological abuse that occurs within a religious or spiritual context. It involves coercion, manipulation, and control using faith, religious teachings, or spiritual authority.

Spiritual abuse can take many forms. It may include:

• Threatening divorce or remarriage to pressure a wife into sexual acts.
• Using religious texts to justify controlling behaviour.
• Withholding an Islamic divorce as a means of financial or emotional control.
• Telling someone they will be cursed, possessed, sinful, or spiritually harmed if they do not comply.
• Exploiting religious authority to silence victims and avoid accountability.

Faith should never be used as a tool for fear, shame, or control.

As part of a campaign in confronting and raising awareness of spiritual abuse, Muslim Women’s Network UK is asking individuals to share their understanding, and experiences on this form of abuse. This does not have to relate solely to sexual abuse. It includes any experience where religion or faith has been used to manipulate, control, isolate, or harm you.

Other related blogs and information:

• Turning a Blind Eye to Molvis Who Sexually Abuse
• Breaking the Silence on Spiritual Abuse
• Action of Spiritual Abuse