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| Down Under |
| Australian govt asks Muslims to replace leader |
| 2007-04-10 |
| The Australian government increased pressure on local Muslims on Monday to dismiss their controversial leader after he reportedly expressed support for the fundamentalist Islamic government in Iran. The Egyptian-born mufti Sheikh Taj Aldin al-Hilali asked Muslims of the world to unite behind Iran during a visit to Tehran last week. This was stated amid tension over the Iranian government’s nuclear ambitions and the capture of 15 British sailors, local media reported. The cleric had already sparked controversy by describing scantily clad women as “uncovered meat” that invited rape and by mocking the convict ancestry of most white Australians. An Australian newspaper reported that Hilali was quoted in Iran, as saying Muslims should serve in Iranian “trenches”. Australia Foreign Minister Alexander Downer asked Australia’s Muslims to discharge Hilali, describing him as “a massive embarrassment”. “The man travels the world making completely absurd and incredible comments,” Downer told reporters. “This reflects on Australian Muslims and on Australia. My view is that he should be replaced as the leader of Australia’s Islamic community by a moderate and reasonable person.” |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 This reflects on Australian Muslims and on Australia. Hokey smokes, Bullwinkle! A politician who is willing to attribute direct blame upon the local Muslim community? With the sort of courage Downer is displaying, he must be holding at least three pairs down south. Mebbe he could loan George a set? My own reading of this still damns Australia's Muslim community pretty thoroughly. Never forget that it was last October that Hilali gave his "uncovered meat" speech. It took nigh well half an entire year for Australia's ummah to determine that they were not being well-represented. That alone is pretty damning. It's far more likely they have merely decided that getting their collective cover blown by Hilali so loudly and thoroughly wasn't that much fun after all. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-04-10 01:37 |