Brutal: The Heartbreaking True Story of a Little Girl’s Stolen Innocence

Nabila Sharma

Apr 2012 · Sold by HarperCollins UK

About this ebook

He was my religious teacher. I should have been able to trust him. But he made me do unspeakable things...

At seven years old, Nabila Sharma began her lessons at the mosque as every good Muslim girl does. But from the minute she looked up at her Imam, the man who held her spiritual future in his hands, she knew something was wrong.

Over the next five years Nabila’s life became unbearable. While she was behind the doors of the mosque, the most sacred of places, the Imam brutally molested her on the slightest whim. Each day he would make her perform unspeakable acts, physically and mentally torturing her into compliance, to fulfil his perverse desires.

Nothing would stop him; no plea would make him relent. But he was a respected member of the community, trusted by everyone; if Nabila cried for help she would risk the honour of her family, an unthinkable act. There was nowhere she could turn, no one she could talk to. As a young Muslim girl, Nabila was powerless.

Brutal is the shocking, revelatory and heart-rending account of one girl’s plight in a society where honour and shame are a matter of life and death. It is a tale of innocence lost and a life shattered, but above all it is a tale of survival, of a young girl who found love and hope in the darkest of places.

Ratings and reviews

This book made me feel I'm a part of Nabila's life. Amazingly written. The detail of her experience makes the reader feel they are right there with her. This book made me believe strongly towards making a change. I believe we all can make a change. Help Nabila in her mission. Help all the other victims with their life. Help them cope with what happened. I was a little disappointed with the family's behaviour towards the victim in this book but at the same time, being from the same culture, I understand why they behaved the way they did. At the same time I wish all the victims' families understand how much support and love is needed by the person who went through this horrible experience. My heart goes out to you Nabila and I wish I can help you as much as I can in your mission. Faria

Very sad how non muslims make up stories. Not everyone who has a muslim name is muslim. Know this people. Oh imam don't teach at the mosques they hire teachers male muslims don't teach females. Female muslims teach female.how quick people make judgement. Please do research on islam and don't learn about islam from people who are not muslims themselves. Travel and see for yourself to the middle east and see what the media said about muslims and islam is true and you be amazed at what you would discover

The worst part of sexual abuse is own parents has no trust on their children especially if it's a girl / woman..All religions have their pros and cons..They abused the religion part into their own fantasy world thinking one is GOD..I read this book within 2 hours ..I Applaud Nabila for her courage to speak up and write a book...

About the author

Nabila Sharma was born and raised in the Midlands, the youngest of five siblings and the only daughter in a strict Muslim home. At the age of six she was sent to the Mosque to begin lessons and was subjected to brutal abuse at the hands of the Imam. The incidents that occurred over these years changed her life forever.

Now an independent woman, Nabila works to bring light to the crimes kept in the dark and justice to those who deserve it.