Tariq Ramadan: Innocent or Guilty?

Amongst one of the most well known and prosperous Islamic lecturers and scholars within Europe, Tariq Ramadan was arrested with accusations of rape earlier this year. It seems almost absurd that such a prominent religious man would have to deal with worrying allegations like these, as he is seen by many as a beacon of light and guidance for the Ummah, through his motivating lectures and speeches. His popularity within the political spectrum of France, mixed with his fame throughout the Middle East for his inspiring words, contradicts everything that is being speculated about him in the media. But with all the rumours and allegations that are going on, this begs the question: Is Tariq Ramadan guilty or innocent?

Mr Ramadan is a proud married father of four, and although he has now come forward and admitted to having other marital affairs, he has strongly denied all allegations of rape made against him. There are a few women who have come forward, two in France, one in Switzerland, and one in the United States. This also includes secular Muslim Henda Ayari who wrote a book on her life called, 'I chose to be free,' exposing the hatred she faced within the Salafi community in France. On July 19 she claimed to have been raped by Mr Ramadan on May 26 2012 in Paris. On a national television interview, she said,'He literally threw himself on me like a wild animal. The more I said no the more he grew angry. He hit me really hard, he slapped me, he strangled me. For several seconds I couldn't breathe, I really thought I might die. And then he raped me.'
Although this explicit sensitive story has persuaded many, Ayari's brother came forward, providing evidence that she was actually at his wedding on that night. So the question is, why would she lie? And what does she hold against the world renowned scholar?
Another story did unfold on June 5. Tariq admitted to having a relationship with another plaintiff: Mounira Rabbouj, however her story is dramatically different to the 'apparent' truth. She claims to have been raped in a hotel in 2009 however TR's lawyer says:'He admitted to having relations of private nature which did not coincide with the relations that she had described in her complaint.'

If these allegations are true, why have over 150,000 people signed a petition calling for the release of Tariq Ramadan and ensuring he gets fair treatment? This petition is all over the internet, and many well known intellectuals including Professor Noam Chomsky, Dr Amina Wadud from Berkley and UK journalist Peter Orborne have signed this, in agreement to release this man. "It is not for us to judge Tariq Ramadan's guilt or innocence, but we respectfully ask , has Mr Ramadan benefited from from a fair and equitable legal process, one in which he is presumed innocent until proven guilty? Is there one form of justice for Muslims in France and another for everyone else?"

The allegations and rumours had become so bad, that Mr Ramadan voluntarily went to a police station to answer questions, which he was then immediately arrested, and still hasn't actually been charged with an official crime. The French justice and legal system is viewed by many as poor and unfair, and Tariq Ramadan's case is a perfect example of their inequality. This wouldn't be the first time the French have treated people unfairly, based on the colour of their skin or religion. Mr Ramadan's lawyer Emmanuel Marsigny made a statement,'the justice system has a very hard time admitting that it has made a mistake. In my opinion in any other court of law in the Anglo-Saxon tradition, this case would have been closed a long time ago.' Now there are also talk as to whether there will even be a case, and if not, what will happen to Mr Ramadan?

Since February 2018, he has been suffering in solitary confinement, with no access to his file and is being denied any information of the situation. It has been uncovered that he suffers from multiple sclerosis, which includes symptoms of blurred vision, severe fatigue and impairment of speech. This probably explains why he is not able to walk unassisted, and has now lost 11 kilos, according to his daughter Maryam Ramadan. He also doesn't get much sleep because of the constant pain piercing through his body, and yet despite all of this, he is being denied proper medical attention. He won't even be allowed out on house arrest, and was denied bail, which highlights just how severe the situation at hand has become.

His children seem to be behind him 100%, protecting him against the media's evil intentions of gossip and hatred. His son Sami Ramadan, was interviewed by the BBC and when questioned on his fathers innocence he said,' I think every human being does things that are wrong. I know my dad has made mistakes the same I've made mistakes, the same way every human being has made mistakes. This story is not about a mistake. It's about a crime, and I believe he did not commit this crime."

So you see, it's so hard to see the truth through all the lies and hatred that surrounds this unfortunate case. The fact is, whether Tariq Ramadan did this or not, regardless of his private life, and his life in the spotlight, he should be treated to a fair trial immediately.

Ending in the profound words of Mr Ramadan's daughter Maryam,'In the face of such injustice history will remember those who stood up to denounce it and those who chose to remain silent.'

Petition for Tariq Ramadan: https://www.change.org/p/lib%C3%A9reztariq-ramadan-free-tariq-ramadan?signed=true