Now, Klang pupil claims abuse at religious school

Suraya Fatima Abdullah thought her son's case was an isolated one, but changed her mind after reading of Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Gaddafi's death, says report.

PETALING JAYA: Just days after the death of Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Gaddafi, the parents of a pupil in another Islamic religious school say they have engaged a lawyer to look into their son’s claim that he, too, had been abused.

They said they discovered their son, Muhammad Resan Abdullah, weak and covered in bruises during a visit only a few weeks after he had enrolled at the Klang school, The Star reported.

Resan’s mother, Suraya Fatima Abdullah, told the daily he had been warded for two weeks at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang.

His medical report showed multiple bruises on his back and chest wall, and severe constipation due to low fibre and fluid intake, the daily said.

When asked what had happened, Resan claimed an ustaz (religious teacher) at his boarding school had abused him. The ustaz had also allegedly threatened to punish him some more if he complained to his parents, he said.

“He also said my brain would not be able to memorise the Quran if I complained about an ustaz,” Resan was quoted as saying.

Suraya said she initially thought Resan’s case was an isolated one, but changed her mind after reading about Thaqif.

Thaqif, 11, died on Wednesday, a week after he was admitted to Hospital Sultan Ismail in Johor for injuries to his legs, allegedly inflicted during a beating.

He had previously undergone surgery to amputate both his legs in an attempt to stop infection from spreading. He was scheduled for further surgery to amputate his right arm as well but it was postponed as he was weak. He died just hours later.

An assistant warden at the Islamic school was alleged to have beaten Thaqif with a hose, causing the injuries to his legs. The 29-year-old, who previously served a 30-month jail term after being convicted of theft, has been detained until tomorrow to facilitate investigations.

Meanwhile, according to The Star, the ustaz in Resan’s case has been charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code for causing hurt. Resan’s parents want their lawyer to re-examine the case in light of Thaqif’s death. -FMT