"Bible blasphemy shock"
Milanda Rout and Mary Bolling December 07, 2006 12:00am
THE parents of a Muslim student who urinated on and burned a Bible say they are shocked and ashamed over their son's actions.
Religious leaders yesterday condemned the desecration by students from the East Preston Islamic College.
Two students were expelled and one suspended over the incident, which occurred at a camp at YMCA Lake Dewar Lodge near Bacchus Marsh last week.
East Preston Islamic College principal Shaheem Doutie said parents of one expelled student had told the school they were appalled by their son's behaviour.
"The parents were totally shocked to hear their children did things like this," he said.
"One parent said . . . she will take action against the son for doing what he did."
He said he notified the parents by letter, but one student turned up to school yesterday unaware he had been expelled.
He said the school had expelled two students and suspended another after it found they spat and urinated on a Bible before setting pages alight.
Mr Doutie said he was offended by the incident and would hold weekly assemblies reminding students about the importance of the Bible.
"I am shocked and appalled at this," he said.
He said a teacher at the school expressed concerns camp organisers had called the students names but he could not prove the allegations.
Teachers at the school had also signed a petition, expressing their concern over racism and insults towards non-Muslim staff.
YMCA Victoria chief executive Peter Burns said the burnt Bible was discovered after the camp ended early because of the inappropriate behaviour by the students.
He said a number of unruly incidents had occurred, including broken windows and fire extinguishers being let off.
The Herald Sun spoke to a dozen students at the school yesterday, who all agreed the offending boys had deserved expulsion.
Students and parents were standing by the college, saying it should not be blamed.
"It is the kids who have done this, and the school has expelled them," one mother said. "It did the right thing, and it is over."
Muslim community leader Yasser Soliman said it was a stupid act and the school acted correctly.
"I don't think the students realised the potential damage it can cause the community," he said.
"It would be a good gesture to go and buy a Bible with their own money as an apology."
Muslim cleric Sheik Fehmi El-Imam said the incident was "terrible and shocking".
Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne auxiliary bishop Christopher Prouse said it was a serious incident, but they were very happy with how the school had handled it.
Bishop Prouse said they would continue to work with the Muslim community to ensure it did not happen again.
Victorian Independent Education Union general secretary Deb James said the teachers at the school were appalled.
"Oh, well, boys will be boys" said the Imam as he beheaded another infidel.
These losers are about as funny as John Kerry.
"immature prank"
Of course.
There is a definite movement to destroy Christianity and replace it with aa violent, murderous, intolerant ideology. So we have officials who go along with that movement.
Sick.
No they haven't. That was a lie
A prank. But the false story about urination on another religion's sacred book never left the screen. It was assumed to be true.
I always thought an interesting difference in between Muslims and Christians was how they treat their bibles. To the Muslim the Koran in itself is holy and one cannot deface or mark it in any way. Look at any good Christian's bible and you find side notes, underlining, highlighting, cross-references and lots of other minutia penciled in the margins and throughout the text.