TALER DIN THE MONSTER OF GLASGOW'S BALLATER STREET MOSQUE JAILED FOR ABUSING BOYS
In August 1999, a disturbing case unfolded in Glasgow involving Taher Din, a man who gained notoriety as the 'Monster of the Mosque' after being convicted of sexually abusing two young boys.The heinous acts took place within the premises of the city's Ballater Street mosque, a place where many families from the local Asian community gathered for worship and spiritual guidance.
Din, who was 34 years old at the time, made a dramatic entrance into Glasgow Sheriff Court on crutches, claiming that his physical disability rendered him incapable of committing the assaults.
However, during the trial, witnesses testified that Din's condition was exaggerated; he had only a slight limp and did not require assistance to walk, casting doubt on his claims of severe disability.
The court heard that the abuse occurred during a highly significant period in the Islamic calendar—Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims.
The victims, aged nine and ten, were subjected to lewd and libidinous acts in the mosque, a place that is supposed to be a sanctuary of safety and spiritual reflection.
The first incident was particularly egregious, taking place during Ramadan, a time when the community's focus is on fasting, prayer, and charity.
One of the victims' fathers expressed his outrage and disappointment following the conviction, stating, “Din will be an outcast forever.
Moslems will find it difficult to forgive anyone who has committed such a terrible crime, particularly in the holiest of our places and at Ramadan.” The betrayal of trust in such a sacred setting left a deep scar on the community.
It was revealed that Din had a prior conviction for indecent assault, which underscored the severity of his criminal behavior.
He was sentenced to a year in prison and was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.
The sheriff, James Murphy, condemned Din’s actions, emphasizing the terror inflicted upon the children.
He remarked, “This happened in a place in which parents believe their children to be safe and where the children are encouraged to call male adults ‘uncle.’ You have shown no sign of remorse.” Din’s involvement with the mosque extended beyond his criminal acts; he was a member of the management committee.
His conviction followed a trial that lasted six weeks, during which he was found guilty of lewd and lascivious conduct towards the young boys.
Allegations also surfaced suggesting that some mosque officials might have attempted to conceal the abuse, raising concerns about possible cover-ups.
The first victim recounted that Din had dragged him into a toilet, but an imam, a religious leader, unlocked the door, allowing Din to escape.
The boy’s father initially found it hard to believe the allegations, and no imam came forward to report the incident to authorities at the time.
It was only eight months later, when Din was caught in the act of abusing the second boy, that justice was finally served.
The second incident occurred when Din lured the boy into a changing room under the pretense of playing football.
At that moment, a worshipper named Mohammed Farooq, who was in Glasgow studying for a doctorate and resting after prayers, heard the boy’s shouts.
Farooq, who had traveled from Pakistan to attend the mosque, intervened and found Din lying on top of the child in the changing room.
He observed Din zipping up his trousers and saw the boy pulling up his own.
Farooq reported the incident to a mosque official, who advised him not to contact the police, claiming, “We know the guy, we will sort it out.” Despite this, the child’s mother reported the incident to the police, leading to Din’s arrest and subsequent trial.
During the court proceedings, Din attempted to shift blame, claiming that he was the victim of a conspiracy orchestrated by his wealthy and influential brother-in-law.
He alleged that his brother-in-law had paid witnesses to make false accusations against him.
Throughout the trial, Din, who arrived on crutches, insisted that he could not have committed the assaults because he was severely disabled.
However, witnesses testified that Din only had a slight limp and did not require crutches, undermining his claims of disability.
Ultimately, the court found Din guilty of the charges, and he was sentenced to a year in prison.
His name was also added to the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years, marking a significant step in the community’s effort to protect vulnerable children from predators within their own religious and social institutions.
