Anti-dhimmitude from the Howard government. “Mufti told to quit or leave,’ by Richard Kerbaj in The Australian, with thanks to Sr. Soph:
THE Howard Government has intensified its pressure on Australia’s most senior Islamic spiritual leader, Taj Din al-Hilali, demanding he consider leaving the country and step down from his position as mufti.
Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer yesterday expressed outrage at Sheik Hilali’s weekend visit to Tehran, during which he called on the Islamic world to unite behind the radical Iranian regime.
Muslim leaders from around Australia attacked the Egyptian-born cleric for becoming an “ongoing problem”.
And Australian Federal Police are examining whether to involve state-based counter-terrorism agencies in their investigation of allegations that Sheik Hilali diverted Australian-raised charity funds to terrorism supporters in Lebanon last year.
The Australian revealed yesterday that Sheik Hilali had been quoted in the Iranian media as calling on Muslims worldwide to serve in Iran’s “trenches” and not “kneel” to its enemies. It was the latest in a series of controversies that have dogged the mufti.
“The Australian community has lost patience with the sheik,” Mr Andrews said.
“The sheik needs to say if he wishes to continue as a citizen of Australia or reside in an alternate country.”