Relaxed sheik gets rock start treatment, Weekend Australian, 28 October, 2006.

Relaxed Hilali gets star treatment: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. Weekend Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 28 Oct 2006: 9.

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Many of those leaving the mosque carried a flyer from radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir that described the furore surrounding the sheik’s comments as thelatest chapter in Australia’s demonisation of Islam and the Muslim community.
Earlier in the day, Sheik Hilali had appeared much more subdued. He had risen early and made his way up to the local newsagency to buy the papers. He had seen the headlines describing him as a “heartless ignorant man” who should be sacked and deported. Leaning heavily on his walking stick, the sheik made his way to the mosque from his house next door.
Some of the worshippers were heavily bearded and in traditional Muslim garb. Others, in workman’s clothes, dropped in from surrounding factories and building sites. About 5 per cent of the congregation were heavily robed women heading to the female section at the side of the mosque.

WHILE the rest of the country expressed outrage at his comments, Taj Din al-Hilali enjoyed rock star status when he arrived at Lakemba mosque yesterday.
He was smiling when he exited Sydney’s now infamous mosque, clearly buoyed by the backing he had received inside, where 5000 worshippers shouted their support during the midday service.
He was surrounded by more than 200 fervent supporters as he made his way to a waiting car.
Asked if he would resign, he said: “After we clean the world of the White House.”
The crowd erupted into applause.
Minutes earlier he had implored thousands of worshippers not to attack the waiting media pack, but to be polite, smile and walk away.
His followers did exactly as they were told.
Many of those leaving the mosque carried a flyer from radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir that described the furore surrounding the sheik’s comments as thelatest chapter in Australia’s demonisation of Islam and the Muslim community.
The flyer read: “In an age of heightened hysteria generated as part of the `war on terror’, the media and politicians of all persuasions have wasted no time inflaming popular sentiment concerning the question of Islam and its role in Australian society.”
Many of the young men at the mosque appeared to agree. One said the furore was “just an excuse to persecute Islam”.
Another described community reaction as “definitely over- exaggerated. So much has been added to turn talking about two people committing sin, to making it all about rape.”
Earlier in the day, Sheik Hilali had appeared much more subdued. He had risen early and made his way up to the local newsagency to buy the papers. He had seen the headlines describing him as a “heartless ignorant man” who should be sacked and deported. Leaning heavily on his walking stick, the sheik made his way to the mosque from his house next door.
“My comments are misunderstood,” he said. “I respect the lady in Australian society. Australia is a free country.”
Sheik Hilali apologised for the misunderstanding and said his speech had been intended for Muslim women in Australia.
The arrival of police helped to quieten the tension around the mosque as hundreds of men filed in for morning prayers and the midday service.
Journalists were repeatedly warned by community members that they were unsafe.
Some of the worshippers were heavily bearded and in traditional Muslim garb. Others, in workman’s clothes, dropped in from surrounding factories and building sites. About 5 per cent of the congregation were heavily robed women heading to the female section at the side of the mosque.
Few were prepared to speak. However, one Muslim convert, former Christian Kathy Pugh, 50, said she supported everything the mufti had said. “He wants everyone to be modest when they walk out the door. What is wrong with that?” she asked.
Community spokesman Keysar Trad said the mufti had been devastated and hurt by the negative response but would not resile from his service to God.
Less supportive, Tom Zreika, president of the Lebanese Muslim Association, said his group was disappointed that the mufti had yet to explain his comments on women and rape.
“Our community has suffered enough from the response from the wider community,” he said. “A lot of our members are quite embarrassed by the comments.”
The mufti has said he would not make public statements or give sermons for three months. He is shortly to lead a 35-day pilgrimage to Mecca.




Relaxed sheik gets rock star treatment
John Stapleton
October 28, 2006
WHILE the rest of the country expressed outrage at his comments, Taj Din al-Hilali enjoyed rock star status when he arrived at Lakemba Mosque yesterday.
He was smiling when he exited Sydney’s now infamous mosque, clearly buoyed by the backing he had received inside, where 5000 worshippers shouted their support during the midday service.

He was surrounded by more than 200 fervent supporters as he made his way to a waiting car.

Asked if he would resign, he said: “After we clean the world of the White House.”

The crowd erupted into applause.

Minutes earlier he had implored thousands of worshippers not to attack the waiting media pack, but to be polite, smile and walk away.

His followers did exactly as they were told.

Many of those leaving the mosque carried a flyer from radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir that described the furore surrounding the sheik’s comments as the latest chapter in Australia’s demonisation of Islam and the Muslim community.

The flyer read: “In an age of heightened hysteria generated as part of the ‘war on terror’, the media and politicians of all persuasions have wasted no time inflaming popular sentiment concerning the question of Islam and its role in Australian society.”

Many of the young men at the mosque appeared to agree. One said the furore was “just an excuse to persecute Islam”.

Another described community reaction as “definitely over-exaggerated. So much has been added to turn talking about two people committing sin, to making it all about rape.”

Earlier in the day, Sheik Hilali had appeared much more subdued. He had risen early and made his way up to the local newsagency to buy the papers. He had seen the headlines describing him as a “heartless ignorant man” who should be sacked and deported. Leaning heavily on his walking stick, the sheik made his way to the mosque from his house next door.

“My comments are misunderstood,” he said. “I respect the lady in Australian society. Australia is a free country.”

Sheik Hilali apologised for the misunderstanding and said his speech had been intended for Muslim women in Australia.

The arrival of police helped to quieten the tension around the mosque as hundreds of men filed in for morning prayers and the midday service.

Journalists were repeatedly warned by community members that they were unsafe.

Some of the worshippers were heavily bearded and in traditional Muslim garb. Others, in workman’s clothes, dropped in from surrounding factories and building sites. About 5 per cent of the congregation were heavily robed women heading to the female section at the side of the mosque.

Few were prepared to speak. However, one Muslim convert, former Christian Kathy Pugh, 50, said she supported everything the mufti had said. “He wants everyone to be modest when they walk out the door. What is wrong with that?” she asked.

Community spokesman Keysar Trad said the mufti had been devastated and hurt by the negative response but would not resile from his service to God.

Less supportive, Tom Zreika, president of the Lebanese Muslim Association, said his group was disappointed that the mufti had yet to explain his comments on women and rape.

“Our community has suffered enough from the response from the wider community,” he said. “A lot of our members are quite embarrassed by the comments.”

The mufti has said he would not make public statements or give sermons for three months. He is shortly to lead a 35-day pilgrimage to Mecca.

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