Fed: Senior Muslim leader launches scathing attack

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2003
Fed: Senior Muslim leader launches scathing attack

SYDNEY, Dec 22 AAP - Australia's most senior Muslim leader has accused the nation's
radical Islamic clerics of following in the footsteps of Osama bin Laden, it was reported
today.

The Australian newspaper reported Sheikh Taj Din al-Hilali as saying fundamentalist
clerics held grudges against non-Muslim Australians.

Sheikh Hilali warned their attitudes were harming the image of Australia's 280,000
Muslims, the report said.

He reportedly said fundamentalist clerics wanted to appear they were following in the
footsteps of Osama bin Laden.

"... they want that reputation, to appeal to simple Muslims, that they are people applying
jihad," the Australian quoted Sheikh Hilali as saying.

"These people bring a rigid and incorrect understanding of Islam to Australia and they
bring harm to their religion."

He said the teachings of fundamentalist scholars were outside the boundaries of most
Australian Muslims.

AAP aj/cbs/

KEYWORD: ISLAMIC

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