The founder of the Oxford Institute for British Islam has made a shocking claim about attitudes towards sexual abuse within some Muslim communities.
The academic warned that religious teachings in some mosques are promoting ideas of "superiority" and "supremacy".
This comes as the nation is rocked by the grooming gangs scandal, which involved the rape and sexual abuse of thousands of white girls by gangs of predominantly Pakistani-origin men.
Speaking to GB News, Dr Taj Hargey revealed he was told by a man in Oxford that "Muslim rapists would go to heaven before a Christian person."
Dr Taj Hargey shared his views on the scandal
GB News
He said: "Every Friday when the congregational prayers end, up and down the country the imam says we should condemn the disbelievers and the non-believers and all those who are not Muslim, and only Muslims are going to heaven.
"So when you have that idea of superiority, of supremacy, of segregationist mentality, then yes, these people then go out and then do bad things to these young, vulnerable teenage girls who most of them are in care, they abused them and used them as chewing gum.
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"It's an astonishing thing to hear. They believe that they are alone, going to heaven. For example, I met a Muslim man here in Oxford. He said that the Muslim rapists would go to heaven before a Christian person.
"Now imagine that. I mean, I was totally astounded that you could do this. Rape and evil crime is a wicked thing, especially when you do this to young children. I think we shouldn't give them a free pass.
"I think what's important is, yes, we should investigate the criminality of sexual grooming, rape gangs. But we should also look at the interlinkage between religion and criminality as far as Muslims are concerned.
"Unless we do address the toxic theology coming from the mosque and from the elders of the Muslim community, nothing much will change."
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for an inquiryKEMI BADENOCHHis comments come as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch prepares to push for a Commons vote on whether to hold a public inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of showing "total moral cowardice" in opposing the inquiry.
Downing Street has indicated it will block the move by ordering its MPs to vote against the amendment.
Victims campaigner Dame Jasvinder Sanghera has warned that the abuse of young girls by gangs is still occurring.
He said that it is a "astonishing" thing to hear
GB News
"Let's be clear, this is still happening," she told Times Radio. "This isn't something that used to happen. This is still happening today."
She criticised the government's approach to multiculturalism, saying it appeared focused on "minimising the risk of offending communities as opposed to actually dealing with the very problem."
The head of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Professor Alexis Jay, believes "the time has passed" for another lengthy examination.
"We've had enough of inquiries, consultations and discussions," Professor Jay said, calling instead for immediate action.
