Seminary head denies rape allegations
Mufti Shahnawaz Ahmed — the principal of Jamia Tuba Ziaul Binnat in the Pirwadhai area — has denied the allegation of torturing and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl of his seminary.
Talking to The Express Tribune, the accused claimed that the allegations against him were concocted, baseless and unfounded that aimed to tarnish his image.
He demanded that he and the student should be taken to the hospital for an immediate DNA and polygraph medical test so that a clear picture could emerge. He said that if he was found guilty in the DNA test, he would be ready to be hanged at Liaquat Bagh publicly.
The cleric also demanded the DNA tests of close cousins of the affected student. He further demanded that the chief justice form an inquiry committee under the supervision of any judge to probe the matter.
“If the allegation is proved against me, I am ready to accept any sentence and punishment,” the seminary administrator said, adding that since a week he had been facing a one-sided media trial.
The cleric lamented that his family and daughters had to undergo mental stress and agony since the allegations had been levelled against him. He maintained that he has been running the seminary for 28 years and has taught hundreds of female students.
Read Police record sought in seminary student case
“I am completely innocent and I have not seen this girl for the six months in my seminary,” he claimed, adding that the female section of the madrasa is overseen by his wife where no man was allowed to step foot.
Mufti Shahnawaz said that a female teacher of his seminary had seized an “objectionable letter” from the student and her mother had been called to take her daughter home.
The cleric said that the mother of the student pleaded that she had remarried after she was divorced and she felt it safe to keep her daughter in the seminary.
He further said that he was a religious person and an honourable citizen which could be testified by the area residents. The mufti also dismissed the allegation that he had offered any money to the victim’s family. “Hundreds of girls of this madrassa have graduated after completing their education,” he said, calling for an end to the increasing number of harassment and sexual allegations against religious figures.
He stated that his school will soon convene a meeting of administrators of all religious seminaries to make important decisions regarding false accusations against religious figures.
The administrator maintained that the judiciary and media forums will also be utilised to prove false harassment and sexual assault accusations against religious figures. “I have full confidence in all our institutions, judiciary and the police,” he said, resolving to fight the case and prove his innocence.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2021.