 One of Australiaâs leading Islamic clerics says he doesnât believe Osama bin Laden directed the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist strikes against America or that Muslims were involved in either that attack or last weekâs London bombings. âI dispute any evil action linked to bin Laden. I donât believe that even Sept. 11 ... was done by any Muslim at all, or any other activities,â said Sheik Mohammed Omran, echoing a point of view that has gained wide currency in the Islamic world since the attacks.
Omran, head of the fundamentalist Ahl Sunnah wal Jamaah Association in Melbourne city, told Australian Broadcasting Corp. television late Monday that he rejected allegations that bin Laden played a leading role in the terrorist attacks on Washington and New York. âWhen you look at the man (bin Laden), from some part of his life, yes he is (a great man),â Omran said.
| "He can admit it on tape all he wants, his minions can admit it, he can preen over it, but we know it wudn't him." |
He said he also did not accept that Islamic extremists were responsible for the London train bombings that killed at least 52 people last week. âNo one has proven that any Muslim (was involved),â Omran said. âHow could I believe any Muslim could think to help his religion by doing an evil act like this?â he added.
| That was a rhetorical question, of course. |
| And even when it is proven, when the perps have been rounded up and jugged, he'll still deny it was them. |
Omranâs statements drew sharp criticism on Tuesday from Attorney General Philip Ruddock.
âI donât think (Omran) speaks for Muslims generally and I think most Muslims in Australia regard what has happened as inexcusable and quite horrific,â he told ABC Radio. âI think his comments were disingenuous.â
| Phil, pull your head out of the sand: Omran pretty much does speak for Muslims until Muslims specifically disavow him. |
Ruddock, who is responsible for Australiaâs major spy agency and a raft of new counter-terrorism laws, said most Australian Muslims ârecognize that Osama bin Laden, by his public statements, has made it clear that he is about pursuing terrorist objectives.â |