A London imam has been found guilty of child sexual abuse after he claimed that he possessed “supernatural powers.”
54-year-old Abdul Halim Khan abused multiple women and girls between 2004 and 2015 while serving in East London. Some victims were as young as 12 years old.
On Friday, Khan was convicted of nine counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault. He was also convicted of two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, five counts of rape of a child under 13, and one count of assault by penetration.
Prosecutors said Khan would persuade victims to meet him at hidden locations, where he would then abuse them. He claimed to be possessed or disguised as a supernatural spirit known as a jinn, and pressured victims to remain silent out of fear they would be harmed by “black magic.” The abuse only came to light when his youngest victim reported him to a teacher at school in 2018.
Khan denied the allegations, claiming they were part of a conspiracy. He was charged in March 2023.
According to Sky News, a victim spoke after the verdict, saying the abuse had “a profound and lasting impact.” She said the trauma resulted in her having "lived with shame, fear and confusion that were not mine to carry. The loss of trust, in people, in systems, and at times in myself, shaped much of my adult life.”
"I hope this outcome acknowledges not only the abuse itself, but the deep and lasting harm it causes,” she added.
Khan is scheduled to be sentenced for his crimes next month.
