It appears that, if you are a politician, you need to be very careful which religious organisations you endorse. However fearless as ever, John Howard has demonstrated that the Muslim vote can do whatever it likes.
John Howard in religious hate row
By Gerard McManus and Michael Harvey
January 19, 2007 01:00am
Article from: Herald-Sun
JOHN Howard has been caught in a religious storm after taping a goodwill message for a fundamentalist Christian group accused of inciting anti-Islamic hatred.
Islamic leaders last night condemned the Prime Minister for appearing in a DVD message for Catch the Fire ministries.
The controversial movement has sponsored a major multi-denomination gathering in Melbourne on Australia Day.
But the PM's decision to back the event has been described as "dangerous".
Muslim community leaders said Mr Howard risked legitimising hateful anti-Islamic views.
"It sends quite a dangerous message to mainstream Australia that extremist views and hate speech is normal and justified," said former president of the Islamic Council of Victoria, Yasser Soliman.
The outcry comes as federal police launched an investigation into inflammatory comments by Sydney's Sheik Feiz Mohammed, which included a description of Jews as pigs and calls for children to die as "martyrs of faith".
The hateful comments appeared in DVDs of Sheik Feiz's lectures, being sold in Australia and the UK.
Acting Attorney-General Kevin Andrews said the Government was worried about a pattern of behaviour among outspoken Islamic leaders.
Mr Andrews described the comments as reprehensible and offensive.
Federal Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd called the sheik's rant obscene and demanded action.
"As I see it, Sheik Mohammed's comments add up to an incitement to terrorism," Mr Rudd said.
Catch the Fire has been at the centre of accusations two of its pastors exposed Muslims to hatred and ridicule.
Friday's Christian rally at Festival Hall is expected to attract up to 5000 people of various denominations.
Mr Howard is being promoted in flyers as delivering a keynote message which will be "personally directed to Catch the Fire ministries".
The rally will also say prayers against terrorism, for divine protection for Australia's armed forces and for the Government, according to organisers.
Pastor Danny Nalliah, one of two Catch the Fire ministers charged with breaking state vilification laws in 2002, last night refused to release the PM's message.
"I am not at liberty to say what the Prime Minister says in the message," Pastor Nalliah said.
"We asked him to speak on Australian values.
"This is a really big breakthrough to have all Christian denominations working together.
"This has been my heart and passion."
Last month the Victorian Court of Appeal threw out the charges brought in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal which had sought to jail Pastor Nalliah and Daniel Scot for allegedly inciting hatred, contempt, revulsion and ridicule of Muslims.
The pair have endured a long-running legal case, which has cost them about $150,000, but pledged to go to jail rather than retract their views.
Mr Soliman, a member of the PM's Muslim Community Reference Group, said Mr Howard should think twice about addressing the group.
"It is a dangerous thing for a senior politician to do," he said.
"I can't stop the Prime Minister addressing who he wants to, but he should be very cautious, especially with groups which have a history of toxic-hate speech."
Islamic Council of Victoria board member Waleed Aly described Catch the Fire as "spectacularly ignorant", claiming its members were in alliance with the far-Right League of Rights.
"If the PM wants to associate with these people, it's not a good look," Mr Aly said.
Other leading politicians who have addressed Catch the Fire ministries include Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile and Treasurer Peter Costello.
Mr Howard was travelling last night and a spokesman said he was unavailable to comment. |
