Saeed Toosi
| Ustad Saeed Toosi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Native name | سعید طوسی |
| Born |
Muhammed Gandomnejad Toosi 1970 (age 45–46)[1] |
| Nationality | Iran |
| Occupation | Qāriʾ |
| Religion | Islam (Twelver Shia) |
| Criminal charge | Child sexual abuse |
| Criminal status | Awaiting trial[2] |
Saeed Toosi (Persian: سعید طوسی Saʿīd Tusi; born Muhammed Gandomnejad Toosi, محمد گندمنژاد طوسی)[3] is an Iranian prominent Qur'an reciter and teacher. He is winner of the several first prizes in both internationally and locally competitions, notably 1998 International Quran Recital Competition.
Child sexual abuse lawsuit
In October 2016, VOA-PNN shed light on Toosi's case in which he accused of bache bazi or sexually abusing nineteen[2] of his prepubescent Qur'an students over the past years (four plaintiffs are confirmed). It is unknown whether the charges could include homosexual rape, which could carry the death penalty.[1][4]
The anonymous plaintiffs claim that complaints made through legal channels were covered up or ignored by the authorities in order to protect the reputation of Iranian regime.[5]
Toosi's denial
Toosi issued a denial statement rejecting all of the claims, which he called “total lies”. The allegations were "aimed at discrediting the state’s religious foundations and its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei," Toosi said.[5] He stated he had never engaged in "such sins" and "actions incompatible with chastity."[1]
References
- 1 2 3 Esfandiari, Golnaz (October 24, 2016). "Prominent Iranian Koran Reciter Accused Of Sexual Abuse". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
- 1 2 "Child rape: Iran's top Quran reciter to face court". News of Bahrain. October 25, 2016.
- ↑ "South Africa welcomes Iranian Quran reciters". Islamic Culture and Relations Organization. September 21, 2005.
- ↑ Kamali Dehghan, Saeed (October 26, 2016). "Iran rocked by abuse allegations against top Qur'an reciter". The Guardian. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
- 1 2 McKernan, Bethan (October 26, 2016). "Top Qu'ran reciter accused of sexually abusing teenage students in first case of its kind case in Iran". The Idependent. Retrieved October 26, 2016.