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Australian Sheik won't resign untill the world is 'cleaned of the White House'
CONTROVERSIAL Muslim cleric Sheik Taj al-Din al-Hilary today said he refused to resign until "we clean the world of the White House", outside a mosque where 2000 people attended prayer.SHEIK Taj al-Din al-Hilaly will only resign when the world is "clean of the White House", he said today. After emerging from Friday prayers at Lakemba Mosque this afternoon, Sheik Hilaly was asked whether he would quit over a speech in which he said scantily-dressed women invited rape. "After we clean the world of the White House first," he said. His supporters cheered and applauded loudly at the comments, which were directed firmly at US President George W. Bush. The sheik has previously described Mr Bush, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Prime Minister John Howard as the axis of evil. Despite calls from within the Islamic community for his resignation, Sheik Hilaly has been assured he has the support of grass-roots Muslims, a supporter said. Other Muslim figures have called for him to stand down over a sermon last month in which he likened immodestly dressed women to uncovered meat. Over 2000 Muslims attended prayers at Lakemba Mosque today where British Imam Abdul Jalil Sajid gave the sermon in English in place of Sheik Hilaly. Supporter and president of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia, Keysar Trad, says the sheik will not resign but is taking a break which will include a pilgrimage to Mecca. "Reaction from the grass roots is that we appreciate all the hard work the mufti has put in for the community," Mr Trad said. "We're certainly not going to pass judgment on the basis of one comment in which we know his intentions were completely different. "The grass roots are behind him." But the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA), which runs the Lakemba Mosque where the sheik preaches, said many of its members are embarrassed by his comments. The LMA met last night and said it was satisfied with Sheik Hilaly's apology but is dismayed that he is not explaining himself publicly today. "We wanted an explanation as to his thoughts on the matter," LMA President Tom Zrieka said. "The (LMA) board were satisfied with his apology last night, but some were priming for a retraction of his comments, but that's not going to happen. "We've never, ever mentioned the word censure, we've never intended to terminate him or ban him in any way. "There was an implied understanding following yesterday's discussion to take the necessary time off to recuperate and get back to health." Mr Zrieka said Sheik Hilaly is not speaking for all Muslims and the LMA hopes to meet with him again shortly to discuss his situation. Mr Zrieka fears the sheik's comments will cause serious divisions within Muslims and a backlash from the wider Australian community. He also asked Prime Minister John Howard and other politicians to stay out of the debate. "Leave the Islam community to the Islam community," he said. Posted by: Oztralian 2006-10-27 |
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