An Islamic religious leader County of Fort bend was arrested Friday after he was accused of sexual assault.
Mohamed Omar Ali, 59, is charged with three cases of indecent treatment of children and in one case of sexual assault on a child.
The County Sheriff’s office Fort bend appeals to the public and will forgive other potential victims to make accusations against Mohamed Omar Ali.
Ali is a native of Somalia living in the Houston area of the County of Fort bend. Sheriff Troy Nels says that Mohamed is a well — known Imam in the Islamic community and taught throughout Texas, and traveled all over the country.
He was teaching the Koran to children. 3 January 2020 FBCSO gave him 4 arrest warrants, including on charges of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 years.
Islamic Religious Leader Arrested for Sexual Assault. Jan 3, 2020, FBCSO served 4 warrants to local Islamic Religious Leader. Mohamed Omar Ali, 59, resides in Houston area of FBC. Ali is currently in jail w/ $125,000 in bonds& immigration hold. Victims call Sgt. Howell, 281-341-4797 pic.twitter.com/f2cQqjrUfS
— FBCSO Texas (@FBCSO) January 6, 2020
Nels said that the arrest of Ali that after a month of investigation, and that the offences with which the detainee is suspected of were committed in 2013, when he arrived in the United States. The immigration service also stated that the name of Mohamed Omar Ali they have a deportation order.
Investigators said that, in their opinion, may be other victims at local and national level.
«We do know that there are other victims. Our request today is to appeal to the victims: please tell us about yourself, so we can investigate further, ‘ said Nels. On his side is an abuse of power. If your children had contact with this person please talk to them. We will ensure the anonymity and protection of all victims.»
Ali is currently in jail on bail of 125,000 USD.
Despite the fact that the Sheriff’s office called the Imam Ali, a local Islamic community group stated that he would rather «lay person who teaches the Quran».
Defender of the Muslim community Ball Gani (Shariq Ghani) said he knows Ali as a «good man», and it is difficult to believe the charges.
«Ali is not an Imam in any of our community centers in Houston,» said Ghani, wanting to clarify possible confusion regarding the status of his client, as the initial information from the authorities, in his opinion, could be misleading.
«As anyone who attends a Church, synagogue or mosque, Ali probably went to the mosque in the Houston area and may have suggested to people in the mosques their services,» said Ghani.
Ghani and investigators hope that religious or cultural differences do not interfere with other alleged victims to seek the assistance of the state police.
