DAR AL HARB-AUSTRALIA: "THE BIG PROBLEM WITH US IS THAT WE ARE DIVIDED", TOO BAD THAT MOSLEMS DON'T RECOGNIZE THEIR JIHADIST NEEDS TO BE THE PROBLEM

Imams call for harmony
Richard Kerbaj
January 04, 2007

AN Islamic leader has called on Muslims to overcome their sectarian and ethnic rivalries and adopt a more "open-minded" approach to improving relationships with the wider community.
Prominent cleric Fehmi Naji el-Imam said Muslims needed to be proactive in improving the image of the religion and do more to promote unity.

And Sydney-based imam Khalil Shami said the onus was on Muslim spiritual leaders to speak in "one voice" to their community about the importance of integration and respecting Australian values.

The Melbourne and Sydney leaders have also called on the nation's 300,000 Muslims to approach the new year with a willingness to improve the image of Islam by strengthening communication with the Government and continuing to ensure the safety of the country.

"The big problem with us is that we are divided," Sheik Shami said. "But the imams have to be in front and they have to be united."

He said their message should be: "We are here to help, to communicate, to make our community, not only the Muslim community, but all of the community, stronger and to save this country that we live in."

Sheik Shami said the Muslim community was still reeling from the damage caused by Taj Din al-Hilali after The Australian in October exposed his Ramadan sermon in which he likened scantily dressed women to uncovered meat inviting sexual predators.

He said Sheik Hilali would be doing the community a favour if he stepped down as the nation's chief Muslim spiritual leader.

"I would like him to bring all the sheiks together and say: 'I've done my best and now it is your role (to take over)'," Sheik Shami said.

Sheik Fehmi, who was a senior member of John Howard's Muslim reference board, said Islamic leaders should address the community's needs rather than rely heavily on government assistance.

"For example, if the Government is going slow on teaching the imams in Australia they should put their sleeves up and do it themselves," said Sheik Fehmi in reference to a Howard government plan to set up an institute to train Islamic leaders.

Sheik Fehmi, the head of Preston Mosque in Melbourne's north, said communication was the only way to tap into the small section of the Muslim community that was resisting integration into the mainstream.

Pertinant Links:

1) Imams call for harmony