Ustadh Wisam Sharieff, a prominent Imam with the AlMaghrib Institute and founder of the Advocating Qur’anic Literacy (AQL) has been fingered in an FBI report for producing child p*rn*graphy.
A probable cause affidavit authored by FBI Special Agent Eric Salvador with the Bureau’s Birmingham division detailed allegations of disturbing and disgusting behaviors on the part of Sharieff.
According to the affidavit, the Muslim scholar allegedly groomed both a mother and her daughter to exploit them s*xually. Sharieff was teaching the mother online and allegedly told her that achieving an org*sm will help her get closer to Allah.
“During her training, SHARIEFF told SUSPECT 2 (the mother) that achieving an org*sm would help her spiritually and allow her to communicate with Allah better,” FBI Special Agent Salvador alleged. “SUSPECT 2 expressed interest in helping MV (her daughter, a minor) become closer to Allah as well.”
The two adults began exchanging videos over Telegram, the messaging app. Disturbing videos included the mother forcing her child to watch p*rn, procuring s*x toys for her and teaching her to use it on herself. All these were filmed and sent to Wisham Sharieff, who also recorded his own videos and sent back to Suspect 2.
Sharieff’s wife informed police of the ongoing crimes after spotting some videos on his phone. Authorities have charged him with violating 18 U.S.C. Section 2251(a) and (e), conspiracy to produce child p*rnography.
The Al Maghrib Institute, where Sharieff works as a specialist in teaching Quran recitation and retention leading the Quran Revolution program, fired him in a statement shortly after the affidavit surfaced online.
“AlMaghrib Institute is horrified at the news of the criminal allegation against Wisam Sharieff.” a statement read. “The safety and protection of AlMaghrib Institute’s students and community continues to be our top priority. This criminal allegation against Wisam Shariff is a jarring and sickening experience for his students as well as AlMaghrib Institute’s staff and instructors who worked with him.”
AlMaghrib Institute is horrified at the news of the criminal allegation against Wisam Sharieff.
The safety and protection of AlMaghrib Institute’s students and community continues to be our top priority. This criminal allegation against Wisam Shariff is a jarring and sickening…
— AlMaghrib Institute (@almaghrib) November 4, 2024
The institute added that the crimes were performed outside their purview and hence they were not notified by law enforcement about the investigation. Nevertheless, in light of new information, Sharieff has been fired.
“As soon as AlMaghrib Institute was notified of a possible violation of its code of conduct by an instructor in his personal life, AlMaghrib Institute conducted its own investigation but did not have access to law enforcement’s investigation. However, AlMaghrib Institute’s own investigation concluded there was sufficient evidence violating AlMaghrib Institute’s code of conduct to terminate the instructor’s employment…” the statement added.
Ustadh Wisam Sharieff is the founder of Advocating Qur’anic Literacy (AQL), an institute focused on educating communities on how to read, memorize, and understand the Qur’an.
According to his bio, he has taught over 25,000 students worldwide through traveling seminars, long-term study, and online instruction. He graduated from the Qur’an Academy in Lahore, Pakistan with a bachelor’s degree in Arabic grammar and a minor in Arabic literature. Sharieff operates a YouTube channel to help others in Qur’anic literacy. He is also a certified radiology technician.