"Whatever the outcome of the Muavia case, the controversy sheds light on a hidden phenomenon, the frequent sexual abuse of both boys and girls in Islamic madrassas and other learning institutions in Pakistan. Some may object that child abuse also happens in Catholic and other institutions, which is certainly true, but this is not a good reason for Pakistani courts to protect madrassa abusers and rely on “mediations” or “arbitrations” of Islamic institutions that mostly rule in favor of the clerics."