Bangladeshi imam arrested in New York on child sex abuse charges

Police say the allegations relate to two incidents involving 10-year-old children at a mosque in Jamaica

A Bangladeshi imam has been arrested in New York in a case involving allegations of child sexual assault at a mosque.

The allegations relate to two incidents said to have taken place at Masjid Bilal in New York City's Jamaica on Apr 21 and Apr 27.

The accused, 65-year-old Tajul Islam, was later released on bail.

He has been charged with four counts of first-degree sexual abuse, four counts of forcible touching and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

According to the allegations, Tajul inappropriately touched a 10-year-old child inside the mosque on Apr 21.

A similar allegation involving another 10-year-old child was made over an incident on Apr 27.

New York police arrested him the same day. The following day, Queens Criminal Court granted him bail on a $25,000 bond.

The court also ordered him to stay away from the children involved.

Police released a photograph of the accused and urged anyone with similar allegations to contact the Sex Crimes Hotline at 1-212-267-7273 or 1-800-577-8477.

bdnews24.com is seeking comment from the mosque committee.