Press Release 10.29.2020 - For Immediate Distribution
New Investigation Report Published
Windsor, Ontario, Canada (October 29, 2020) - 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 third Investigation Report on Windsor-area imam and Tahfeeth teacher, Mohamed Ali Mohamed Egeesa, known in his community as "Sheikh Abo Ras."
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: INVESTIGATION REPORT
FACE Founder and Executive Director, Alia Salem, the lead investigator on this case, said in a statement:
“We are relieved to finally bring to light our findings for one of the most technically difficult investigations we’ve had to date. We cannot overstate the incredible determination and bravery we witnessed as people overcame their fears to bear witness in an effort to hold the Subject of our investigation accountable. Finally, as a person who investigates case after case of leaders who have abused their position of power, it is refreshing to encounter a leadership body like the Imams’ Council of Windsor who took such a strong and principled victim-centered stance. I look forward to the day when this type of leadership is common-place and not extraordinary.”
VIDEO: WHAT IS THE FACE PROCESS?
FACE Social Worker, Sara Bawany, the report author of this case, said in a statement:
"Working at FACE has opened my eyes to the many hidden traumas of our community. It is unfortunately impossible to eradicate abuse completely, even by clergy and community leadership; however, the phenomenal example of victim-centered leadership found in Windsor sheds light on the first of many steps to holding abusive leaders accountable. An extraordinary amount of work truly needs to be done on an individual, structural, and spiritual level in order for us to grasp the seriousness of this problem in our community spaces and to commit to keeping victims of this kind of abuse safe from further harm.”
If you need to report an instance of abuse in regard to Mohamed Ali Mohamed Egeesa “Abo Ras” or any other religious/community leader, or if you have any questions or concerns regarding this report, please submit an allegation at www.facetogether.org/report or call us at (844) 360-2489. You may also email us at info@facetogether.org.