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| Down Under |
| Ameer Ali: Banning Muslim group 'would be dangerous' |
| 2007-01-28 |
| A leading Muslim says the Federal Government is right to allow the controversial Islamic group, Hizb ut Tahrir, to practice in Australia. There have been calls for the group to be banned following a conference in Sydney's south-west yesterday, which focused on creating an Islamic super state with sharia law somewhere in the world. But former chairman of the Federal Government's Muslim Community Reference Group, Dr Ameer Ali, says banning the group and its controversial teachings could do more harm than good. "That call may be appropriate in a Muslim country, but it is totally inappropriate to Australia," he said. "Therefore they have to be monitored in what they are saying, but to ban them is not a wise move, because once you ban them, they go underground. That is much more dangerous." However, Dr Ali is concerned the conference held by the group may further damage the community's perceptions of the faith. He says the best way to deal with the group is to engage moderate Muslims to counter its views. "These youngsters don't realise the damage they are doing to the mainstream Muslim community in this country," he said. "So I'd say let them do whatever they want to do, but there must be some line - we draw a line beyond which they have to be monitored very closely. "And I think the law enforcement authorities must monitor them." Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock says there is insufficient evidence to ban the group. But chair of the Community Relations Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian, says Hizb ut Tahrir is overstepping the mark. "If people are going to hold public meetings calling for a way of life and our institutions to be replaced by some other system, then they are definitely crossing the line," he said. "It's not acceptable in our society and it's tantamount to calling for a revolution." |
| Posted by:Chinesh Hupert1797 |
| #5 Sounds like an idea. When someone finds a moderate Muslim, we'll give it a whirl. To find one, first establish a National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies as part of a National Action Plan to Build on Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security and play a leadership role in public debates in contemporary Islam. All the haram animals have been fed, and are ready to fly! |
| Posted by: Mullah Lodabullah 2007-01-28 20:52 |
| #4 He says the best way to deal with the group is to engage moderate Muslims to counter its views. Sounds like an idea. When someone finds a moderate Muslim, we'll give it a whirl. |
| Posted by: Rob Crawford 2007-01-28 19:40 |
| #3 how about ban, deport, and KILL the laggards? Does that work for ya, Dr. ? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-01-28 19:34 |
| #2 I agree with Ameer Ali. Cracking down on Muslims just encourages taquia and postpones the inevitable. |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2007-01-28 19:27 |
| #1 "it's There - fixed that for ya', Stepan. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2007-01-28 19:23 |