Patrick Christys, a well-known commentator, has sparked controversy by asking whether the so-called “Pakistani rape gang” scandal should actually be called the “Islamic rape gang” scandal. He argues that the issue is not just about nationality or culture but also about how some individuals interpret and practice Islam in an extreme way. According to Christys, certain religious teachings, when distorted, have been used to justify abusive behavior targeting girls, mostly white.

He cites harrowing testimony from a survivor, who reported that the abusers claimed they had the right to assault her because she was not Muslim and because she was female. These justifications reflect a warped belief in male superiority and female inferiority, using religion to legitimize criminal acts. The survivor also said she was portrayed as “immoral” and “wasting her body,” and that rape was rationalized as a form of punishment.

Christys emphasizes that this problem cannot be explained solely by Pakistani culture or individual factors. He calls for a serious conversation about the link between religion and criminal behavior, including recording the religion of suspects, training police to investigate faith-related influences during inquiries, and urging Islamic leaders to publicly condemn any religious interpretations used to justify abuse.

Additionally, he suggests preventative measures: stopping unregistered Sharia marriages, examining the role of families in enabling criminal behavior, and creating training programs for victim communities to better understand how religion can be misused. These steps are seen as essential to protecting victims and preventing similar crimes in the future.

However, Christys acknowledges that the majority of the Muslim community outright rejects such extremist interpretations. Many emphasize that the rapes were individual criminal acts and do not reflect Islam as a whole. He warns that avoiding discussion about religious factors for fear of promoting Islamophobia prevents effective solutions. Without confronting these potential connections, measures to protect victims and prevent crime will remain limited in effectiveness.

Finally, Christys raises a provocative question: should society reconsider how it labels this scandal to reflect the potential role of religion? While it is a sensitive topic, he believes that only through open and honest discussion can real solutions be found to protect victims and prevent further abuse.