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| Down Under |
| Aussi Mullah Pleads: Join Teheran in the Trenches |
| 2007-04-08 |
| 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 its enemies. 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. They came as phony refugees, and accepted "settlement" funds. 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... |
| Posted by:Sneaze |
| #1 Like almost all islamic "holymen", he's a pussy. Lead from the front Taj!! Or, is allan calling everyone else, and you're just too important? |
| Posted by: anymouse 2007-04-08 19:56 |