Teenage boy who suffered eye injury at Islamic learning center over alleged assault prompts police investigation

A 13-year-old boy allegedly slapped by a teacher at an Islamic learning center in Hong Kong and ended up with a detached and torn retina has prompted a police investigation, with the city’s Muslim community shocked to learn about the news.

The city’s chief imam, Mufti Muhammad Arshad, also called on teachers of the Islamic faith in Hong Kong to remind them corporal punishment is not permitted and is illegal when teaching the religion in the city.

The alleged assault occurred on Saturday morning at a learning center that taught students the Koran, with most of its students of Pakistani descent, including the 13-year-old boy.

The boy was allegedly struck by a teacher at the center after failing to recite a verse of the Koran. A hospital check-up later confirmed that the boy had a detached retina with a 180-degree tear - which would require surgery.

The boy ended up undergoing a 6-hour surgery on Wednesday, with another one scheduled six months later.

A Hospital Authority spokesman confirmed the boy underwent surgery on his left eye at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan on Wednesday.

“The boy is in a stable condition and has been hospitalized for close monitoring and treatment,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman also revealed that the boy’s family had reported the incident to the police after seeking a doctor’s help and that Eastern Hospital had referred the case to its medical social worker.

The police force said they had been in close contact with schools and related groups in the Eastern district, and would provide help and conduct investigations in a timely manner if relevant reports were received.

Commenting on the case, the Muslim Council of Hong Kong said the news has disturbed the Muslim community in Hong Kong, and sadly not for the first time.

“‎We are in touch with the family, legal advisors and other Islamic [organization] members to treat this case very seriously, not to simply put it as a one-off ‘accidental’ case, because it is not.

“‎There needs to be accountability of ALL Imams, Ustadhs and madrasah teachers to make sure they teach the youth with compassion, wisdom and as per the teachings of Allah and the Prophet,” the Council said.