Queens mosque instructor charged with sexually abusing student

An after-school instructor at a Queens mosque is facing charges of sexual abuse after he allegedly touched a student in an inappropriate manner in the last few months.

Mohammed Rana, 46, of East Elmhurst was awaiting arraignment on Wednesday in Queens Criminal Court for two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.

According to prosecutors, Rana is an instructor of an after-school religious program at the Masjid Abu Huraira Mosque at 78-04 31st Ave. Some time between Nov. 30, 2015 and Jan. 28, 22016 and the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Rana allegedly reach under a 9-year-old female student’s clothing and grabbed and squeezed her chest with his hand.

While doing this, Rana allegedly said, “you are a good girl,” authorities said. On Feb. 3 Rana again allegedly touched the victim on her chest over her clothing with his hand.

The incident cane to light after a sexual abuse prevention workshop — which used puppets — took place at the young girl’s school, according to authorities. The victim then told a workshop instructor what had happened.

“According to the charges, the defendant is accused of using his position as a religious instructor at a mosque to prey on a young student. These are serious allegations,” said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown. “This case should serve as a clear and unmistakable warning that law enforcement is prepared to apprehend and prosecute sexual predators who betray and defile youngsters.”

If convicted, Rana faces up to seven years in prison.

Last August, another Queens man was charged with sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl in the basement of a mosque in Ozone Park.