Woman claims molest by Iraqi ulama

A well-known religious preacher from Iraq has been arrested for allegedly molesting a Penang woman. It is claimed that the preacher used his religious standing and Facebook to lure his victims.

PETALING JAYA: Police have confirmed the arrest of a well-known religious preacher from Iraq for allegedly molesting a young woman he met via social media.

Kuala Lumpur CID chief Asst Comm Rusdi Mohd Isa said the man, who is a familiar face in major religious events, was arrested last Friday after the father of his alleged victim made a police report against him.

He told mStar, The Star’s Bahasa Malaysia portal that the man – who held Malaysian permanent resident status – was remanded for five days and released on police bail on Tuesday.

The preacher is known among his followers as Pak Sheikh or Al-Habib (the loved one).

The victim, who is from Penang and in her 20s, reportedly got to know the suspect via Facebook on July 15.

On July 24, the victim travelled to Kuala Lumpur to meet the suspect.

Apparently, she wasn’t the only victim. There were others, too, whom the preacher influenced via Facebook by luring them with religious talks.

Using his persona as an ulama, and his religious appearance in robes and turbans, the suspect had been using his Al-Habib title to gain the trust of naive women.

He would first ask for their photos using the excuse that he wanted to check whether they have any physical or spiritual illness.

After about two weeks, he would then ask his potential victims to meet him at the Federal Territory Mosque, ostensibly to gain “blessings”.

After congregational prayers, he would take the women to a luxury Arab restaurant in Sri Hartamas before taking them home.

He is also fond of quoting verses from the Quran and prophetic hadith (traditions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) to influence the victim and is known to have claimed close friendship with local leaders.

He also claimed to be an expert in treating illnesses related to spirits and able to treat women facing difficulties getting pregnant to the point that they could bear children.

The latest case is being investigated under Section 354 of the Penal Code by the Sexual, Women and Child investigation Division (D11) of the Kuala Lumpur police.