I was sexually assaulted by an imam. He told me he had supernatural powers

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. I was sexually assaulted by an imam. He told me he had supernatural powers12 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleCatherine WyattBBC religious affairsBBC Warning: This article contains descriptions of sexual assault and rape, which some readers may find upsetting"Aria" was 13 years old when she was sexually assaulted by an imam, who told her he was "healing" her. A respected faith leader at a mosque in East London, Abdul Halim Khan would tell young girls and their parents they needed "curing" from "bad spirits".

After attacking them, he warned the girls that if they told anyone about the abuse, the so-called cure would be undone, they would be cursed, or that harm would come to them and their families from black magic. "I genuinely believed he had supernatural powers," says Aria, which is not her real name. She says Khan told her "something really bad would happen to me and my family" if she ever spoke about the abuse.

The Details

And she wasn't the only one. Khan abused seven women and girls over 11 years in the same way. His youngest victim was just 12.

Met PoliceAbdul Halim Khan was found guilty of sexually abusing girls as young as 12He would convince them to meet in isolated locations - such as a flat or a car. There, he would rape or sexually abuse them while pretending to be a Jinn, a supernatural spirit. Khan chose vehicles with tinted windows, gave one victim a phone so he could contact her, and encouraged another to climb out of her bedroom window to meet him.

It was Aria's mother who introduced her to Khan, after she began getting into trouble at school. She told her the imam would give her advice. When they met, Khan told her to get into his car.

What Experts Say

"That's when he touched me inappropriately," says Aria. "I had my eyes closed and he said there are going to be things that are knocking on the car window. And I did hear those knocks.

But obviously I was 13 years old, I was terrified. "Julia Quenzler/BBCKhan used his power and influence to manipulate his victims into staying silentKhan, 54, has now been given a life sentence with a minimum prison term of 20 years for the horrific attacks. His convictions include nine counts of rape as well as further counts of sexual assault and child abuse involving seven victims from the local Muslim community.

Khan carried out the attacks between 2004 and 2015, using his power and influence to manipulate his victims into staying silent. Police became aware of his offending in 2018 after his youngest victim told her school therapist about the abuse. It took another five years before he was charged.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.