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My dad the grand mufti is misunderstood

Mar 14, 2004 8:19 am By Robert Spencer

14nat_daughterswide.jpeg
The Mufti’s daughters grin at dhimmi reporters

Now Sheikh Al-Hilali’s daughters have joined the PR campaign defending this poor, misunderstood man who said that September 11 was “God’s work” and spoke of a war against infidels. From the Sydney Morning Herald, with thanks to Kevin and Jean-Luc:

Ever since they can remember, the daughters of Australia’s Muslim leader have defended their father’s controversial and “misinterpreted” outbursts.

I wonder if they can ever remember a time when he was interpreted correctly.

Eldest daughter Shayma Al Hilaly, 24, says the man who has recently been condemned for a sermon describing September 11 as “God’s work against oppressors” is a peace-loving and encouraging father of four.

Grand Mufti Sheik Taj el-Din Al Hilaly has been making headlines since he arrived in Australia in 1983, but Shayma believes her father’s speeches, spoken in Arabic, are misunderstood and taken out of context.

But of course! When was a radical Muslim spokesman ever quoted “in context”?

“My dad is very straightforward and he just speaks from his heart, but he’s a man of peace and I could never imagine my dad saying anything like they think he has said,” Shayma said.

Of course. And don’t forget also, Shayma, that every terror-related arrest of any Muslim in a Western country is a manifestation of racism and anti-Muslim hatred, with evidence either trumped-up or the result of a simple misunderstanding — as in the Guantanamo fantasist Jamal al-Harith’s claim that he ventured “accidently” into Afghanistan.

The outspoken sheik arrived back in Sydney last week after visiting the Middle East. It was during his tour of the region that he delivered his latest, and allegedly mistranslated, sermon at a mosque in Lebanon, praising Arab martyrs and the September 11 attacks.

Look, send me the Arabic text. I’ll guarantee you an accurate translation. I am not a native speaker myself, but I know plenty of people who are. I have no idea why it’s so hard to get accurate translations of incriminating or inconvenient Arabic texts!

Shayma and her sister Asma blame the complexities of the Arabic language for the latest scandal surrounding their father.

“You cannot just interpret it, just word by word,” Asma said.

Sure. You can’t go by what he says, just word by word. You have to change it to what will be palatable to Western audiences.

“I can’t even understand him half the time when he talks Arabic.”

Asma, there could be other reasons for this.

Although they can make light of the situation, sometimes the sheik’s family can’t ignore the criticism.

His children are concerned about the toll the constant media pressure is having on their father, who underwent a triple heart bypass operation more than two years ago.

They also want the public to gain a greater understanding of their culture and not associate them with “shocking” terrorist attacks, such as Thursday’s bombing in Madrid.

Terrific. I won’t associate them as soon as they stop associating themselves. After all, only a Muslim group has claimed responsibility for the Madrid attacks. Their own father has, in plain words, praised 9/11 and jihad against Israel. And they want me not to associate them with terrorist attacks. Down boy! Be a good dhimmi! Sorry, no.

Despite the constant attention, Shayma believes her father should continue to lead Australia’s Muslim community.

“He might be 63, but I think he’s got the energy to keep going,” she said. “He has a lot of supporters out there and he would do it for them.”

Asma added: “It’s a 24-hour job. My mum often asks others ‘Have you seen my husband?’ “

Gee, that’s heartwarming.

Meanwhile, inconveniently for the sisters, another Australian Muslim has contradicted their claims of misunderstanding and mistranslation. From the Herald Sun, with thanks to Kevin:

But on ABC Radio National’s fine Religion Report this week, Sheik Fehmi, the Imam of the Preston mosque, would have none of it. Did he accept the excuses that Hilali was misunderstood or only reciting poetry, he was asked.

“I don’t buy that,” he replied with a laugh.

“Sheik Hilali, most of the time, he goes overboard in his statements, and sometimes there are a lot of contradictions and outrageous declarations.”

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Filed Under: Australia, claiming victim status


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