Anarch
11-09-2005, 10:43 AM
Muslims warned of 'redneck havoc'
From: AAP
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17189273-36596,00.html
November 09, 2005
A KEY Muslim leader has warned radical clerics to tone down their rhetoric and has voiced fears of a redneck backlash against his community.
President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils Dr Ameer Ali said he planned to meet with government ministers today to seek greater protection for his community.
"I want to get more information about what has happened over the last 48 hours and secondly I also want the Government to assure my community that they will not allow the rednecks in this country to exploit this situation and create disharmony in this society," Dr Ali said.
"My people are afraid that it is on occasions like this the rednecks can create havoc."
Dr Ali said violence against Muslims was on the rise before the raids occurred in Sydney and Melbourne this week.
"I come from WA and even before the raid there was one incident, I'm sure about it, where a bunch of youngsters entered a Muslim house and attacked a lady in the house and later admitted to police that they did that because they are Muslims," Dr Ali said.
"So this racially motivated violence should be stopped.
"The law enforcers (should) give some extra protection to the places of worship, the Muslim schools and areas where the Muslims are living in concentration so there will be more police patrols taking place so these elements can be kept out."
Dr Ali said he also had a message for radical clerics.
"I tell the clerics, please guard your language when you talk," he said.
"This is a country that believes in pluralism, it's a multicultural society, we live in a plural society.
"Your religion does not preach intolerance and I ask them not to hijack the religion."
Dr Ali said he believed new anti-terror laws which were expected to be debated in Parliament tomorrow may not be needed, given the result of the Sydney and Melbourne raids which operated under existing laws.
He said he hoped to discuss his concerns with Multicultural Affairs minister John Cobb and attorney general Philip Ruddock today.
"Let's keep a balance between our liberties and our protection," he said. Dr Ali said media had a responsibility to be less sensational and government ministers needed to be more vocal in pointing out the terror laws did not target the Muslim community.
From: AAP
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17189273-36596,00.html
November 09, 2005
A KEY Muslim leader has warned radical clerics to tone down their rhetoric and has voiced fears of a redneck backlash against his community.
President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils Dr Ameer Ali said he planned to meet with government ministers today to seek greater protection for his community.
"I want to get more information about what has happened over the last 48 hours and secondly I also want the Government to assure my community that they will not allow the rednecks in this country to exploit this situation and create disharmony in this society," Dr Ali said.
"My people are afraid that it is on occasions like this the rednecks can create havoc."
Dr Ali said violence against Muslims was on the rise before the raids occurred in Sydney and Melbourne this week.
"I come from WA and even before the raid there was one incident, I'm sure about it, where a bunch of youngsters entered a Muslim house and attacked a lady in the house and later admitted to police that they did that because they are Muslims," Dr Ali said.
"So this racially motivated violence should be stopped.
"The law enforcers (should) give some extra protection to the places of worship, the Muslim schools and areas where the Muslims are living in concentration so there will be more police patrols taking place so these elements can be kept out."
Dr Ali said he also had a message for radical clerics.
"I tell the clerics, please guard your language when you talk," he said.
"This is a country that believes in pluralism, it's a multicultural society, we live in a plural society.
"Your religion does not preach intolerance and I ask them not to hijack the religion."
Dr Ali said he believed new anti-terror laws which were expected to be debated in Parliament tomorrow may not be needed, given the result of the Sydney and Melbourne raids which operated under existing laws.
He said he hoped to discuss his concerns with Multicultural Affairs minister John Cobb and attorney general Philip Ruddock today.
"Let's keep a balance between our liberties and our protection," he said. Dr Ali said media had a responsibility to be less sensational and government ministers needed to be more vocal in pointing out the terror laws did not target the Muslim community.