Asia-Pacific News
Islamic cleric accused of inciting terrorism in Australia
Jan 18, 2007, 5:55 GMT
Sydney - There were calls Thursday for the Australian government to take legal action against a Sydney cleric who labelled Jews pigs and urged Muslim children to die for their religion.
Sheik Feiz Mohammed, head of the so-called Global Islamic Youth Centre, was born in Australia but is currently in Lebanon, the homeland of his parents.
'We want to have children and offer them as soldiers defending Islam,' Sheik Mohammed says in video discs on sale in Australia and Britain. 'Teach them this: There is nothing more beloved to me than wanting to die as a mujahid (holy warrior).'
Opposition Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd said the calls were an incitement to terrorism. 'The attorney general should now be examining what action can be taken under Australian law against Sheik Mohammed,' Rudd told reporters.
The government-sponsored Community Relations Commission called for the cleric to be charged over his recorded comments. 'The public prosecutor, the federal prosecutor, should really have a close look at what is being conveyed by this guy and whether it's in breach of any laws and he should be charged,' commission chairman Stepan Kerkyasharian said.
Mohammed caused controversy last year when he told a congregation of more than 1,000 Muslims gathered in Sydney that rape was the fault of women.
'A victim of rape every minute somewhere in the world,' the cleric said. 'Why? No one to blame but herself.'
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
page: 1
YES I AGREE.LET HIM STAY WHERE HE IS.THIS MAN IS FULL OF HATE.i KNOW OF OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN DEPORTED FOR LESS,BUT UNFORTUNETLY THIS IDOT IS BORN HERE.HE HAS NO RESPECT FOR US,SO WHY DONT THEY CANCEL HIS VISA,AND LET HIM ROT THERE.
As a 70 yo Australian Christian, the beliefs I was bought up to practice and believe in are been shattered by these persons who seem to think they are doing Gods work by preaching these personal hates of other religions. Im still trying to believe in Faith, Hope and Charity, but these persons are fast making me a racist, which is something I have fought against all my life,now this little weed of a person has to be shown who he up against and thats all Australians regardless of there home country. It will be interesting to see what the powers will do about these socalled clerics. Like all weeds pull them out and get rid of them.
page: 1
RobJan 18th, 2007 - 07:04:51
Enough is enough. If I stood up in public and said all muslims should be hounded out of Australia I would probably be charged with incitement to violence. How can these muslim ''leaders'' be allowed to get away with these things, time and time and time again. Charge him with something, make an example, or are we always going to make excuses. We as Australians are judged on our leaders, as muslims are quick to point out. Let us start judging ALL muslims on their leadership.
Tell this ''cleric'' to stay in Lebanon
Tell el-hilaly to stay away too.
All supporters, go join them.
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