 Islamic groups in Australia yesterday moved to distance themselves from controversial comments made by a cleric, calling them "un-Islamic, un-Australian and unacceptable". The cleric, Sheikh Taj Aldin al-Hilali, caused a storm by describing scantily-clad women without headscarves as "uncovered meat" inviting sexual attack. He later apologised but Islamic Council of Victoria spokesman Waleed Aly predicted a backlash against Muslims, saying: "I am expecting a deluge of hate mail. I am expecting people to get abused in the street and get abused at work."
| "I mean, that's what we'd do, after all." |
AustraliaÂ’s most senior Islamic cleric sparked uproar after describing immodestly dressed women without headscarves as "uncovered meat" inviting sexual attack. "They are appalling and reprehensible comments," Prime Minister John Howard told reporters. "The idea that women are to blame for rapes is preposterous."
| Not if you look at it a certain way, with your turban really, really tight. Then it all makes sense, and you can see God's belt buckle just before you pass out. |
The governmentÂ’s sex discrimination commissioner called for the cleric, Sheikh Taj Aldin al-Hilali, to be sacked and deported from the country, where bikinis and miniskirts reflect a sun-drenched lifestyle.
| Hrowf! Hilali should be prosecuted for blasphemy! Orf wif 'is 'ead! |
Al-Hilali made the comments in a Ramadan sermon to 500 worshippers last month in which he criticised women who "sway suggestively", wear make-up and no hijab or Islamic headscarf, The Australian newspaper reported.
| "They got thighs, brethren and sistern! I seen 'em! I seen 'em with my own eyes! An' they got buttocks! And them buttocks swaaaaaays when they walks! An' they got bosoms! An' them bosoms swaaaaaays when they walks! An'... An'... An' they looks at me wid them eyes! Big ol' eyes, brethren and sistern! An' sometimes they smile, the brazen hussies, but never, never at me! An' my meat starts to swell! An' the cats comes after me! An' then... An' then... Oh! I must shoot off! My gun, that is. I must shoot off my gun... Does anyone have a tissue? |
Al-Hilali later issued a statement apologising for any offence caused by his remarks. "I unreservedly apologise to any woman who is offended by my comments," he said. "I had only intended to protect womenÂ’s honour, something lost in The Australian presentation of my talk. The presentation related to religious teachings on modesty and not to go to extremes in enticements, this does not condone rape, I condemn rape," he said. "Women in our Australian society have the freedom and right to dress as they choose, the duty of man is to avert his glance or walk away," he added.
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