The content of this code of conduct will be all-important. It could be a genuine effort, or just more deception and window-dressing. “Code to keep radical imams in check,” from ABC.Net, with thanks to JE:
Members of the Prime Minister’s Muslim Advisory Council want clerics to abide by a code of conduct in a bid to rein in radical imams.
The council is working on a code of conduct for clerics, which it hopes to introduce next year.
Council spokesman Yasser Soliman says the guidelines are in response to concerns from the community….
The idea of a set of guidelines was first discussed at a summit of Muslim leaders that was held in August.
It has the backing of many moderate leaders but some imams are angry about the proposals, which include the monitoring of sermons.
This should be done by the government of Australia, if it is concerned about sedition.
However, Mr Soliman believes very few clerics will refuse to participate in the new scheme.
“We can’t enforce it,” he said.
“I think most clerics will be happy to be on it and most of them will be happy to register and contribute to it.
“Those that aren’t, when people are thinking of employing their services they’ll check the register and see well they’re self-appointed or they’re not recognised.”
Mr Soliman says the scheme will not further marginalise radical clerics.
“Part of the approach that is being discussed is to try and develop a dialogue where you bring down the temperature of, I guess, their preachings,” he said.
How? In any case, he’s right: it will not further marginalize radical clerics, because they are not any more likely to be the self-appointed types this article is concerned about than are more moderate clerics. The idea that only uneducated, self-appointed clerics are actually jihadists is yet another PC myth.
He denies the plan amounts to religious censorship.
“This happens in other religions as well,” he said.
“Similar education and upgrading of their education happens in Christian religion, rabbis go through similar things, so why should we be any different?”
You shouldn’t. In fact, your group should be subjected to greater scrutiny — not because of “racism” or “Islamophobia,” but because there are no Christian preachers or rabbis preaching hatred of and violence against people of another religions. But among Islamic clerics such preaching is so commonplace that it is scarcely even noticed anymore.