AUSTRALIA: MOSLEMS UPSET WITH THE SCRUTINY LEVELED AT "UNCOVERED MEAT" COMMENTARY

Muslims call for an end to sheik saga
November 2, 2006 - 10:54AM

Muslim community groups banded together to call for an end to "overblown" public scrutiny of Sheik Taj Aldin Alhilali's comments on sexual attacks.

They accused media and politicians of using the scandal surrounding the mufti to vilify Australian Muslims.

A statement signed by 34 Muslim community groups from across Australia said the furore should have ended after Sheik Alhilali's recent unreserved apology for referring to women as "uncovered meat" who provoked sexual attacks.

"The Muslim community is always open to frank and robust debate that is free from slander and vilification, but what we have witnessed over the last week is nothing more than hysteria and sensationalism," the statement said.

"We believe that the public scrutiny of this matter should have ended with the sheik's apology.

"Instead it is clear that certain sections of the media and political establishment have used this incident as an opportunity to vilify the Australian Muslim community."

The statement, which was not signed by major groups such as the Lebanese Muslim Association or any of the state or national Islamic councils, compared the continued criticism of the sheik to the mainstream responses the Pope's recent highly controversial description of aspects of Islam as "evil and inhuman".

"Prime Minister John Howard said that the Pope had 'expressed his regrets and ... we should really move on'," the statement said.

"It is unfortunate that the Prime Minister's advice was not heeded in this case. The verbal attacks of Sheik Alhilali have been disproportionate and unjustifiably prolonged."

The statement urged media and politicians to heed the advice of Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty and exercise moderation in covering the sheik's comments.

Mr Keelty last week warned such coverage risked creating a generation of Australians with a bias against Muslims.

"We believe that the Muslim community should be allowed to deal with the ramifications of the incident without interference from people who only wish to promote hostility and incite hatred towards our community," the statement said.

"Finally, we consider this matter to be closed."

Signatories of the statement included the Australian Islamic College, Belmore Islamic Centre, Federation of Australian Muslim Students and Youth, Islamic Friendship Association of Australia and the United Muslim Women Association.

Pertinent Links:

1) Muslims call for an end to sheik saga