UK Muslims 'shave' Imam's beard over sexual abuse of boys allegations

London, Oct 16 (ANI): A mosque leader charged with sexually abusing young boys was held down by three men and had his beard shaved off on the day he was arrested, the North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court heard.

According to the Sun, 41-year-old Mohammed Hanif Khan, honoured by Buckingham Palace for his work in prisons, was attacked by 31-year-old Mohammed Jameel, Mohammed Nadeem, 28, and Mohammed Safir, 32, who lives in Tunstall.

Khan, who denied the allegation against him and faces trial in January, said that the trio knocked him down by a headbutt before shaving him with electric clippers.

Shaving a Muslim's beard is regarded as a sin, the court heard.

Jameel and Nadeem have denied abusing Khan while Safir has admitted the charge. However, the basis of his plea is not accepted by prosecutors, the paper said.

The trial is still continuing. (ANI)