$1 million bond for Islamic cleric charged with sexually abusing minor

Fox 32
October 7, 2015

http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/crime/30947928-story

ELGIN, Ill. (STMW) - A nationally renowned Islamic leader accused of sexually abusing a girl who attended his Elgin school was ordered held on a $1 million bond Wednesday.

Mohammed Abdullah Saleem, 75, turned himself in to Elgin police Wednesday morning and was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a minor, according to Elgin police and the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.

The victim began attending the Institute of Islamic Education in August 2001 when she was 14, according to prosecutors. Saleem founded the school in 1989 as a full-time residential educational institution for students in 6-12.

About one month later, Saleem requested the girl visit him in his office once a week, prosecutors said. During the visits, Saleem would force the girl to sit on his lap, touch and fondle her in a sexual manner, and give her gifts, including a gold necklace and cash.

The abuse continued until September 2003, when the victim moved out of state to finish high school, prosecutors said. In December 2014 the victim disclosed details of the abuse to a witness, who contacted Elgin police, who were already investigating Saleem for similar crimes.

Judge Joseph Cataldo set bond at $1 million Wednesday at a hearing in Rolling Meadows. He is next scheduled to appear in court Oct. 29.

In February, Saleem was charged with criminal sexual abuse after a 23-year-old woman accused him of sexual misconduct while they worked together at the school. He was released on a $250,000 bond at the time. He will next appear in court on that charge on Nov. 18.

Later in February, the same woman and three former female students of the institute filed a civil lawsuit alleging they were sexually abused by Saleem as children.