SHEIK Taj al-Din al-Hilali today denied that he was forced to sneak back into the country when he arrived in Sydney last night - just in time for Australia Day. The sheik avoided waiting media at the airport yesterday, and was ushered through a VIP exit after his plane touched down. | He's a VIP? |
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But the mufti's spokesman, Keysar Trad, today said he had simply followed the advice of uniformed officers who were at the airport. "I don't believe he snuck in," he said. "I spoke to him last night. He said it was a long, tiring trip and he had been advised by officers at the airport on the best way to come out, via discreet exits. The mufti took their advice."
Mr Trad said Sheik Hilali, who was travelling with his family, would conduct Friday prayers at the Lakemba mosque in southwest Sydney tomorrow. "Health permitting, that's what's likely to happen. He's been away for three months and everyone wants to hear his voice, to bask in his spirituality, as well as to receive comments on the present situation."
During his absence, Sheik Hilali sparked outrage in Australia with comments in an interview on Egyptian TV. He called Westerners liars and said that Muslims were more entitled to live in Australia than the descendents of Anglo-Saxons sent here as convicts.
The comments followed the stir he caused last year when he compared immodestly dressed women to "uncovered meat".
Senior politicians from both the Labor and Liberal parties reacted to the latest outrage by urging him to stay away from Australia if he didn't like it.
The mufti has also made headlines in recent days over suggestions he would challenge Premier Morris Iemma for the Lakemba seat in the New South Wales state election. A spokesman later clarified that the plan was to recruit and endorse Muslim candidates in at least three western Sydney seats in the NSW Parliament, though Mr Iemma said he was keen to take on Sheik Hilali himself.
The mufti's plan was also described by one Islamic leader as "about as helpful as Pauline Hanson getting back into politics".
Despite the controversy he generates, Sheik Hilali regularly says that he loves Australia.
Mr Trad said he was keen to address national issues now he was back in the country. The mufti planned to speak on the water crisis and a wide range of issues, he said. "It's a big issue for us. We 'll do what we do best, pray for the water shortage to be alleviated."
Mr Trad also said Sheik Hilali hoped that politicians would abandon their "Islamophobic platform" for Australia Day. "I wish that politicians would take advantage of Australia Day to reaffirm the rights of every Australian citizen. But that's a big call for politicians, especially."