Keysar Trad spreads some soothing syrup to make up for Bashir’s faux pas. “Bashir’s call to Islam ‘in bad taste,'” from NineMSN, with thanks to Jimmy:
Comments by Abu Bakar Bashir urging grieving Australian families of the Bali bombings to convert to Islam are in “bad taste”, an Australian Muslim spokesman says.
The radical Muslim cleric, who was released from an Indonesian prison on Wednesday, said those killed in the 2002 Bali bombings had been destined to die by God and their grieving families should now convert to Islam to find “salvation and peace”.
He also called on Prime Minister John Howard to convert to Islam or face eternity in hell.
Islamic Friendship Association spokesman Keysar Trad on Thursday said Bashir’s comments had understandably upset Australians.
“I think these comments are in very bad taste and I can understand that the families would be incensed that he could be making comments of this nature,” Mr Trad told AAP.
“They have lost their loved ones in this tragedy and we should be showing them understanding and support rather than talking about their loss in this manner.”
Mr Trad said he was surprised by Bashir’s outburst and the cleric was not showing “sensitivity”.
“As a Muslim I am personally hurt on behalf of the families and I feel a sense of sadness for their loss,” he said.
“For him (Bashir) to come out and make these comments I just find he is not passing on the right message.
“I am surprised that he made these comments but I do not believe they will threatened the idea of peace between religions.”
Mr Trad said Islam was “a serious religion” that did not “take other people’s pain lightly”.
All right. Then I trust Mr. Trad is working hard to make sure that no Muslims in Australia believe the way Abu Bakar Bashir does. Isn’t he?