someone had to do it!
Posted on 11/20/2005 3:33:39 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
MUSLIM leaders are outraged that model Michelle Leslie ditched her headscarf for singlet and champers as she flew to Singapore after being deported from Bali as a convicted drug user.
They branded the bodypaint-to-burqa convert a fake. "We've got no time for these pseudo-Muslims," said Dr Ameer Ali, head of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils.
"I'd like to tell her: you can't have it both ways."
Dr Ali said it was obvious Leslie was using Islam for her own convenience.
"If she wants to give up, she should publicly declare she is no longer Muslim."
Leslie, 24, sipped champagne and read an Australian women's magazine during the short flight to freedom after serving three months' jail on ecstasy charges.
She was set to fly to Sydney yesterday but was waylaid in Singapore by TV and magazine executives.
Channel 9's 60 Minutes and A Current Affair were at the centre of discussions with women's magazine New Idea also trying to cut a deal.
"It's just blood money and it is disgraceful," said Australian Family Association chief Bill Muehlenberg.
"There is a good reason we have drug laws -- drugs kill, and it is just wrong for people like her to make money out of it. The whole case is confusing for young people, but one thing is clear -- she is not a great role model."
Leslie arrived in Singapore early yesterday after catching her flight to freedom.
"I'm so exhausted. I'm really excited to be going home and I'm just really relieved to be out of Indonesia," she said.
"And I'm really thankful to all the people that have supported me and sent me emails and letters and phone calls during my time in Bali."
The outcry over Leslie's plans to seal a lucrative media deal came as federal Justice Minister Chris Ellison appeared to leave the door ajar for the underwear model to profit from her ordeal.
Senator Ellison backed away from earlier reports he would block such a move, insisting the decision rested with Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Damian Bugg, QC.
Under recently introduced amendments, any Australian found guilty of a crime in Australia or overseas cannot make a profit by telling of their exploits.
Professor Margaret Hamilton, co-chair of Prime Minister John Howard's own drug advisory committee, questioned whether media outlets should be allowed to buy Leslie's story.
"The offers should not be made in the first place -- there are clear legal issues involved but also moral issues," Prof Hamilton said.
"They should not pay for these stories but I would not comment on whether Ms Leslie should benefit or not," she said.
While in jail, Leslie went from sarongs to the Muslim headscarf, or hijab, and even a head-to-toe black burqa, claiming to have found Allah a year ago.
She denied her conversion to Islam was a ploy to manipulate public and judicial sentiment.
Not all Muslim leaders condemned Leslie for her sudden change of garb yesterday.
Islamic Council of Victoria spokesman Waleed Aly said her failure to wear traditional dress on her release did not mean she was not a true Muslim.
"You can't see what is in someone's heart. We're not judges. We take their claims at face value. Muslims regularly do things that are contrary to the requirements of Islam.
"Islam is not a fashion parade. I think it's a bit tragic there's so much focus on that.
"If she is using it -- it's between her and God."
Leslie was arrested in Bali on August 20 after police found two ecstasy tablets in her handbag outside a Kuta dance party.
She was convicted on Friday and sentenced to three months' jail but released on Saturday because she had already served that time while awaiting trial.
The model has vowed that once back in Australia she will speak publicly about her arrest, after allegations police covered up the fact she was with the sons of powerful Indonesian families on the night of her arrest.
Leslie is expected to return to Sydney this week.
I'd like to tell he she can have it both ways, and twice on Sunday. ;-)
That would be a public announcement of a death sentence against herself, which, because of her celebrity status would be surely carried out.
Don't blame you. She's a bloody good sort!!!!
Gee...guess she'll have to do without an honor rape or four. What a tragedy.
I got a news flash, buddy: The civilized world feels pretty much the same about the real ones.
"Dr Ali said it was obvious Leslie was using Islam for her own convenience"...
Well duh...go to jail or wear a head scarf. Tough choice.
Would that it would be that easy for Schapelle Corby who, instead of embracing Islam, embraced Christ instead and will be stuck in a Bali hell-hole for 20 years (as opposed to 3 months for Leslie the pseudo-Moslem).
(I'm not condoning either woman's drug use - just contrasting the two.)
So what's the deal? Let me see. As long as she puts a head scarf on with THAT outfit everything is okey-dokey?
ROFL
LOL! Good one.
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