Hilali's backing for Iran
[ Follow-Ups ]
[ Post Followup ]
[ Public Message Forum ]
Posted by Richard Kerbaj, The Australian News on 16:46:10 2007/04/08
In Reply to:
Iran finds weak West posted by Salim Mansur in Toronto Sun
Hilali's backing for Iran
* Richard Kerbaj
* April 09, 2007
AUSTRALIA'S most senior Islamic cleric, Taj Din al-Hilali, called on the Muslim world to unite behind the radical Iranian regime and to serve in its "trenches" in published comments during a visit to Tehran last weekend.
As Tehran was involved in a tense standoff with Western powers over the detention of 15 British naval personnel seized after they were accused of trespassing in its waters last month, the Iranian media were using Sheik Hilali's quotes in a propaganda drive.
The controversial Australian mufti was quoted as saying that the global Islamic nation would never "kneel" to itsenemies.
In reports published in Iran on Saturday, Sheik Hilali was quoted as saying that Muslims needed to overcome their sectarian divisions that have led to much "bloodletting" in Iraq.
Leaders in Australia's Muslim community have attacked the Egyptian-born cleric over his reported comments, saying he had no authority to speak on their behalf.
The comments will increase the pressure on the mufti, who caused a national furore last year when he compared scantily clad women with uncovered meat.
He is under investigation by police over allegations that he passed money raised by members of the Muslim community in Australia to supporters of al-Qa'ida and Hezbollah's terrorist arm during a visit to Lebanon lastyear.
The Australian revealed last week the Sydney-based Lebanese Muslim Association had raised $70,000 in conjunction with other Islamic bodies following the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon. The money was earmarked for war victims.
The weekend reports of Sheik Hilali praising Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's hardline Islamic regime follow his January outburst on Egyptian television when he described Westerners as "the biggest liars".
"Anglo-Saxons came to Australia in chains, while we (Muslims) paid our way and come in freedom. We are more Australian than them," he told Egyptian television.
In Tehran, the mufti was billed as a celebrity by the Islamic Republic's newsagency.
"The mufti of Australia has called on the Islamic world to stand in the trenches with the Islamic Republic of Iran which possesses the might and power," Iran's al-Alam News reported on its website in Arabic on Saturday.
It reported that Sheik Hilali - who was in Tehran for the three-day International Islamic Unity forum - told Alalam TV on Friday following the conference opening that he was committed to the unity of the Islamic nation.
"(Islamic unity) is what has brought all participants together at this Islamic unity conference, to show the whole world that they are dedicated to the one God and dedicated to Islamic unity and the Islamic nation will not kneel in front of its enemies, never," Sheik Hilali was reported as saying.
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock yesterday told The Australian he was concerned about Sheik Hilali's reported comments.
"I would be concerned if any Australian was offering support and succour to Iran, particularly as it is intent on pursuing the development of the nuclear fuel cycle outside international scrutiny," Mr Ruddock said.
The Ahmadinejad Government has become a source of growing concern for Western leaders because of its nuclear ambitions and incidents such as the capture of the British sailors.
The Australian understands that Sheik Hilali remained in Iran yesterday but will soon travel to Turkey to attend another Islamic conference.
Prominent Sydney-based imam Khalil Shami said Sheik Hilali was further damaging the image of local Muslims by wrongly expressing their commitment to the "radical" Iranian regime.
"As an Australian Muslim, it's very worrying to me that he's speaking on (our) behalf," he said. "Because really, the Iranian people don't know that we're not behind Hilali. And if you ask Sunni Muslims, you will find that 99 per cent are not with Iran. So this hurts us and worries us."
Another Islamic leader, Mustapha Kara-Ali, a former member of John Howard's Muslim Community Reference Group, warned that Sheik Hilali's support for Iran would be potentially used by extremists in Sydney to recruit alienated young Muslims.
"Hilali's new (declaration) will play into the hands of underground extremists in Sydney's southwest who will use this edict as ammunition to further recruit disenfranchised Muslim youth."
Sheik Hilali's position remains under a cloud, with a significant section of the Australian Muslim community wanting him deposed.
But the new president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Ikebal Patel, dismissed reports that Sheik Hilali had been sacked as mufti.
"No, we haven't sacked the mufti ... (Sheik Hilali) is still the mufti," he said. "The position of mufti itself is very much there and the ... incumbent, while not being paid for the position, is still the holder of the position."
The federation said it was up to the Australian National Imams Council to decide the fate of the mufti, with a decision expected by the end of June.
Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd said yesterday most Australian Muslims would like to see the controversial cleric sacked: "You cannot have someone who defends gang rapists being the mufti of Australia."
Follow Ups:
Post a Followup
[ Follow Ups ]
[ Post Followup ]
[ Public Message Forum ]