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Down Under
Amnesty chief says Sheikh doesn't deserve to lead Muslims
2006-11-01
Not that her opinion counts, she being "meat" and all.
Amnesty International's first female Muslim secretary-general, Irene Khan, says a Sydney Islamic cleric does not deserve the privilege of leadership after a comment comparing unveiled women to "uncovered meat". Ms Khan says Sheikh Taj el-Din Al Hilaly's views are not representative of the majority of Muslim people and it is up to Muslim communities to take action.

She told ABC TV's Lateline program says it is time for the debate to move on. "I think people like him should not be given the privilege of being considered as leaders," she said. "Because the question on part of the Muslim community - and there is a question on the part of the larger community - as to how much space do you give to views that reflect only a very narrow part of the community?" She says Muslim communities should take their own action. "I think a lot of the responsibility lies with the Muslim communities themselves and they need to rise to that responsibility here and take action. At the same time the Government should not target or demonise the Muslim community itself because of what one individual is saying and there is a sense among the Muslims that this man does not represent them any more than [former One Nation MP] Pauline Hanson represented Australian views."
Posted by:Fred

#8  Seeing that she IS muslim, and DOES live in Australia, might we not assume that she is making a judgement based on her own observations, and not by examining outcries in the press?

I'll refrain from further comment until I see what happens at al-Hilali's support rally. That the rally is happening at all is significant in and of itself.
Posted by: Zenster   2006-11-01 16:26  

#7   "She says that, "there is a sense among the Muslims that this man does not represent them". This most certainly does not seem to be the case. "

Seeing that she IS muslim, and DOES live in Australia, might we not assume that she is making a judgement based on her own observations, and not by examining outcries in the press?
Posted by: liberalhawk   2006-11-01 15:55  

#6  "It suggests that the speaker in question somehow believes that the world is, or ought to be, fair."

Id be most surprised to find a leader of Amnesty International who doesnt believe, or at least claim to believe, that the world ought to be fair.
Posted by: liberalhawk   2006-11-01 15:53  

#5  It's good that Ms Khan spoke out. It's just interesting that she/Amnesty International waited this long to say something.
Posted by: Pappy   2006-11-01 09:47  

#4  "Deserve" is a strange word to use when talking about leadership, especially when discussing non-elected "community leaders". They either are, or they aren't, leaders. "Deserving" reeks of paternalism.

So, while the guy in question is a turd, and a waste of a perfectly good turban, I have to object to this notion of just deserts. It suggests that the speaker in question somehow believes that the world is, or ought to be, fair. Which is obnoxious in and of itself.
Posted by: Mitch H.   2006-11-01 07:58  

#3  I have come to the conclusion that the so called "moderates" dont talk out either they are too scared or my personal favourite that deep down they believe in what the extremist demand ie Sharia, islamic domination worldwide etc.
Posted by: Cheregum Crelet7867   2006-11-01 05:13  

#2  I guess al-Hilali doesn't exactly meat with her approval.

She says Muslim communities should take their own action. "I think a lot of the responsibility lies with the Muslim communities themselves and they need to rise to that responsibility here and take action. At the same time the Government should not target or demonise the Muslim community itself because of what one individual is saying and there is a sense among the Muslims that this man does not represent them any more than [former One Nation MP] Pauline Hanson represented Australian views."

Oz Rantburgers, how about it, did the Australian public loudly decry the policies of Pauline Hanson?

It is encouraging to note how Khan lobs the ball into the Muslims' court by noting how "a lot of the responsibility lies with the Muslim communities themselves and they need to rise to that responsibility here and take action". Less encouraging is how Ms. Khan strays from an otherwise good stance on one point. She says that, "there is a sense among the Muslims that this man does not represent them". This most certainly does not seem to be the case. The outcry against al-Hilali has been minimal, as witnessed by his refusal to step down. The rally being planned in al-Hilali's support certainly indicates a strong current of support within the Muslim community.

I suppose we should be glad that Amnesty International has appointed a Muslim woman who is not an apologist or appeaser. More heartening is that Ms. Khan will be in the catbird seat when it comes to flaying Islam alive over its policy of Abject Gender Apartheid. It only remains to be seen if Amnesty International will have the moral conviction to finally take on Islam for its vast catalog of human rights abuses.


Posted by: Zenster   2006-11-01 01:12  

#1  This is the kind of action we've been looking for. And, if you get the chance, kick this old bugger right in the balls.
Posted by: SpecOp35   2006-11-01 00:23  

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