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| Down Under |
| Sheikh's sermons put on hold after making comments about women |
| 2006-10-26 |
| The Lebanese Muslim Association says one of the nation's most senor clerics will not give sermons at Sydney's Lakemba Mosque for the next two to three months. The association met last night to discuss controversial comments about women made by Sheikh Taj el-Din Al Hilaly. Association president Tom Zreika says the board met the Sheikh last night and it accepts the comments he made during a sermon last month were misinterpreted. But this morning Mr Zreika says some board members wanted stronger action taken against the Sheikh. "There were a few items there we didn't fully accept," he said. "Some people on the board would have liked to see more done but unfortunately we can only speak as a board." Mr Zreika says the Sheikh will not be giving sermons at Lakemba Mosque for the next few months but he will not say whether the Sheikh agreed to this or whether the board imposed the suspension on him as punishment. "It was a very, very intense meeting and you can take it either way," he said. He says the Sheikh will issue a statement later today, clarifying his comments. Parliamentary secretary for Multicultural Affairs Andrew Robb is outraged that stronger action has not been taken against the Sheikh. Mr Robb says he believes there will be strong pressure from other Muslims for the Sheikh to be asked to resign. "I must say I'm shocked - I'm quite angry about this and frustrated by this decision of a few leaders in Sydney to wipe their hands of this matter - I think it's unacceptable," he said. "And I do suspect it in no way reflects the widespread disgust that I observed across the Muslim community around Australia yesterday." Community Relations Commission chairman Stepan Kerkyasharian wrote to Sheikh Al Hilaly yesterday, asking him to explain the comments. Mr Kerkyasharian says he is not satisfied with the Sheikh's and Muslim leaders' responses to the controversy. "The original reported sermon was unquestionably, unquestionably about rape," he said. "Now we're told that he will not be preaching for a few months - that sounds like a punishment and a suspension to me. "I think someone needs to make a very clear statement as to what is really happening." |
| Posted by:Oztralian |
| #1 Let's face it - Muslims really believe that women who don't wear the burka are asking to be raped. In addition, of course, to the principle that raping infidels is something that Muhammad personally endorsed and engaged in. This is why Muslim youths gangraped several Australian women with the silent approval of the Muslim community. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2006-10-26 22:39 |