Disgraced Qari Fatih Seferagic Leads Prayers in Times Square
Like many of you, the FACE team was devastated and disappointed at the recent events in NYC, regarding Fatih Seferagic’s invitation to lead public taraweeh prayers in Times Square and local masaajid, as well as at community interfaith events. FACE released an extensive report on Fatih in August 2021, detailing allegations of rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, reckless transmission of an STD, misappropriation of funds, and more. Read the full report here.
As a team, it was the hardest report we’ve ever had to write due to the egregious descriptions of assault and the silence that had surrounded this individual’s behavior for years. It is equally devastating to see the bravery of the survivors who risked so much to come forward to share their experiences, despite the vitriol they faced online, be so blatantly disregarded and forgotten a year and a half later, and in the holy month of Ramadan no less.
In light of the disappointing reappearance of this influential person whose abusive actions are thoroughly documented, we wanted to address some questions we received and offer some suggestions.
1. Why has nothing been done legally?
It is not within FACE’s ability to take anyone to court. That is a decision that can only be made by the survivors. It is important to recognize the U.S. legal system has numerous flaws particularly when handling cases of rape and sexual assault. These cases often take several years, cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and re-traumatize survivors as they are forced to repeatedly face their abuser in court. Furthermore, only a tiny percentage of sexual assault cases ever result in any restitution or protection for survivors.
2. What is FACE going to do next?
With regard to Fatih Seferagic, FACE has completed our mandate to investigate and notify the community. While we hope to one day have the means to engage in longer-term advocacy work, it is now the community’s responsibility to use the information we have shared to take action.
“Verily, Allah the Exalted will not punish a community for the sins of a few unless they see evil appear among themselves and they are able to reject it but do not. If they do so, then Allah will punish the entire community along with the sinners.” - Source: Musnad Ahmad 17627
3. What can be done now?
The organizers of the events in New York should issue public apologies from their main platforms and share tangible steps they have taken to ensure this does not happen again, with Fatih or with any other known abuser.
If you are part of a community that invited Fatih or want to be prepared for similar situations in the future, download the FACE Community Response Toolkit on our website to organize a response.
Contact FACE to organize trainings within your local community on how to address and/or protect communities and institutions against abusive leaders.
Donate to FACE’s Ramadan fundraiser on Facebook, Instagram, or via our website, or start your own fundraiser for FACE!
Ridding our communities of abusive leaders and public personalities is an obligation we must all commit to. FACE can continue investigating and issuing dozens of reports, but it won’t matter unless the community at large uses that information to remove leaders who abuse their positions of power from our sacred spaces.
We close with this hadith:
“Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot do so, then with his tongue. If he cannot do so, then with his heart, which is the weakest level of faith.”
- Source: Sahih Muslim 49