Former Imam Abdul Halim Khan Gets Life Sentence for 21 Sexual Offences

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 14

Snaresbrook Crown Court gave Abdul Halim Khan, 54, a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years for sexually assaulting seven women and girls aged as young as 12.
Jurors had convicted the former east London imam in February on 21 offences committed between 2005 and 2014, including nine rapes, five rapes of a child under 13 and other sexual assaults.
Judge Leslie Cuthbert said Khan systematically abused the power of his religious role, targeting women and girls in the Bangladeshi Muslim community and exploiting the shame they might feel about reporting abuse.
Prosecutors said he told victims they needed cleansing of jinns, claimed possession, threatened black magic or harm if they spoke out, and in one case falsely said a girl had ovarian cancer only he could cure.
Police said the case exposed how Khan weaponised faith and praised the victim-survivors' bravery, even as the court received letters of support from some relatives and community members.

Threatened with black magic, his victims were silent for years. How many more are still trapped by abuse in their communities?

When faith is used as a weapon, how can communities protect the vulnerable from their most trusted leaders?