So said Justice Megan Latham in the New South Wales Supreme Court. Why did it need to be said? Might some jurors have gotten the crazy idea from the contents of "Provisions on the Rules of Jihad - Short Judicial rulings and organisational instructions for fighters and Mujahideen against infidels" that there might be mainstream teachings in Islam that call for warfare against and the subjugation of infidels? And that in turn might start them wondering why the Islamic community in New South Wales is doing nothing to combat such teachings or call for their reform. And then that might start them wondering why the Australian government is doing next to nothing about the proliferation of such teachings.
Can't have all that. Better to advise the jurors that, contrary to what is as plain as the nose on their face, this has nothing to do with Islam.
"Islam not on trial, jury told," from The Australian, August 11 (thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist):
A JUDGE has told a jury that the Muslim religion is not on trial, after a man pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges.Bilal Saadallah Khazaal today pleaded not guilty to making a document connected with assistance in a terrorist act knowing of that connection, between September 20 and September 23, 2003 in Sydney.
The document is titled Provisions on the Rules of Jihad - Short Judicial rulings and organisational instructions for fighters and Mujahideen against infidels.
He also has pleaded not guilty to attempting to urge the commission by others of a terrorist offence, in Sydney and elsewhere in the world.
A jury of seven men and five women was empanelled at the start of Mr Khazaal's trial in the New South Wales Supreme Court today.
Justice Megan Latham told the jury: "The Muslim religion is not on trial here, ladies and gentlemen"....
Oh yes it is.
If the Muslim religion is not on trial, then I guess Jihad is legal in UK. They can't have it both ways.
Hey Spot On, it's an Australian trial.
However islam SHOULD be on trial world-wide. Then banned.
Hmmm, I wonder if that is because if it *WAS* on trial, it would be a slam-dunk guilty verdict, should the prosecutor be clued up and present the evidence out of the Koran and Hadiths, together with the implementation by Mussulmen both now and for the last 1400 years.
Of course, the Judge has to say that because otherwise that might be grounds for appeal, in that the argument would be made that the jury might otherwise have acquitted the accused, but for the odious nature of the religion.
However islam SHOULD be on trial world-wide. Then banned.
hear hear
* Looks like Justice Megan Latham is all about 'empowering women'- regardless of her bungles in the past.
She is another political (Labor) appointment...
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20050407016
Aren't they all, Sheikh? *sigh*
Down here in Melbournistan, we have Justice Bongiorno making the same silly noises:
http://www.theage.com.au/national/ignore-muslim-prejudice-terror-trial-jury-told-20080813-3uh5.html
L.Drummond
What will they do when pretty nearly every adult non-Muslim citizen in Australia who gets called up for jury duty turns out to have read the Qur'an, and visited jihadwatch.org at least once, and is capable of telling a hawk from a handsaw?
For my fellow Australians - and dedicated especially, with extreme sarcasm, to Justice Meg Latham. I have taken the liberty of updating the wording at certain points, in order to apply the poem more directly to our present predicament. sheik - you and other Australian posters, if you think you can offer a better wording (while retaining Dennis's inimitable style) feel free.
sheik - I know you're musically inclined - you could probably make up a new tune for it.
Let's get the dust off this one and start circulating it.
http://www.middlemiss.org/lit/authors/denniscj/backblockother/australaise.html
A Marching Song
Air - Onward Christian Soldiers
Fellers of Australier,
Blokes an' coves an' coots,
Shift yer --- carcases,
Move yer --- boots.
Gird yer --- loins up,
Get yer --- gun,
Set the --- enermy
An' watch the blighters run.
CHORUS:
Get a --- move on,
Have some --- sense.
Learn the --- art of
Self de- --- -fence.
Have some --- brains be-
Neath yer --- lids.
An' swing a --- sabre
Fer the missus an' the kids.
Chuck supportin' --- posts,
An' strikin' --- lights,
Support a ---- fam'ly an'
Strike fer yer --- rights.
CHORUS:
Get a --- move on, etc.
Joy is --- fleetin',
Life is --- short.
Wot's the use uv wastin' it
All on --- sport?
Hitch yer --- tip-dray
To a --- star.
Let yer --- watchword be
"Australi- --- -ar!"
CHORUS:
Get a --- move on, etc.
'0w's the --- nation
Goin' to ixpand
'Lest us --- blokes an' coves
Lend a --- 'and?
'Eave yer --- apathy
Down a --- chasm;
'Ump yer --- burden with
Enthusi- --- -asm.
CHORUS:
Get a --- move on, etc.
W'en yer brother kafir
Calls yer native land
Take a --- rifle
In yer --- 'and
Keep yer --- upper lip
Stiff as stiff kin be,
An' speed a --- bullet for
Post- --- erity.
CHORUS:
Get a --- move on, etc.
W'en the --- bugle
Sounds "Ad- --- -vance"
Don't be like a flock er sheep
In a --- trance
Biff the --- 'prophet'
Where it don't agree
Spifler- --- -cate him
To Eternity.
CHORUS:
Get a --- move on, etc.
Fellers of Australier,
Cobbers, chaps an' mates,
Hear the --- Jihad
Kickin' at the gates!
Blow the --- bugle,
Beat the --- drum,
Upper-cut an' out the cow
To kingdom- --- -come!
CHORUS:
Get a --- move on,
Have some --- sense.
Learn the --- art of
Self de- --- -fence.
(With some acknowledgements to W.T. Goodge.)
Footnote to 1915 reissue - Where a dash (---) replaces a missing word, the adjective "blessed" may be interpolated. In cases demanding great emphasis, the use of the word "blooming" is permissible. However, any other word may be used that suggests itself as suitable.
"Den"
The Bulletin, 12 November 1908, Red page
Note: Dennis acknowledges W.T. Goodge at the end of this poem. The piece he was referring to was The Great Australian Adjective.