Allegations of Molestation

Social networking sites witnessed widespread controversy after a woman named “Khadija Khaled” claimed that she had been molested as a child by one of Egypt’s Sufi order, Sheikh Salah al-Din al-Tijani.

Khadijah indicated that she had received a message from Al-Tijani via a messaging app containing a pornographic image and sexual expressions, and she said that he later apologized and confirmed that the image was sent by mistake.

Foundation for Women’s Rights Issues

The Foundation for Women’s Rights Issues also said that they received complaints from three girls alleging sexual and electronic harassment against the same Sheikh, requesting the necessary legal assistance and immediate intervention to protect them from continued threats.

Sheikh’s Denial

But Sheikh Salah al-Tijani denied the allegations, and in a statement to local media said he had filed a report against the girl and her father, accusing them of defaming their reputations.

Reactions on Social Media

Many users on social media expressed their surprise at the reaction of Khadija’s mother, who along with her husband is a follower of Sheikh Tijani, published a rebuttal of her daughter and said on behalf of the Sheikh that her daughter “suffers from a mental disorder.”

Some have also pointed to the fact that there are a significant number of Egyptian thinkers, writers, and artists among the adherents of this approach, citing images that associate these famous figures with Sheikh Saladin al-Tijani.

Criticism and Defense

Many on social media have criticized the presence of a number of writers, intellectuals, writers and public figures in Egypt among the followers of Sheikh Salah al-Din al-Tijani, condemning what they describe as “society’s elite” for admitting it.

A user named “Ahmed” called for getting to know Sheikh Al-Tijani and reading about him before making any accusations against him or defending him.

Tijaniyya Order’s Statement

The Sheikhdom of the Tizaniya Order – a Sufi order in Egypt – rejected Sheikh Salah al-Tizani in an official statement issued by the sheikhdom, which said it had divested the man of any titles associated with the Tizaniya Order.