How Howard stands by imam criticism
[My Australasia]
Prime Minister John Howard says he has every right to condemn a Melbourne imam who has defended Osama bin Laden.
Sheikh Mohammed Omran says the Prime Minister's comments about him are inaccurate and inflammatory and will only create fear in the community.
On July 11, the fundamentalist Muslim cleric told the ABC's Lateline program he believed bin Laden had been unfairly blamed for terrorist activity.
"I dispute any evil action linked to bin Laden," he said.
"Again, I don't believe that even September 11 from the beginning, I don't believe that it has been done by any Muslim at all."
Mr Howard says he thinks the Sheikh's views would be unacceptable to the majority of Australians.
"He's reaffirmed that he thinks bin Laden is a good man," the Prime Minister said. "Heavens above ... let's just sit back and think for a moment.
"He says that bin Laden is a good man. Doesn't that really prove my point?"
Mr Howard says the imam has the right to express his view but adds: "I have a right to say it is a view that the overwhelming majority of Muslims in this country would find unacceptable."
Mr Howard says the cleric believes the US was responsible for the recent attacks on London.
But Sheikh Omran says he has never blamed the United States and he reserves his judgment on the identity of the attackers.
He says he is not satisfied the individuals behind the bombings have an Islamic agenda.
The Federal Opposition says Australia should have a "zero tolerance" approach to people who provide moral support for terrorists, or incite hatred.
Labor's foreign affairs spokesman, Kevin Rudd, has wholeheartedly supported Mr Howard's criticism of Sheikh Omran.
Mr Rudd has called on the Sheikh to reconsider his comments.
"For any Australian cleric to defend the actions of Osama bin Laden is unacceptable and un-Australian," he said.
"And I would call upon the Sheikh to repudiate his comments in support of Osama bin Laden."
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Prime Minister John Howard says he has every right to condemn a Melbourne imam who has defended Osama bin Laden.
Sheikh Mohammed Omran says the Prime Minister's comments about him are inaccurate and inflammatory and will only create fear in the community.
On July 11, the fundamentalist Muslim cleric told the ABC's Lateline program he believed bin Laden had been unfairly blamed for terrorist activity.
"I dispute any evil action linked to bin Laden," he said.
"Again, I don't believe that even September 11 from the beginning, I don't believe that it has been done by any Muslim at all."
Mr Howard says he thinks the Sheikh's views would be unacceptable to the majority of Australians.
"He's reaffirmed that he thinks bin Laden is a good man," the Prime Minister said. "Heavens above ... let's just sit back and think for a moment.
"He says that bin Laden is a good man. Doesn't that really prove my point?"
Mr Howard says the imam has the right to express his view but adds: "I have a right to say it is a view that the overwhelming majority of Muslims in this country would find unacceptable."
Mr Howard says the cleric believes the US was responsible for the recent attacks on London.
But Sheikh Omran says he has never blamed the United States and he reserves his judgment on the identity of the attackers.
He says he is not satisfied the individuals behind the bombings have an Islamic agenda.
The Federal Opposition says Australia should have a "zero tolerance" approach to people who provide moral support for terrorists, or incite hatred.
Labor's foreign affairs spokesman, Kevin Rudd, has wholeheartedly supported Mr Howard's criticism of Sheikh Omran.
Mr Rudd has called on the Sheikh to reconsider his comments.
"For any Australian cleric to defend the actions of Osama bin Laden is unacceptable and un-Australian," he said.
"And I would call upon the Sheikh to repudiate his comments in support of Osama bin Laden."
Related News:
posted by 9T9 at
1:01 pm
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