Who Is Texas Imam Wisam Sharieff And What Are The Allegations Against Him?

Texas-based Imam Wisam Sharieff is under investigation for allegedly grooming a woman and her young daughter and “producing explicit videos with minors.” As per an FBI affidavit filed by Special Agent Eric Salvador in Birmingham, Alabama, Sharieff allegedly convinced the mother that reaching an orgasm would “help her spiritually and allow her to communicate with god better.” After talking to him, the woman “showed interest in involving her minor daughter in the same.” Following this, the woman allegedly filmed her daughter in compromising situations and shared the videos with Sharieff. In return, he sent explicit videos of himself to her. Sharieff’s wife allegedly discovered the videos on his phone and informed the authorities.

Investigation revealed that the mother made over a dozen explicit videos involving her young daughter. The 50-year-old Shelby County, Alabama resident was arrested on October 21. She faces 23 charges, including the production and distribution of explicit material involving a minor and child sexual abuse. She remains in custody with a bond reportedly set at nearly $2 million.

Meanwhile, Federal charges have been brought against Sharieff for “conspiracy to produce child pornography.” As of now, it remains unclear if Sharieff has been arrested in connection with the case.

Imam Wisam Sharieff is founder of Advocating Qur’anic Literacy (AQL). He was also an instructor for the Quran Revolution program at the AlMaghrib Institute.

AlMaghrib Institute quickly responded to the allegations, confirming that his employment has been terminated.

“AlMaghrib Institute is horrified at the news of the criminal allegation against Wisam Sharieff,” the institute posted on X. “The safety and protection of AlMaghrib Institute’s students and community continues to be our top priority. This criminal allegation is a jarring and sickening experience for his students and our staff.”

The institute further clarified that “alleged minor-aged victim was not a student of AlMaghrib Institute.”

“AlMaghrib Institute continues to enforce its longstanding policy of zero tolerance for instructors having any romantic relationships with their students. Instructors are expected to abide by AlMaghrib Institute’s strict code of conduct in both their public and private lives,” the institute wrote on X.