Tariq Ramadan denounces ‘slander campaign’ after rape allegations

Islamist thinker Tariq Ramadan, targeted by two recent rape accusations, has reacted for the first time on Saturday night by posting a

message on his Facebook page denouncing what he called a “campaign of slander clearly orchestrated by my longtime adversaries”.

Ramadan, 55, is the grandson of the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood and enjoys a high popularity among conservative Muslim circles in Europe. He is also very controversial, especially in the secular spheres, which see him as the bearer of political Islam.

A third woman came forward on Saturday and accused Ramadan of allegedly sexually harassing her some years ago. It came a week after a second complaint was filed in France  following the initial case brought forward by salafist-turned secular liberal activist Henda Ayari.

While his lawyer announced that he Ramadan formally filed a complaint on Monday for slander, the Islamist thinker said: “A second suit will soon follow in response to the campaign of lies launched by my adversaries”.

“For the last several days, I have been the target of a campaign of slander clearly orchestrated by my longtime adversaries,” Ramadan, a professor of contemporary Islamic studies at Oxford University, wrote.

“What a shame it is to see our adversaries clothe their fraud and deception in the garb of virtue. Their underhanded methods tell us all we need to know about them,” Ramadan said. goes on saying: “Justice must now speak. My legal counsel is handling these accusations with utmost diligence and seriousness. We anticipate a long and bitter struggle. I am calm and determined.”

source: Alarabiya