| Submit your comments on this article |
| Down Under |
| Resolve disputes or risk backlash: Howard |
| 2006-10-27 |
| AUSTRALIA'S Islamic community must resolve the dispute surrounding leading cleric Taj Aldin Alhilali or risk a lasting backlash against Muslims, Prime Minister John Howard says. Muslim leaders decided last night not to sack Sheik Alhilali, the mufti of Australia, for comparing women to "uncovered meat" and suggesting women who did not wear the hijab invited sexual assault. The mufti made the comments to a Ramadan sermon at Lakemba mosque in Sydney. Mr Howard said today the episode was a crucial test for Australia's Muslim community. "It's not for the government to say who runs a mosque, or who's an archbishop, or who's a rabbi," he told Southern Cross Broadcasting. "What I am saying to the Islamic community is this: If they do not resolve this matter, it could do lasting damage to the perceptions of that community within the broader Australian community. "If it is not resolved, then unfortunately people will run around saying 'Well the reason they didn't get rid of him is because secretly some of them support his views'." Mr Howard said he could not sack the mufti because Australia was a secular country that observed the separation of church and state. However, he did not want the Islamic community to be an object of "criticism and derision". "We who are not of that faith have an obligation to embrace them and to treat them as part of our community," he said. "They have an obligation to understand that it is an exercise in self-discipline for them to deal with these sorts of issues." Mr Howard said most Australians, including most Muslims, were appalled by Sheik Alhilali's comments. "I think what he's done is so unacceptable and so out of line with not only mainstream Australian opinion but .. mainstream Muslim opinion," he said. But the government was not in a position to deport the mufti. "It is a matter of interesting political record how a decision some 20 years ago by a former Labor immigration minister about his citizenship was overturned by the Hawke and Keating government," Mr Howard said. "But anyway, that's history now. He's an Australian citizen. I think he does have citizenship of another country as well - as do four or five million other Australians. "It's not for me to deport people. This is a democracy. "You do not arbitrarily deport people from Australia who are Australian citizens. "That only happens as the result of a long process and as a result of somebody being convicted of an offence." |
| Posted by:ed |
| #10 Actually, a little Candid Camera in the mosque might be useful. "Smile -- you're on Fatwa Photos!" |
| Posted by: Darrell 2006-10-27 17:07 |
| #9 *cue Jeopardy theme* *ding* "time's up. Your answer?" |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-10-27 17:00 |
| #8 That's because the vast majority of Australians are decent, law-abiding, and patient people. They believe in the rule of law and fair play. Of that I have no doubt, and which I certainly admire them for, not to mention their incredible restraint in the face of endless provocation as well. The Lakemba mosque has been nothing but a cesspool of terrorist sympathizers and antagonistic Islamic propaganda. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2006-10-27 15:35 |
| #7 I'm amazed that the Lakemba mosque is still standing. That's because the vast majority of Australians are decent, law-abiding, and patient people. They believe in the rule of law and fair play. Not to say that there is a limit to their patience. If the time comes when resolution by force of arms is required, I have no doubt that the matter will be settled according to the law and the weight of superior firepower. |
| Posted by: mrp 2006-10-27 14:46 |
| #6 I'm amazed that the Lakemba mosque is still standing. Howard is spot on. He has thrown the ball into the Australian Muslims' court and they had best send it straight back without any spin on it. If they go the usual taqqiya route, all hell is going to break loose. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2006-10-27 14:36 |
| #5 the police can only do so much. In my opinion, this will escalate, with many young girls getting raped. The mufti's words will inspire the Muslim men that it is ok. Then there will be Muslim girls getting raped for retribution. Then ...heck I don't know. But the Muslims will ultimately be the losers in this because it will show very clearly that they don't have it in their culture to stand up and do what is right. |
| Posted by: anon 2006-10-27 14:00 |
| #4 The police were guarding all the muslims coming to prayers today (what a joke) |
| Posted by: Glinegum Glerelet8307 2006-10-27 10:24 |
| #3 The Aussie Beach will rise in anger. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-10-27 08:57 |
| #2 John Howard is a Hero. |
| Posted by: closedanger@hotmail.com 2006-10-27 02:05 |
| #1 1) What he said was VERY offensive 2) Strip him of citizenship 3) Deport |
| Posted by: SpecOp35 2006-10-27 00:59 |