http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21554201-601,00.html
Jihadists praised by cleric
Richard Kerbaj
14apr07
THE most senior Muslim cleric in Canberra regularly praises Islamic
jihadists in Iraq and Afghanistan in his Friday afternoon sermons.
Mohammed Swaiti, who is being investigated by the Australian Taxation
Office over claims he failed to pay income tax on thousands of dollars he
allegedly received from the Saudi embassy, yesterday called on God to grant
"victory to mujaheddin (Muslim holy warriors)" worldwide.
"God grant victory to the mujaheddin in his name in all places," he
called out twice in Arabic over a microphone at Abu Bakr mosque in Yarralumla
in front of about 500 worshippers.
"God grant victory to mujaheddin in Palestine, and Chechnya and Kashmir
and Afghanistan and Iraq."
Although Sheik Swaiti translated his sermon into English for
non-Arabic-speaking audience members, the imam of Canberra's only mosque
omitted the praise for Islamic jihadists in the English version.
After the 20-minute sermon, the Palestinian-born cleric, who works at the
tax office in Canberra, denied he was referring to Muslim holy fighters when he
praised mujaheddin. He said Islamic jihad referred not only to fighting but
also to self-discipline.
"Jihad means no alcohol and no gambling," said Sheik Swaiti, who The
Australian last month revealed was being labelled "very fanatic and radical" by
some of Canberra's Muslim community.
"If we followed the jihad of the self ... and followed the Koran, the
whole world will be in peace," he said yesterday.
When asked why he specifically singled out countries in conflict such as
Iraq and Afghanistan when he praised jihadists, he played down the comments,
saying he only mentioned such names occasionally. But after being pressed, he
said: "Palestinian people are dying from hunger. And those who are under
occupation suffer more than any other."
Islamic Society of ACT president Sabrija Poskovic - a longtime critic of
Sheik Swaiti - rejected the cleric's suggestion he was not referring to
fighters in his sermons. He said the cleric was too radical and preached the
wrong Islamic messages.
"We don't like it when he's talking about jihad," said Mr Poskovic, whose
organisation runs Abu Bakr mosque. "He asks God to help fighters fighting
against non-Muslims."
Prominent Muslim leader Ameer Ali defined mujaheddin as "people who
defend their country against injustices", especially when praised in the
context of places such as Iraq and the Palestinian territories.
He said that although many people of Islamic backgrounds supported
fighting against injustices, terrorism was not a justifiable means to an end.
The sermon came days after the Howard Government announced a 300-strong
task group to be sent to Afghanistan for at least two years as Taliban
insurgents (also known as mujaheddin) threatened to reclaim control of key
areas in the south, including some parts of Oruzgan. This brings Sheik Swaiti's
praise to Afghani jihadists into question asAustralian troops prepare to battle
with the Taliban.
The Weekend Australian has also obtained recordings of Sheik Swaiti
praising jihadists during a sermon he gave more than a month ago in the same
fashion as yesterday.
Sheik Swaiti, who has been the spiritual leader at Abu Bakr mosque for 13
years, refused to answers questions relating to the ATO investigation. The tax
office, which refused to comment on its inquiry into Sheik Swaiti, is
investigating allegations that he failed to declare clerical allowances of up
to $US30,000 ($36,000) a year, allegedly paid to him by the Saudi Government's
Dawah (donations) Office.
It was also alleged that Sheik Swaiti had been on the Saudi payroll for
the past 12 years and had failed to declare payments he received from
officiating at wedding ceremonies.
masthead.gif
Description: GIF image
