Community Announcement 11.12.2019: New Report Release

For Immediate Distribution

Scottsdale, AZ (November 12, 2019) – Facing Abuse in Community Environments (FACE), an organization founded in 2017 to address allegations of abuse at the hands of religious and community leaders, has released their second public “Misconduct Report” on Phoenix-area Imam, Moataz Moftah.

The purpose of this report is to provide the Muslim community complete transparency and give notice to a pattern of behavior which, if left unattended, will continue to have dangerous ramifications for the existing communities, as well as potential future congregations and vulnerable populations.

CLICK HERE: MISCONDUCT REPORT

FACE Founder and Executive Director, Alia Salem, said in a statement:

“FACE is under no illusions with respect to how difficult, scary, and painful the process of accountability is in the face of abuse. However, our obligations as individuals, and also as a community, is first and foremost to protect the vulnerable among us from harm using all available resources. That obligation must always move us to overcome the difficulties, fear, and pain to do what is right in the path of our Creator.”

The mission of FACE is to serve as an independent first line of defense for victims in the Muslim community experiencing abuse and neglect at the hands of religious and community leaders and the institutions protecting them. This is accomplished by providing reliable and professional avenues of reporting abuse and making formal inquiries, education and resolution services to address claims.

VIDEO: WHAT IS THE FACE PROCESS?

FACE Staff Member and Social Worker, Sara Bawany, said in a statement:

“The importance of addressing these issues from a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach is a critical element to helping victims on a path towards true restorative healing and culture change within the community. When we move away from prioritizing institutional protection over victim's needs, only then will we begin to see real progress in the health and safety of our community through these myriad of struggles we are facing daily.”

If you need to report an instance of abuse with regard to Moataz Moftah or any religious/community leader, please complete a report at www.facetogether.org/report or call us at 844-360-2489.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this report, please do not hesitate to email us info@facetogether.org