Mufti urges Muslims to back Iran

AUSTRALIA'S most senior Islamic cleric, Sheik Taj al-Din al-Hilali, called on the Muslim world to unite behind the radical Iranian regime and to serve in its "trenches" in comments published during a visit to Tehran last weekend. As Iran was involved in a standoff with Western powers over the detention of 15 British naval personnel seized after they were accused of trespassing in its waters last month, the Iranian media were using Sheik Hilali's quotes in a propaganda drive. The controversial Australian mufti was quoted as saying that the global Islamic nation would never "kneel" to its enemies. In reports published in Iran on Saturday, Sheik Hilali was quoted as saying that Muslims needed to overcome their sectarian divisions that have led to much "bloodletting" in Iraq.

Leaders in Australia's Muslim community have attacked the Egyptian-born cleric over his reported comments and said he had no authority to speak on their behalf. The comments will increase the pressure on the mufti, who caused a national furore last year when he compared scantily clad women with uncovered meat. He is under police investigation over allegations he passed money raised by members of the Muslim community in Australia to supporters of al-Qaeda and Hezbollah's terrorist arm during a visit to Lebanon last year.

The Australian revealed last week the Sydney-based Lebanese Muslim Association had raised $70,000 in conjunction with other Islamic bodies following the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon. The money was earmarked for war victims.

The weekend reports of Sheik Hilali praising Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's hardline Islamic regime follow his outburst on Egyptian television in January when he described Westerners as "the biggest liars". "Anglo-Saxons came to Australia in chains, while we (Muslims) paid our way and come in freedom. We are more Australian than them," he told Egyptian television.

In Tehran, the mufti was billed as a celebrity by the Islamic Republic's newsagency. "The mufti of Australia has called on the Islamic world to stand in the trenches with the Islamic Republic of Iran which possesses the might and power," Iran's al-Alam News reported on its website in Arabic on Saturday. The Australian understands that Sheik Hilali remained in Iran yesterday but will soon travel to Turkey to attend another Islamic conference.

Prominent Sydney-based imam Khalil Shami said Sheik Hilali was further damaging the image of local Muslims by wrongly expressing their commitment to the "radical" Iranian regime. "As an Australian Muslim, it's very worrying to me that he's speaking on (our) behalf," he said. "Because really, the Iranian people don't know that we're not behind Hilali. And if you ask Sunni Muslims, you will find that 99 per cent are not with Iran. So this hurts us and worries us."

Another Islamic leader, Mustapha Kara-Ali, a former member of John Howard's Muslim Community Reference Group, warned that Sheik Hilali's support for Iran would be potentially used by extremists in Sydney to recruit alienated young Muslims. "Hilali's new (declaration) will play into the hands of underground extremists in Sydney's southwest who will use this edict as ammunition to further recruit disenfranchised Muslim youth."

Sheik Hilali's position remains under a cloud, with a significant section of the Australian Muslim community wanting him deposed. But the new president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Ikebal Patel, dismissed reports that Sheik Hilali had been sacked as mufti. "No, we haven't sacked the mufti... (Sheik Hilali) is still the mufti," he said. "The position of mufti itself is very much there and the... incumbent, while not being paid for the position, is still the holder of the position." The federation said it was up to the Australian National Imams Council to decide the fate of the mufti, with a decision expected by the end of June.

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A Catholic organization not allowed to be Catholic?

THE ruling Catholic leadership of the St Vincent de Paul Society faces trial over alleged religious discrimination after telling one of its leaders to convert or resign as an office-holder. The welfare organisation, founded in Paris in 1833, may be forced to change its constitution in Australia because of the looming case in Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, brought by former volunteer and local area president Linda Walsh, a Presbyterian.

Ms Walsh was a leading light in the organisation for more than six years, working full-time - as one of the 5000 non-Catholics in the society's 8000-strong volunteer force in Queensland - with refugees and migrants, and holding the elected position of president of three local conferences, or area groups, in Brisbane. But in 2004, despite being previously open about her religious status, the State Council of the society allegedly informed her that her "non-Catholic" status had become a "point of contention for some members" of the organisation. Ms Walsh said she was then advised she had three options: to become a Catholic, resign her elected position and remain with the society only as a member, or leave the society.

She has not worked with the organisation since. Instead, the mother of four launched legal action against the society, seeking financial damages for pain and suffering, and changes to the worldwide constitution banning non-Catholics from leadership positions except in extreme cases. The society last week lost its bid to have the action thrown out on the grounds it was "frivolous and trivial" and that the ban is exempt from Australia's anti-discrimination laws because it constituted a "genuine occupational requirement".

In its plea to the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, the society said a worldwide review of its constitution in 2003 had stated that the "Catholic beliefs and ethos" of the organisation must be preserved. The society's state president, John Campbell, said the organisation welcomed volunteers and staff from "all walks of life" and that assistance was provided to anyone in need. "But presidents, vice-presidents and spiritual advisers must be Catholic to maintain the ethos of the society," he said. "The society is an international Catholic organisation that consists of many people who volunteer their time to do good works. Some do this to deepen their Catholic faith in a practical way, while others simply want to make a real difference in their community."

Ms Walsh's solicitor, Rob Stevenson of Nathan Lawyers, said there was no reason why his client should be excluded from leadership positions with St Vincent de Paul. "She was working full-time for the society, doing good work and holding significant positions," he said. "It was no secret she was not a Catholic - she had made it known when she began volunteering and before she was elected to these positions, and no one objected."

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Cop facilitated antisemitic assault

THE OPI [Police watchdog] believes an off-duty police officer could have helped prevent the alleged racial and physical abuse of a Jewish man by a group of footballers. Sen-Constable Terry Moore was driving the busload of Ocean Grove footballers home from Caulfield races when they allegedly yelled insults at Menachem Vorchheimer. Mr Vorchheimer claims he was also assaulted.

In a letter to Mr Vorchheimer, Office of Police Integrity assistant director John Nolan says: "In my view, Sen-Constable Moore failed to exercise sufficient control and influence over the offending passengers in the mini-bus. "Had he done so, the conflict may have been prevented." Sen-Constable Moore is also likely to be disciplined for engaging in paid secondary employment without police approval.

Mr Vorchheimer was walking in Caulfield with his children, aged 3 and 6, in October when players yelled abuse from the bus. Mr Vorchheimer said he approached to voice his concern. As the bus drove away a player stole Mr Vorchheimer's traditional Jewish hat and skull cap. When he tried to get them back he was allegedly punched in the face. He said he then had to sit in front of the bus to prevent it being driven away before police arrived.

The OPI has offered Mr Vorchheimer mediation with Sen-Constable Moore, who could not be contacted for comment. Three footballers face criminal charges.

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A nice bit of history



THE world has changed beyond belief since Phil Munday's "Humpy" Holden first hit the road. There were no spacecraft, no mobile telephones, no faxes and not even a sniff of the internet when his 48-215 Holden was first registered in December 1948. The car world knew nothing of seat belts or airbags. It did not dream of anti-skid brakes or electronic traction control.

Mr Munday's car, still bearing its original registration number, LN 396, is recognised by GM Holden as the longest continually registered representative of the breed still running in Australia. It lives with Mr Munday as part of a giant collection of more than 40 classic Holdens at his home in Wonga Park, but has covered only 92,000km since it rolled off the Adelaide assembly line in September 1948. Its body is badged as No 19 and GM Holden says it is the third-oldest car on its books, behind the original 1947 Holden prototype, which inhabits the National Museum in Canberra, and the company's own No 1 housed at head office in Fishermans Bend.

Mr Munday's 48-215, also known as an FX, was originally owned by the Coxon Holden dealership in Casterton and had been kept in Mount Gambier until he bought it at Christmas. "Since the dealer at Casterton never sold it on and kept it in the family, it's probably the oldest demonstrator in the world -- 59 years, no less," Mr Munday said yesterday.

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