I heard of this story first on today’s Global TV whose reporters in their “coming up on the news at 5:30” referred to this pervert as a “religious leader’. I knew right away it couldn’t have been a Catholic priest because if it were, they wouldn’t have hesitated for a second to reveal both his name and his Christian denomination. But what I find even more disturbing is this quote from 12 year old Sajid who attends the Baitul Mukarram mosque:
““I don’t think it’s really like that, because masroor was a good man, he didn’t do anything bad.” ” “It’s not like that because back home, like in Bangladesh, you’re allowed to hit people. It’s OK.”
Updated: Scarborough imam faces 13 charges in sexual assault investigation.
Jessica Hume Aug 17, 2011 – 3:45 PM ET | Last Updated: Aug 17, 2011 3:52 PM ET
Toronto Police handout
Mohammad Masroor
An imam who worked at a Scarborough mosque has been arrested and faces 13 charges in connection with a sexual assault investigation.
Mohammad Masroor, 48, of Toronto, was apprehended August 10 for sexual offences allegedly committed between November 1, 2008 and July 28 of this year. Police have identified five alleged victims, both male and female, and are appealing to others to come forward.
Mr. Masroor worked as an imam at the Baitul Mukarram Islamic Society on Danforth Avenue between Pharmacy and Warden Avenues, where he taught Koranic studies to students. He was on leave at the time of his arrest.
The single storey brick mosque sits on a nondescript corner. Five times a day, the men and boys who are members of this congregation arrive, remove their shoes at the door and join each other in prayer. No women are allowed inside. Attendance here has risen recently as the Muslim community celebrates Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam.
On Wednesday, the usually quiet mosque was surrounded by media, seeking reaction to the news one of its imams has just been charged and faces 13 counts in relation to sex assault and threatening death. Many members are skeptical of the allegations. Continue Reading →