| He grew up dirt poor in Israel, according to his reality show, so has a different perspective on the subject. |
Legendary rock legend Gene Simmons triggered outrage in Australia earlier this month when he made anti-Muslim comments on a radio program in Melbourne. He said on 3AW radio, "This is a vile culture and if you think for a second that it's willing to just live in the sands of God's armpit, you've got another thing coming."
"They want to come and live right where you live and they think that you're evil. Extremism believes that it's okay to strap bombs onto your children and send them to paradise and whatever else and to behead people," the Kiss bassist continued.
Simmons, who was in Australia on tour, continued his anti-Muslim rant for over a minute saying that dogs were treated better than Muslim women, and implying that the West was threatened.
He said, "Your dog, however, can walk side by side, your dog is allowed to have its own dog house... You can send your dog to school to learn tricks, sit, beg, do all that stuff - none of the women have that advantage."
Simmons added that the UN approach was not effective, suggesting that the West should "speak softly and carry a big stick."
Simmons has since defended his comments, saying "I was asked about extremists, and that's what I was talking about -- only extremists."
His apology has not satisfied Australia's Muslim community, however. After Simmons' appearance, the station received calls from several angry listeners. One of those callers was Australian Muslim of the year, Susan Carland.
Carland explained that Muslims in Australia rejected extremism and did not fit Simmons unfortunate stereotype, claiming that she has two degrees and "certainly do not walk behind my husband."
Another noteworthy caller was Chairman of the Islamic Council of Victoria Yasser Soliman, who worried about Simmons' influence. Soliman said, "He's very famous obviously and popular and, as a result, influential. Mixing the entertainment world with the political and religious world is a minefield.
"I think it would be good for overseas speakers and commentators to be given some sort of advice in regards to our vilification laws here. They leave and go back to where they arrived from, but they leave behind a big mess that we have to live with."
Soliman said that Simmons comments were not only offensive, but also inaccurate. He said, "A number of his claims regarding women and what they are allowed to do and not do are wrong -- Islam teaches the opposite."