Dr Farouk Musa denies sexual misconduct allegation
(FMT) – A prominent Muslim activist has come out strongly to reject sexual accusations against him, saying certain individuals as well as organisations are seeking to destroy his reputation through “blackmail and an orchestrated smear campaign” through the media.
This comes hours after he gave his statement to the police over a report lodged by a 27-year-old man some five months ago, accusing him of groping and kissing him.
Speaking to FMT, the activist, who heads a vocal Islamic group, singled out a former assistant for the accusations, adding that an online news portal which published the claims by several former staffers would also be held accountable for defamation.
“I categorically deny this malicious accusation,” he said, naming a former assistant he sued six years ago as the person behind the latest allegations of sexual assault against him.
READ MORE HERE: More speak up about alleged sexual harassment in IRF after women’s rights groups call for probe
It is understood that the man referred to had been investigated for criminal breach of trust over claims of misappropriating funds.
“I had also taken a civil suit against him in 2014 and he lost the case and was declared a bankrupt,” the activist told FMT.
Checks with the Department of Insolvency confirmed the claim that the person, whose name FMT is withholding pending a response, has been declared a bankrupt in 2017.
Meanwhile, the activist questioned how a bankrupt could become a director of an organisation.
He said the man was bent on going on the offensive because “he has nothing to lose as a bankrupt”.
He said he was also made aware of attempts to invoke a ‘MeToo’ campaign.
“That will not happen, because they are abusing the movement for their own selfish ends,” he added, referring to the movement against sexual harassment where victims come out openly with allegations of sex crimes against them by prominent persons.
‘Blackmail’
He said early this year, he was blackmailed by several individuals who wanted to take over his NGO’s leadership, a Muslim movement with a progressive stance on contemporary Islamic issues.
“They gave me an ultimatum that I should step down or they would go to town with claims that I molested the trainee doctor.”
He said the fact that the police report, lodged in February, was not followed up showed that there was no case.
“But when I didn’t step down, they went to see the police with a group of NGO lawyers recently.
“Evidently, the complainant had no case until they decided to publicise the news to pressure the police to investigate,” he added.
He said part of the campaign against him probably stemmed from his refusal to condemn French Muslim scholar Tariq Ramadan, who was charged with rape earlier this year.
This, he said, angered some activists.
“One group was angry at me for defending Tariq Ramadan, and then launched a concerted attack via Facebook on my credibility which was then accentuated by the media.
“That led the police to ask me to give a statement to them today,” he told FMT.
He said he was happy that the police decided to investigate.
“I welcome any investigation because it will be an opportunity for me to clear my name,” he said.
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DISSOCIATING MYSELF FROM ISLAMIC RENAISSANCE FRONT (IRF) AS LONG AS IT IS BEING LED BY DR FAROUK MUSA
I, hereby announced that starting from this second I have officially disassociated myself completely from Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) as long as it led by Dr Farouk Musa.
Truthfully, this announcement has been pending for too long. Since December last year (2019), I was made aware of series of allegations/complaints made against Dr Farouk Musa pertaining to Sexual Harassment from various individuals. One of such complaints was made from my very own dear friend. Since then I have met few other individuals that have somewhat similar allegations and shared to me their fair share of evidences and stories. The details left me feeling disgusted.
On the 20th February 2020, I confronted Dr Farouk Musa via email about one particular allegation (involving my friend) and all that I got was was an unsatisfactory, irresponsible, and unconvincing reply. Him simply saying that “Our iman is not constant of the angels. There is up and down” in the email is not going to cut it. His responses towards the allegations were not only unbecoming of him as the leader of an Islamic organisation, but stood at the opposite of all the good works and values preached by IRF since its inception. In the same email, I forwarded my intention to immediately resign from my position in IRF and wants nothing to do with the organisation as long as he is still the chairman.
I’ve kept my disassociation from IRF private until today. I would no longer want my name to be associated with Islamic Renaissance Front as long as it is under his leadership. IRF that I knew, one that I worked with as an official staff for years, is an organisation that promotes understandings of Islam that are progressive, democratic and respectful of the values of human rights. IRF’s discourses has always been about fighting injustices in society and protecting those who have been wronged.
These sexual harassment allegations and Dr Farouk’s failures to adequately address these allegations in a responsible, truthful manner represent the very problems that IRF trying to solve. It is based on this understanding, and the very principles preached by IRF’s seminars and programs that I’ve worked with and have benefitted a lot from, that I now refuse to associate myself with the organisation. I cannot and would not withstand the glaring hypocrisy.
Finally, to all the friends that are reading this; please know that sexual harassments/assaults are rampant in every spheres of life, including among the NGO circles. There have been many stories about persons known to us that have abused their influence and power in the organization to prey for victims. It is our responsibility to call them out and fight the culture/work environment that allows such thing to happen.
Sincerely,
Imran Rasid
