http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/islamic-leaders-must-denounce-extremists-howard/2005/07/23/1121539189981.html?oneclick=true
Islamic leaders must denounce extremists: Howard By Mark Metherell in London and Frank Walker July 24, 2005 The Sun-Herald Defiant: Sheik Zoud. Photo: Anthony Johnson The Prime Minister has accused some Australian Islamic leaders of failing to denounce the culprits of the London bombings and attacked one imam for his "appalling" defence of Osama bin Laden. In comments signalling a tougher attack on the seeds of terrorism, John Howard urged Islamic leaders to crack down on people who were making inflammatory attacks or defending the terrorist attacks. "I think some [Islamic leaders] have not been as strong in denouncing these acts as they should have been," he said. Mr Howard, speaking in London, did not name any one cleric, but it is understood he was referring to Melbourne-based cleric Sheik Mohammed Omran who has recently disputed that bin Laden-inspired Muslims carried out the September 11 attacks in the United States and the London bombings. "I make no bones about saying when I hear of the imams in Melbourne saying that in effect bin Laden is a good man and the attacks in London were the responsibility of the Americans, I think that is an appalling thing," he said. "He [Sheik Mohammed] has got the freedom to say it, I am not contesting that. But I have got the freedom to say what I think about it." But Sydney's most outspoken Muslim cleric has signalled he will fight moves by moderate Muslim leaders and the Federal Government to ban extremists from preaching in Australia. Sheik Abdul Salam Zoud said any plan to control who could preach Islam in Australia would be a breach of the freedoms that all Australians enjoy. "It would limit liberties and Australia is a free country," he said. "Who would decide who is on the approved list?" Mr Howard said the most disturbing feature of the two attacks in London this month was that they appeared to have been executed by British-born individuals. This was a "new element" in the terrorist phenomenon and highlighted the need for leaders to discourage violent talk. Muslim community leaders have called for a strong stand against Islamic extremists who might influence young men to become terrorists. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] *************************************************************************** Berdikusi dg Santun & Elegan, dg Semangat Persahabatan. Menuju Indonesia yg Lebih Baik, in Commonality & Shared Destiny. http://www.ppi-india.org *************************************************************************** __________________________________________________________________________ Mohon Perhatian: 1. Harap tdk. memposting/reply yg menyinggung SARA (kecuali sbg otokritik) 2. Pesan yg akan direply harap dihapus, kecuali yg akan dikomentari. 3. Reading only, http://dear.to/ppi 4. Satu email perhari: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 5. No-email/web only: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 6. kembali menerima email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
