GOVERNMENT security agencies are reviewing the terrorist status of Islamic extremists allegedly distributing pamphlets calling for a holy war to destroy Israel.Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said Australian security agencies examined the group, Hizb ut-Tahir, when it came to their notice a year ago, and considered whether to list it as a proscribed terrorist organisation. "And the decision that was taken by competent agencies at that time was there was insufficient evidence for the legal criteria for proscription to be satisfied," he said today.
With alleged links to the London bombings, Hizb ut-Tahir is reportedly distributing pamphlets through suburban Sydney calling for a holy war. The leaflets call for a jihad to destroy Israel and use key dates in the Muslim calendar to signal the coming destruction of the Jewish state, News Limited newspapers have reported.
The group is banned in Germany and British Prime Minister Tony Blair has called for it to be outlawed in the UK. But it remains legal in Australia despite calls for it to be banned.
"I am certainly aware of the additional material that has been circulated." Mr Ruddock said. "I've drawn it to the attention of competent agencies and if they form a view that that alters their opinion as to whether or not it constitutes a terrorist organisation, that matter can be brought to our attention and we can have a look at it."
NSW Premier Morris Iemma earlier urged the extremists to leave that sort of hatred overseas. Mr Iemma said legitimate debate, free speech and opinions were welcome in Australia. "However, the sort of inflammatory language about conflicts in wars overseas, leave them behind," he said. "Leave the conflicts, the old wars and the hatred behind."
| You're asking them to leave the Master Religion™ behind and become Aussies. I don't think that's going to happen. |