Posted on 06/10/2007 4:04:41 AM PDT by naturalman1975
OUTSPOKEN Muslim leader Sheik Taj Aldin Alhilali has stood down as Australia's Mufti. The controversial Islamic cleric was reappointed Mufti at a meeting of Muslim leaders in Melbourne today, but declined to accept the position.
The Council of Islamic Jurisprudence and Research instead elected Sheik Fehmi Naji El-Imam, who will serve a two-year term.
The decision was made at the Preston Mosque in suburban Melbourne at a four-hour meeting behind closed doors.
Sheik Alhilali was a surprising and controversial first choice for the Muslim leaders, who have come under intense pressure over the past year to sack the Mufti.
In a statement issued today, the council said Sheik Alhilali had "gracefully declined'' to accept another term.
"We, the Australian National Imams Council, are proud to announce that Sheik Fehmi Naji El-Imam is appointed as the Mufti of Australia for a two-year term,'' the statement read.
"Sheik Fehmi Naji El-Imam will be working with the Council of Islamic Jurisprudence and Research under the umbrella of the Australian National Imams Council for the benefit of the Muslims and the broader Australian community.
"We recognise the great services that Sheik Taj Aldin Alhilali has provided over the years and we pray for his good health.''
During a rocky tenure, Sheik Alhilali raised the ire of the Australian public and politicians, even dividing the Muslim community, with his often controversial comments.
The Mufti caused a storm of controversy last year when he likened immodestly dressed women to uncovered meat, suggesting they invited rape, during a Ramadan sermon to 500 worshippers in Sydney.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
Given his suggestion that rape is understandable if a women is “improperly” dressed, isn’t the lack of outrage on the part of international feminists groups amazing?
The liberal double-standard here is to say the least, jarring.
A clever, politically astute, move.
Get rid of this lightening rod, with whom they are clearly in sympathy, but do it in a way which telegraphs to the Muslim community that he is an A OK guy. Close observers will see this, but for many half-awake non-Muslims, he will be quickly forgotten, unless his replacement is equally indiscreet in communications overheard by the infidels.
Obviously they agree with this guy, They re-elected him. His refusal to serve is the only reason he is gone.
I assume you mean that this was a bit of theatre, like: "We'll elect you then you decline."
‘clever, politically astute, move.’
I assume you mean that this was a bit of theatre, like: “We’ll elect you then you decline.”
Yes, and it seems reasonable to suppose that the former head dirt-bag was in on this, e.g., perhaps negotiating the public statement endorsing him, as a condition for “gracefully resigning”. Or, if he is as obtuse as he seems, wiser heads prevailed to give him a face-saving exit. In either case, it is never wise to underestimate one’s sworn enemies, and simply dismiss them as brutal stupid thugs. Clever devious thugs are far more dangerous, and these Islamic clerics in Australia are a good case in point to help us remember that.
Bingo. That way everyone’s happy. They get him off the national stage (don’t believe for a moment he is going away, though) and he bows out with his “reputation” intact.
This is just musical chairs among the top-rank Islamists down-under. Nothing will change. They are still a threat.
Mufti Emeritus?
No ‘official’ position, but sitting prominently in the back rooms, directing things unofficially, is probably the way this really goes down.
He got the vote of confidence; the Aussie public thinks he’s gone; nothing really changed in the power structure: the Muzzies dupe the Infidel again.
Yeah, I agree. I tell Freepers the same thing about Nancy Pelosi, Al Gore and Don Edwards. ;-)
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