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| Down Under |
| Australians 'worst Muslim haters' |
| 2007-04-07 |
| Firebrand Islamic convert Yvonne Ridley has accused Australians of being among the worst Muslim haters in the world. As millions of Australians celebrated Easter, they were branded Islamophobes by the outspoken British woman. She believes Australian attitudes to Islam are hardening faster than any other nation. "I'm deeply shocked," Ms Ridley said. "It's not what it was when I was last here three years ago. I've visited over 20 different countries in the last three years and Australia is the most shocking in terms of deterioration." Ms Ridley, 48, will speak about Islamophobia today at a controversial Muslim conference at Melbourne University. Thousands are expected to attend a series of lectures over the weekend. Organisers laughed off suggestions the First Annual Australian Islamic Conference was staged over Easter to insult Christians. "We certainly meant no insensitivity," organiser Adel Salman said. "We weren't making any particular statement or any religious statement. It was purely a convenient time to schedule the conference." Two controversial sheiks have been refused visas to speak at the conference. Several politicians also wanted Ms Ridley banned. The former investigative reporter was briefly held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001 and converted to Islam two years later. She discourages British Muslims from co-operating with anti-terrorism police and she refers to suicide bombings as "martyrdom operations". But Ms Ridley dismissed objections to her presence by Australian politicians. "It's entertaining but there is an election in the air," she said. The conference, staged by non-profit Muslim group Mercy Mission, hit the headlines when the Herald Sun revealed that radical Muslim academic Sheik Bilal Philips had been refused a visa for security reasons. He has been linked to the 1993 World Trade Centre bombings and has described US-led Western culture as an enemy of Islam. A visa for another Islamic academic, Sheik Jaafer Idris, was not processed in time. But Mercy Mission's Adel Salman vowed to bring the scholars to Australia in the future. "We hope that one day we'll be able to bring Jaafer Idris and Dr Bilal Philips to Australia," Mr Salman said. "That's certainly our hope but whether or not that happens is up to the Australian Government." Mr Salman believes their rejection was politically motivated. "I believe (Sheik Philips) was rejected because he was seen as a threat to Australia," he said. "On that basis we don't agree with the decision because we don't see that he is a threat to Australia or Australians." Sheik Philips was named an "unindicted co-conspirator" in the first World Trade Centre attack in 1993, that killed six and injured 1000. But Mr Salman described him as a wise and eminent Muslim thinker. "We've done our own research and investigation, and we're very confident that he's not in any way linked to any such (terrorist) activity. In fact, he's a man of peace and moderation and is very well qualified. "We believe he is one of the foremost academics on Islam in the world today and just through sheer knowledge and wisdom we believe he would have brought a lot to this conference." |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #19 If world renowned Looney Tune Yvonne Fuckin Ridley's on your case, you must be doing something right... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2007-04-07 21:57 |
| #18 well while being a prison colony of the british you got alot of gene pools in Australia and the aboriginy (sp) colonies that are pretty smart. Even after the beer as you can tell by my post |
| Posted by: sinse 2007-04-07 20:28 |
| #17 Get out of my country bitc* |
| Posted by: Oztralian 2007-04-07 18:39 |
| #16 Sounds better if you call it "Best Muslim Haters" - oh and I'd like to get ranked personally. |
| Posted by: jds 2007-04-07 17:54 |
| #15 She discourages British Muslims from co-operating with anti-terrorism police and she refers to suicide bombings as "martyrdom operations". Can't she be prosecuted for advocating violence? Put her in a jail cell where the toilet faces Mecca. |
| Posted by: Elmereter Hupash6222 2007-04-07 17:28 |
| #14 How could the timing of this conference be anything BUT an insult to Christians? I'm insulted. |
| Posted by: Elmereter Hupash6222 2007-04-07 17:25 |
| #13 He, he, he. |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2007-04-07 15:29 |
| #12 she refers to suicide bombings as "martyrdom operations". What can you say about someone in an open, and free society that preaches this? |
| Posted by: anymouse 2007-04-07 15:00 |
| #11 Zenster... I second your opinion! Blackvenom-2001 |
| Posted by: Blackvenom-2001 2007-04-07 12:49 |
| #10 Not to worry, Zenster. Rantburgian citizenship still guarantees a light-year advance on the Australians. |
| Posted by: Excalibur 2007-04-07 12:18 |
| #9 I had no idea that Australians were so smart and perceptive, although it is well known that their noses are exceptional when smelling the bullsh*t in the Ms. Ridley's of the world. Insulting Australians and making them angry is not smart, Ms. Ridley. |
| Posted by: whatadeal 2007-04-07 12:04 |
| #8 Speaking as a patriotic American, I personally resent Australia being out in the lead like this. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-04-07 11:12 |
| #7 Since they believe in "Forced Conversion" grab them and baptise them, be sure to take video, release them, publicise the video, and they're doomed (Remember their Religion does NOT allow them to leave or convert, it"s a death sentence if they do.) |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2007-04-07 09:54 |
| #6 This cityslicker appreciates RedNeck's comment. We need to send Ann Coulter over there to convert them to Christianity or beat them to death one by one with a dijiridoo [sic?] |
| Posted by: covertfloridian 2007-04-07 09:44 |
| #5 Good on ya, Diggers! |
| Posted by: Mac 2007-04-07 09:42 |
| #4 Yes, When Muslims make a habit of raping beachgoers it DOES tend to upset folks. You want to be accepted? Not hated for your actions? then dangle a few of your offenders on lampposts, believe me, that will be respected, not condemned. Just be very sure that the REAL rapists dangle. Actions speak far louder than words. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2007-04-07 09:38 |
| #3 Aussies woke up before America, but when America comes fully awake then you will be in deep sh*t. |
| Posted by: djohn66 2007-04-07 09:01 |
| #2 "It's not what it was when I was last here three years ago. I've visited over 20 different countries in the last three years and Australia is the most shocking in terms of deterioration." It is called waking up. |
| Posted by: Excalibur 2007-04-07 08:45 |
| #1 "Shut up, uncovered meat!" |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-04-07 08:15 |