New indictment against Elgin Islamic leader accused of sex abuse

By George Houde
Chicago Tribune
March 25, 2015

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/crime/ct-elgin-imam-new-charges-met-20150325-story.html

Mohammed Abdullah Saleem, second from right, founder of the Institute of Islamic Education, enters the Cook County courthouse in Rolling Meadows for a hearing on sexual abuse and battery charges March 10, 2015.

A prominent Islamic leader who was previously arrested in the alleged sexual abuse of an employee now faces additional charges after he was formally indicted.Mohammed Abdullah Saleem, an imam who founded the Institute of Islamic Education in Elgin, appeared in court Wednesday, where an indictment was read charging him with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, criminal sexual abuse, attempted aggravated criminal sexual abuse, unlawful restraint and aggravated battery. Saleem, 75, had previously been charged with criminal sexual abuse and aggravated battery.

The older charges and Wednesday's indictment all stem from allegations that Saleem forced a 23-year-old woman to sit on his lap and fondled her last April when the woman worked for the school.

"He's a holy man, and these accusations are troubling," said Saleem's attorney, Raymond Wigell. He said he has not yet received a report on possible DNA evidence in the case. Prosecutors have said that a substance from the clothing the woman was wearing during the alleged abuse was determined to be semen, and they are running tests to determine if it matches Saleem.

Wigell noted that DNA evidence does not necessarily equate to guilt.

As during past court appearances by Saleem, of Gilberts, the courtroom was filled with two groups of supporters, one for Saleem and one for his accuser.

Habib Raja, who was there in support of the woman, said: "We simply say there should be fairness, justice and no sexual harassment in our community. … There should be no exploitation, especially in our religion. It's against Islamic principle."

Separately, four women have filed a civil lawsuit accusing Saleem of sexual assault and battery. The plaintiffs include Saleem's accuser in the criminal case; the other women say they were minors when the alleged abuse took place.