Muslim scholar accused of 'raping, harassing' Tunisian-Algerian feminist

Well-known Swiss professor of Islamic studies at Oxford University, Tariq Ramadan, has been at the center of controversy after Tunisian-Algerian feminist campaigner Henda Ayari filed a complaint against the professor, detailing criminal acts of rape, sexual assault, violence, and harassment.

Ayari - a former Salafist turned secular activist - alleged the details in a series of Facebook posts on Friday, in which she outed Ramadan for sexually assaulting her in 2012. 

Out of fear, Ayari hadn't revealed the perpetrator's name in the past. 

"I never wanted to give his name, because I received threats from him if i ever balançais him, I was afraid, I dedicated him a whole chapter of my book ... I confirm today, the famous zoubeyr, that is Tariq Ramadan," Ayari wrote. 

The complaint was filed in France at the Rouen public prosecutor’s office. 

However, Ramadan, the grandson of the Muslim Brotherhood founder, has denied the allegations and intends to pursue a complaint for slander.

"The complainant says she did not name my client in her book in order not to be sued for defamation. When you’re telling the truth, it’s surprising to fear being accused of defamation," Yassine Bouzrou, Ramadan's lawyer, said.

In November 2016, Ayari published her book "I Chose to be Free", in which she talks about her escape from Salafism in France. 

She dedicated an entire chapter to Ramadan's acts, whom she described as Zubair in the book. 

Ayari explains that she had met him at his hotel in Paris after he gave a lecture.

"I will not give precise details of the acts he has done to me. It is enough to know that he has benefited greatly from my weakness," Ayari wrote, according to France 24. 

"When I resisted, when I told him to stop, he insulted and humiliated me. He slapped me and was outright violent. I saw someone who was no longer in control of himself. I was scared he would kill me. I wanted to escape but at the same time I couldn’t believe what was happening," she added. 

Years later, Ayari went public with the aggressor's name. 

Her outing of Ramadan, who is a professor of contemporary Islamic studies at Oxford, came following the Harvey Weinstein scandal which saw hundreds of women reveal intimate stories of sexual harassment. 

"After revelations over the past few days of rape and sexual assault claims in the media, Henda has decided to say what happened to her and take legal action," said Jonas Haddad, Ayari's lawyer, according to The Guardian.

An Oxford University spokesman said: "We are aware of the reports. We are taking them extremely seriously. We are not in a position to comment further."

After the news went public, some began questioning whether Ramadan could be the "Harvey Weinstein of Islam."