DPM: Under Islamic Law, Marriage of Child Bride in Kelantan Still Valid
New Age Islam News Bureau
11
Jul 2018
Nurul is currrently pursuing a Bachelor of Social Science with a Major in Psychology and a Minor in Social Policy at University of Waikato. — Pictures by Ahmad Zamzahuri
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• Woman Divorced, Forced To Leave Home over Burnt Chapatti
• Malaysian-Born Miss Universe Hopeful Paves the Way for Malay Muslim Women in Hijab
• Nigeria: Hijab Controversy - Amasa Firdaus, Others Called to Bar
• Court Denies Muslim Woman Maintenance under Hindu Law
• Saudi Arabia Deports Man for Wearing Shorts In Front Of Saudi Women
• Muslim Women’s Rights Are Also Women’s Rights
• Fatima Nasser Accused of Spying For Bettering Role of Libyan Woman
• Serial Groper in Court for Attacking Women in Dubai
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/dpm-under-islamic-law-marriage/d/115799
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DPM: Under Islamic Law, Marriage of Child Bride in Kelantan Still Valid
10 July 2018
PUTRAJAYA, July 10 ― The marriage between the 41-year-old rubber dealer and the 11-year-old Thai national remains valid under Islam even after the man was fined RM1,800 by the Gua Musang Shariah Subordinate Court.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said Putrajaya is powerless to nullify the marriage because Kelantanese Islamic laws allow children under 16 to get married with the permission of a Shariah Court judge.
“Legally it is not valid but under Islamic laws it is,” Dr Wan Azizah, who is also minister of women, family and community development, told reporters here.
Che Mohd Karim Che Hamid was fined for two charges of unauthorised marriage and unapproved polygamy in relation to the case, which has sparked nationwide uproar.
A report by Berita Harian published yesterday said Gua Musang Shariah Subordinate Court judge Surbaineey Hussain imposed a fine of RM900 on for each of the two charges. The man pleaded guilty to both.
The 41-year-old is now required to register his marriage in Kelantan to have it validated, but will have to seek permission from a Shariah Court judge for approval.
Dr Wan Azizah on Sunday said the authorities are “closely” monitoring the case amid ongoing investigation, and today said the government is “working” with the National Fatwa Council to push the age limit for marriage to 18.
“We will engage them and try to have them push the age limit for marriage to 18,” she said in response to press queries on whether or not the new administration plans to table anti-child marriage laws.
Legal observers and child rights groups said the controversy surrounding child marriages highlights the complicated nature of a federalised Islamic legal system, where each state is governed by its respective regulations pertaining to Islam.
At the federal level, authorities are unable to act on the 41-year-old or cancel the marriage because he has not violated any federal laws.
The man wedded the girl in Southern Thailand.
Wan Azizah today said the RM1,800 fine on the rubber dealer was a “slap in the wrist”, but at the same time expressed hope that the penalty could be translated as the Court’s disapproval of the marriage.
“I hope with the penalty the court would hold him on to it and explain,” the deputy prime minister said, referring to the requirement for a Shariah Court judge to write in clear terms the reasons for approving an under-aged marriage.
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1650740/dpm-under-islamic-law-marriage-of-child-bride-in-kelantan-still-valid
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Woman Divorced, Forced To Leave Home over Burnt Chapatti
July 9, 2018
The woman, who got married last year, also alleged that her husband had inflicted burn injuries on her.
A woman has complained to the police that she was given triple talaq and forced to leave her husband's house because the chapati she had prepared got burnt. The incident took place in Pahretha village of Mahoba district in Uttar Pradesh and it came to light after the 24-year-old woman registered a complaint with the police on Sunday, senior police officer Banshraj Yadav said. On the basis of her complaint, a case of domestic violence will be registered the husband, he said. The woman, who got married last year, also alleged that her husband had inflicted burn injuries on her with cigarettes three days before 'divorcing' her by way of triple talaq, the police said.
The Supreme Court had on August 22 last year struck down triple talaq, calling the practice unconstitutional and in violation of Article 14 of the Constitution, which provides for equality before the law.
The "triple talaq" bill has not been cleared by the Rajya Sabha yet.
The top court's verdict vindicates the stand of the government, which had said "triple talaq" violates fundamental rights of women. Several Muslim women who have been divorced because of it, including on Skype and on WhatsApp, had appealed to the top court to end the practice.
Three of the five judges hearing the case said it is unconstitutional; the other two wanted it banned for six months till the government introduces new legislation. The majority opinion held that "triple talaq" "is not integral to religious practice and violates constitutional morality".
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/india/woman-divorced-forced-to-leave-home-over-burnt-chapati
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Malaysian-Born Miss Universe Hopeful Paves the Way for Malay Muslim Women in Hijab
11 July 2018
PETALING JAYA, July 11 — It may be a move that may not go down well among some conservatives, but Nurul Zuriantie Shamsul hopes more Muslim women will participate in beauty pageants in the future.
The 20-year-old who is currently taking her Bachelor of Social Science with a Major in Psychology and a Minor in Social Policy at the University of Waikato, made headlines last month when she secured her position as a Top 20 finalist of Miss Universe New Zealand.
She is the first Muslim contestant in hijab in the history of the New Zealand competition and only the second in the history of the Miss Universe competition.
Malaysian-born, Nurul, who was born in Bandar Baru Ampang and moved to New Zealand with her family when she was just five. Her father who sought greener pastures, became a halal slaughterman at Silver Fern Farms which supplies free-range lamb, beef and venison cuts in New Zealand.
Speaking to Malay Mail in a recent interview in Kuala Lumpur on a short trip “home”, Nurul said she was inspired by Somali-American, Halima Aden, who became the first Muslim to wear a hijab and burkini in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant last year.
In the same year, Muna Jama competed in the Miss Universe Great Britain competition, choosing to wear a kaftan during the swimsuit section of the competition.
“Muna messaged me and put my story on her Instagram. That was amazing as I look up to her for what she has accomplished.
“Both Halima and Muna paved the way for Muslim girls to enter the Miss Universe competition. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.”
And with Nurul making it three to reach this stage of the competition, her message to Malay-Muslim women in hijabs is to be brave and compete.
“To Muslim women out there, if the three of us could do it, you could do it too.”
While it may seem shallow for some to compete in a beauty pageant, Nurul said there needs to be more motivation than mere vanity.
“For me, Miss Universe is so much more than just about it being all about me. I entered for all Muslim girls out there so that they could fit within the ideas of what beauty really is.
“It’s so much more than physical beauty. It’s about having respect for yourself and others.”
Her father was initially angry over her participation when he found out, after she made the Top 20 cut.
“I told my mother when I was in the Top 50 but I refrained from telling my father,” she said.
“When my father knew, he was angry with my decision and thought that I would be wearing a swimsuit and removing my hijab during the competition.
“But I told him that I don’t need to wear swimsuits for the competition. I even showed him an email from the organisers stating that I didn’t need to wear anything revealing.”
Instead of the customary swimsuit parade, the organisers of Miss Universe New Zealand held a calendar shoot for contestants in swimwear, and Nurul wore modest Muslim swimwear from the organisers.
“People in New Zealand accept diversity,” she said. “I have never encountered any problems, disturbances or difficulties while wearing the hijab.”
“I really hope my participation in Miss Universe will open doors in the future for more Muslim Malay women in hijabs,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nurul hopes Malaysians will vote for her in the Miss Universe New Zealand competition as public votes makes up for 50 per cent of the overall score leading up to the grand finale at Auckland’s Sky City on August 4.
You can vote for Nurul via this link: www.iticket.co.nz/events/2018/aug/nurul-shamsul.
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1651180/malaysian-born-miss-universe-hopeful-paves-the-way-for-malay-muslim-women-i
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Nigeria: Hijab Controversy - Amasa Firdaus, Others Called to Bar
10 JULY 2018
The Nigerian Law School on Tuesday said 1,550 students were successful after the April 2018 Bar final examinations while their success rate is put at 68.6 per cent.
The school also called to the Bar 12 other graduates from the previous 2018 final examinations.
Among the 12 graduates is Firdausa Amasa, the law graduate who challenged the restriction on the use of hijab during call-to-bar ceremonies.
It will be recalled that Ms Amasa was in December denied entry into the hall for the ceremony which took place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, for refusing to remove her hijab.
The recent development has attracted commendations and jubilation from Islamic organisations, among which is the Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit.
In a statement by its Amir (President), Saheed Ashafa, the MSSN Lagos said that allowing Ms Amasa to be called to the bar would encourage Muslim females to be dedicated to their academics.
He said: "This is a welcome development. We hope that as time goes on, we will get something better. The use of hijab is not only constitutional but also mandatory for all Muslim females.
"The law school has shown enough maturity in this matter by calling Amasa to bar with her hijab. Not allowing her would have been a breach of her right, an injustice and would send a bad signal that the justice house is ill. It will also be counterproductive to the agenda of the federal government to encourage girl-child education. The victory of Amasa would encourage other females to pursue any course of their choice without of being victimised.
"We urge other institutions having cases to determine relating to hijab to follow this step, it is practical enough. The hijab is not a harmful outfit. It is mandatory for every female Muslim. Denying it means the denial of the Muslim females of their fundamental human right, which is against the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended)."
He subsequently said that Ms Amasa deserved to be celebrated, adding that she demonstrated a heroic act by fighting for the freedom of other Muslims.
The Director-General (DG) of the school, Isa Ciroma, said the performance of the graduands was justified.
The director-general said that the members of staff of the school had closely monitored the aspiring lawyer during their training and their records, perused by the screening committee and found them worthy to be called to the Bar.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Bashir Dalhatu, admonished the graduands to abide by the rules and provisions of the profession, adding that it law sacrosanct and required strict adherence at all times.
"The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee has been carrying out its mandate in a just and fair manner without giving room for compromise, affection or ill-will," he added.
https://allafrica.com/stories/201807110014.html
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Court Denies Muslim Woman Maintenance under Hindu Law
Jul 11, 2018
JABALPUR/BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh high court has ruled that maintenance under Hindu Marriage Act is substantive right of a wife but under Muslim law, a woman has the right to sue her husband for maintenance only if he neglects or refuses to maintain her without any lawful cause.
With this, Justice Vandana Kasrekar overturned the order of a lower court, which had allowed application of a Muslim woman for interim maintenance under Section 24 of Hindu Marriage Act.
Kaneez Hasan had filed the application for interim maintenance in the court of civil judge, Sirmaur (Rewa district), when the judge was hearing her husband’s petition for restitution of conjugal rights since she was living separately. Kaneez sought maintenance and legal expenses under section 24 of Hindu Marriage Act. The trial court ordered the husband to pay Rs 2,500 a month as maintenance though his counsel argued that the duo is governed by Muslim Law and maintenance can’t be granted under Hindu Marriage Act. The husband challenged it in high court. Kaneez’s counsel argued that the trial court’s order was “proper and just” as it is empowered under Section 151 CrPC to grant such relief. After hearing arguments, the judge said: “Both the parties in the case are Muslims. Under Muslim law, there is no provision for awarding maintenance pendente lite (during pendency of case), it’s only provided under Hindu Marriage Act. However, if the wife wants interim maintenance, she is entitled to file an application under Section 125 of CrPC before a family court.”
Referring to a Bombay high court order in the case of Shabbir Ahamed Sheikh, the judge said, the right to sue for maintenance is given to the wife under Muslim law only if her husband neglects her or refuses to maintain her, while in Hindu Marriage Act, it’s the “substantive right of a woman, which her status as wife automatically bestows on her”.
Referring to Kaneez’s case, the judge said that her husband had filed a case for restitution of conjugal rights because he wished to live with his wife. Though she says she was ill-treated by her husband and driven out of the house, she will have to establish it in court to get a maintenance decree and not under Hindu Marriage Act or Section 151 CrPC, Justice Kasrekar said.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/muslim-woman-cant-seek-maintenance-under-hindu-marriage-act-hc/articleshow/64938459.cms
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Saudi Arabia Deports Man for Wearing Shorts In Front Of Saudi Women
JULY 11, 2018
RIYADH: The authorities in Saudi Arabia has deported a man for appearing in shorts in the women’s room of a fitness club.
According to the Arab media, the government took notice when a picture of a man in shorts standing in front of a woman went viral on social media.
The person was not only deported, but the government also ordered to shut down the club temporarily.
It can be seen in the picture that a man in shorts is standing while a veiled woman is sitting behind him.
Another woman clicked the picture and later posted it on Twitter which then went viral.
The Saudi Ministry of Labour and Social Development took notice of the matter which resulted in the deportation of the person wearing the shorts.
https://dailytimes.com.pk/266017/saudi-arabia-deports-man-for-wearing-shorts-in-front-of-saudi-women/
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Muslim Women’s Rights Are Also Women’s Rights
11 July 2018
Recently, for the first time, the women’s rights committee of the European Parliament discussed the situation of Muslim women in Europe, including dress restrictions and how recent developments have undermined women’s rights. A collective of more than 100 Muslim women are responding by calling for a real European model of inclusion and pluralism that ensures everyone can have access to employment and education and that doesn’t place an extra burden on women.
According to a recent report by the Open Society Justice Initiative, nearly one in three EU member states have placed legal restrictions on Muslim women’s dress at either local or national level. In addition, bans on headscarves and other Muslim women’s dress by both businesses and public institutions have been increasingly reported in nearly half of the EU countries. This has resulted in preventing these women from accessing jobs. How can this be seriously reconciled with EU principles of non-discrimination and gender equality?
However, there is hope for an inclusive Europe as in most countries, proposals for legal bans have been rejected either by legislators or by the courts. This means that there are many people fighting back against attempts to stigmatise and discriminate against Muslim women, including strong civil society campaigns.
This is all the more important as analysis shows that many of these bans on religious dress, although framed as though they apply to all religious groups equally, in fact clearly and visibly target Muslim women. Indeed, restrictions are often adopted after heated debates on Muslim women’s dress and the presence of Muslims in Europe. The ‘neutrality’ argument is used frequently only as an attempt to legally discriminate against Muslim women. In addition, many far-right parties are increasingly pushing for these bans, using Islamophobic discourses.
While neutrality remains a key principle for our societies, we cannot disconnect its current usage and restrictive policies from the context of generalised suspicion against Muslims, the disproportionate impact of these restrictions on women and the structural dimension of exclusion which has an impact on other areas of life and on how society perceives Muslim women.
It is crucial to be politically bold and embrace diversity by ensuring that all can contribute to our societies with their multiple identities. Inclusive and positive approaches need to be chosen over exclusion and limitations on fundamental rights. This will be a powerful way to counter the most xenophobic parties gaining power in several European countries.
There are already many positive examples of both private and public employers that have made the choice of inclusion and that are increasingly influencing policy and legal developments in different EU countries. We hope countries and private entities which have adopted a restrictive approach will now follow suit.
EU member states should assess the specific effects of rules on religious dress in public and private institutions on Muslim women. They should also ensure that practices and policies promote fully inclusive workplaces, places of education and public spaces, including by rejecting any new proposals to ban religious clothing in employment and institutions. Why has it been so hard so far to choose inclusion over exclusion in support of women’s emancipation?
In the face of the worrying situation of exclusion targeting a specific group of women in Europe, the European Parliament’s discussion supports the broader feminist solidarity with Muslim women that is gaining ground in Europe. At a time when Muslim women are also victims of violent sexist and racist attacks, we need to acknowledge that the structural discrimination they experience is feeding into racism and sexism.
Signatories:
1. Julie Pascoët, European Network against Racism
2. Lila Charef, Collective against Islamophobia in France
3. Chafika Attalai, Collective against Islamophobia in Belgium
4. Rokhaya Diallo (France)
5. Arzu Merali, Islamic Human Rights Commission
6. Marianne Vorthoren, Stichting Platform Islamitische Organisaties Rijnmond (Netherlands)
7. Ikrame Faris, Stichting Platform Islamitische Organisaties Rijnmond (Netherlands)
8. Siham Harcha, Stichting Platform Islamitische Organisaties Rijnmond (Netherlands)
9. Rhariba Tlaqui, Stichting Platform Islamitische Organisaties Rijnmond (Netherlands)
10. Berna Toprak
11. Kahina Rabahi, European Network of Religion and Belief
12. Layla Azzouzi, Collective against Islamophobia in Belgium
13. Esmaa Alariachi, Al Nisa (Netherlands)
14. Saida Derrazi, Emcemo and Collective against Islamophobia and Discrimination (Netherlands)
15. Nawal Mustafa
16. Nadia Khedachi, Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations
17. Hajar El Jahidi, European Forum of Muslim Women
18. Hande Taner, Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations
19. Ndella Paye
20. Ibtissam Abaaziz, Stichting Meld Islamofobie (Netherlands)
21. Hiba Latreche, Etudiants Musulmans de France
22. Hassiba Kechiche, Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations
23. Camilya Othmani
24. Dr. Lara-Zuzan Golesorkhi, With or without
25. Nora Akachar
26. Esra Farag-Nous, Women United
27. Olga Vos
28. Nesrine Tanane, The Beautyness
29. Loubna Bouzaidi
30. Saloua Assegaf
31. Sandra Doevendans, Hollandse Liedfe (Netherlands)
32. Rahma Esther Bavelaar, Stichting Meld Islamofobie (Netherlands)
33. Jamila Faloun
34. Jennifer Nowe, Collectif Les Cannelles (Belgium)
35. Ihsane Haouach, Collectif Les Cannelles (Belgium)
36. Ibtissam Mossaoui
37. Najoua Admi
38. Horia El Ghanouti, Al Nisa (Netherlands)
39. Angela Alaidrus, Al Nisa (Netherlands)
40. Hanane Idlamine, Collectif Les Cannelles (Belgium)
41. Ibtissa El Adlouni
42. Sandra Iman Pertek, European Forum of Muslim Women
43. Ouafa Lakhal, European Forum of Muslim Women
44. Mahinur Ozdemir, Collectif Les Cannelles (Belgium)
45. Houraye Sakho
46. Kim Lecoyer, Karamah EU
47. Fadoua Falloun
48. Mirjam Laafou
49. Nadia Aknouch
50. Fatima Akchar
51. Fatin Kichouhi
52. Rabiaa El Ousrouti
53. Jasmina Faloun
54. Sara Kichouhi
55. Imane Kichouhi
56. Manaar Faloun
57. Soundous Oulkadi
58. Nermin Abdellatief
59. Samira Bettah
60. Hind Shouli
61. Meredith Hoogwoud
62. F.Z Achelhi
63. Jamila El Arkoubi
64. Gizlan Zariohi
65. Mariam Amzaiab, Stichting Platform Islamitische Organisaties Rijnmond (Netherlands)
66. Mehtap Konuksever
67. Karima Aberkan
68. Soumaya Aanzi, Hijab Sensation
69. Joany Gourari Dahlmans, Muslima Matters
70. Dionne Abdoelhafiezkhan, IZI Solutions
71. Alaa Al Khalili
72. Aziza Friguech
73. Dalila Elouarti
74. Zainab Marrakchi, Muslimska Kvinnoföreningen (Sweden) and European Forum of Muslim Women
75. Naziha Bettah
76. Belkaj Najat
77. Suzan Affara
78. Mariam Zarioh
79. Rebecca Duqueh, Collectif Les Cannelles (Belgium)
80. Sarah Izat
81. Hanane Abouellotfi
82. Fatiha Azzarhouni
83. Fatiha Azzerhouni, Universiteit Leiden (Netherlands)
84. Rachel Johns
85. Devika Partiman, Stem op een vrouw
86. Nadia Es Saghouani
87. Oujdane Ibn Lkassem
88. Saida Ait Haddou Ali
89. Houda Riffi Acharki
90. Mariam Annali
91. Samira El Mhassani
92. Nadia El Boutayebi
93. Malika Hamidi
94. Sakina Ghani, Resisters
95. Hanan Amer, Amal Women Association Ireland
96. Nor Nasib, Amal Women Association Ireland
97. Najet Halfaoui, Amal Women Association Ireland
98. Amel Yacef, Amal Women Association Ireland
99. Kate O’Connel, Amal Women Association Ireland
100. Bayane Ahmadi
101. Malia Bouattia, Committee Justice and Liberties (France)
102. Maz Saleem, Stand up to Trump
103. Zara Sultana, MEND (United Kingdom)
104. Nafisa Bakkar, Amaliah
105. Selina Bakkar, Amaliah
https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/collective-of-muslim-women-from-across-europe/muslim-women-s-rights-are-also-wome
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Fatima Nasser Accused of Spying For Bettering Role of Libyan Woman
July 11th, 2018
Fatima Nasser’s new business had barely got off the ground when she was accused of being a foreign spy for giving women employment opportunities in Libya, her war-torn home country.
The accusation was a measure of the opposition working women face in the conservative Muslim country, which has been in turmoil since a NATO-backed revolt toppled long-time leader Muammar Qaddafi in 2011.
Just one in four Libyan women is employed, according to World Bank data — a situation Nasser, 21, hopes to change with a new food delivery app that allows them to earn money from their own kitchens.
“I’m just doing something to help women that I know deserve better. They need opportunities, just like males,” Yasser told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
The app, Yummy, connects women who cook at home with customers wanting to order food, in much the same way as Uber connects private drivers with would-be passengers.
It acts as a conduit, offering anonymity options for the cooks, and allows women to take food orders from men without having to speak to them.
“You have a society that has been closed for 100 years, you can’t just open a communication gate between two genders that were not supposed to talk to each other unless they were married to do business,” said Nasser.
She now has 300 cooks ready to start work, having trialled the service successfully with 20 in the southern Libyan city of Sabha — among them 26-year-old Ekhlas Ekrim.
Ekrim has been cooking and selling her food on Yummy for four months in Sabha, where a lack of security and ongoing fighting between rival armed groups have prevented her from going out to work to earn much-needed cash.
“Here they won’t accept that women work. Here your father or brother is responsible to give you money and everything that you need as a woman in the house,” said Ekrim, who lives with her parents, two brothers and two sisters, via WhatsApp.
“Working with Yummy is wonderful and has made things a lot easier. The work itself is not hard, society is.”
Oil-rich Libya was once one of the wealthiest countries in the Middle East, but its economy has been crippled by conflict and political division.
Security in many parts of the country is poor and the protracted conflict has meant more women having to earn a living as men go off to fight, says development organization MEDA, which teaches business skills to women in Libya.
“Culturally it’s maybe not as appropriate for women to work outside the house. An app like that could circumnavigate some of those issues,” said MEDA director Adam Bramm.
Last year Yummy was one of three winners of the nationwide Enjazi competition, which aims to encourage entrepreneurship to help diversify Libya’s oil-dependent economy.
Nasser won business training and advice from the MIT Enterprise Forum of the Pan Arab Region and Tatweer Research, which support entrepreneurship in the region.
The prize included a trip to Britain to meet and learn from successful entrepreneurs.
“If a woman started a start-up (in Libya) she would not have the same encouragement and support that her brother had,” she said.
“But hopefully this will change. People are starting to believe in females more and more now.”
https://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/fatima-nasser-accused-spying-bettering-role-libyan-woman-1157640
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Serial Groper in Court for Attacking Women in Dubai
July 10, 2018
Dubai: A special team from Dubai Police’s Deer Balak [Take Care] security programme helped a receptionist in identifying a worker, who has been accused of groping her at Downtown Dubai.
The 20-year-old French receptionist was said to have left a coffee shop at 11pm and as she was walking back to her nearby home, a 22-year-old Pakistani worker, came from behind her and groped her in May.
When the Frenchwoman resisted the worker and tried to prevent him from groping her further, according to records, the 22-year-old tried to pull her towards a bushy spot but she released herself and escaped.
Shortly after reporting the matter to Dubai Police, a special team from the Deer Balak security programme was formed and assisted the girl in searching for the assailant to have him apprehended.
Field team investigators visited the spot where the Frenchwoman had been reportedly groped and after checking the surveillance cameras in the surrounding, Deer Balak team extracted photos of the culprit walking behind the woman, said records.
Having received up to six groping complaints from different women in the same vicinity, the special team identified the 22-year-old suspect, who was apprehended near a supermarket a week after the incident.
After identifying him at the police line up three times, the worker was referred to the Public Prosecution.
Prosecutors accused the 22-year-old Pakistani of groping the Frenchwoman.
Prosecutors said the suspect abused the fact that the receptionist was walking alone on the pavement at night before he took her by surprise and groped her.
The suspect pleaded guilty when he showed up before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Tuesday.
The French woman claimed to prosecutors that she was heading to her house when the incident happened at 11pm at Downtown Dubai area.
“I heard strange footsteps behind me … by the time when I turned around to see, the suspect grabbed me from my neck and then groped my top. He tried to muzzle me in one hand and used the other to grope me. He told me to remain silent and tried to push me towards a bushy area … I pushed him away and resisted. Once I started shouting at him and crying for help, he ran away and disappeared. A group of bystanders walked me to my building and they tried to help me find him,” she testified to prosecutors.
A police officer testified to prosecutors that following the woman’s complaint a special police team from the Deer Balak carried out the investigations and apprehended the suspect.
“We obtained a photos of the suspect’s face from the CCTV cameras. A number of similar molestation complaints had been reported in the vicinity. We studied the culprit’s criminal behaviour and it was discovered that he had preyed on victims who were walking alone to their homes on weekend nights. Following his arrest near a supermarket, the 22-year-old admitted during questioning that he had groped six to seven women.”
Presiding judge Mohammad Jamal will hand out a ruling on July 29.
https://gulfnews.com/news/uae/courts/serial-groper-in-court-for-attacking-women-in-dubai-1.2249363
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