MUSLIM groups are distancing themselves from the latest controversial comments from mufti Sheik Taj al-Din al-Hilali.
Australia's mufti said in an interview on Egyptian television that Australian Muslims were more entitled to the country than those with a convict heritage
Kuranda Seyit, executive director of the Forum on Australia's Islamic Relations (FAIR), said the comments were the sheik's extreme personal opinions and did not represent the views of the majority of the Muslim community.
"I would like to reiterate to all Australians, including our people of Anglo-Saxon heritage, that there is no substance to the idea that Muslims have more of a right to Australia than the early settlers," Mr Seyit said.
"We are all Australian and we should all respect and support one another as Australians."
Mr Seyit said he was saddened the mufti had made more divisive comments and suggested the Lebanese community consider "sending him out to an early pasture".
"We are all just shell-shocked. Muslims just want to get along and be a part of the nation, not as outsiders whom others only see with disdain," he said.
The president of the Muslim Women's National Network of Australia, Aziza Abdel Halim also voiced her disapproval.
"Unfortunately, the sheik does not understand Australia's history as many of the early Australians were good and loyal nation-builders," Ms Halim said.
I believe them, NOT ! ! !
***UPDATE***UPDATE***UPDATE***UPDATE***
Muslim cleric deems bikini protest 'crazy'
Cairo - The Mufti of Australia Sheikh Taj Din al-Hilali has mocked the women's bikini rally planned for January 26 in front of his mosque, the pan-Arab al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper reported Friday.
Egyptian-born al-Hilali said in an interview with al-Sahrq al-Awsat that the protest was "a form of craziness."
"As I believe in Muslim women's right to wear the veil, I don't interfere with Australian women's right to wear bikinis," he said.
"But it is an outfit worn on the beach not to protest in front of a mosque."
Al-Hilali made international headlines last year when he said that women who don't wear the veil are like "uncovered meat," inviting rapists.
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Pertinent Links:
1) Muslims distance themselves from sheik
2) "Uncovered Meat"
October 27, 2006
October 27, 2006
October 30, 2006
October 31, 2006
October 31, 2006 (Amnesty International Chimes In)
October 31, 2006 (Support for the "Uncovered Meat" Imam)
November 11, 2006 (Moslems Upset with Scrutiny Leveled at the "Uncovered Meat" Comments")
3) "White Convicts"
January 11, 2007
January 12, 2007
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