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”….