An Islamic preacher in Adelaide who called for the death of all Buddhists and Hindus should be kicked out of the country, says the head of Australia's Buddhist community. Australian Buddhist Councils Federation president Kim Hollow said that comments in a video sermon by Sheikh Sharif Hussein urging Allah to kill Buddhists and Hindus "to the very last one" were deplorable and incited hatred and retribution. Hollow said most Muslims in Australia were "peace-loving people" - but urged officials to apply the maximum penalty if the sheikh was charged for the statements.
He said, "Whatever remedies are available through the law should be applied. People who cannot peacefully coexist in this country . . . should be deported. We condemn it, it's totally unacceptable . . . these comments are just as hurtful to the community as physical crimes. We encourage peace-Âloving Muslims to deal with these people seriously and try to shut them down."
The South Australian Islamic Society has repeatedly condemned the comments and tried to distance itself from the sheikh. The society's treasurer, Waleed Alkhazrajy, said, "The virtue of tolerance and acceptance of people from different religious and political affiliations will always guide the efforts of the Muslim community in their endeavour to continue to contribute to and be an essential part of the wider Australian community." .
This week by the Middle East Media Research Institute published footage showing the Tunisian-born preacher calling Australian soldiers "Crusader pigs" and attacking Jews, former prime minister John Howard and US President Barack Obama.
Police are investigating a video of his sermon for potential "hate crimes". Friends claim it was a heavily edited recording taken from several sermons and "grossly" misrepresented him.
| Hmm. Where have I heard that before? |
The Islamic Da'wah Centre was critical of coverage of the issue. A statement on its website said, "We . . . do not condone or support any form of violence or hatred against any group of people whether in Australia or abroad. We condemn any form of sensational fearmongering which is passed off as journalism in the mainstream media."
The Sunday Mail will pay for a one-way ticket back to Tunisia for the sheikh if he calls us on 8206 2000.