Maybe he should be the first to be signed up for the "aussie set of values course" they were proposing - sheesh. Youre right snake - disgusting.It's Snake Pliskin said:Disgusting remarks by a supposedly peaceful religious leader.
From ABC, October 26, 2006. 8:50am (AEST)
Al Hilaly spokesman plays down 'uncovered meat' comments
One of Australia's most senior Muslim clerics is being accused of saying some women are attracting sexual assault by the way they dress and their actions.
But a spokesman for Sheikh Taj el-din Al Hilaly says the quotes have been taken out of context.
The Sheikh is reported to have made the comments in a sermon to worshippers in Sydney last month.
The religious leader of the city's Lebanese Muslim community was quoted as saying that women who do not wear the hijab, or headdress, are like uncovered meat.
The Australian newspaper translated a copy of the cleric's sermon.
Keysar Trad is an associate of Sheikh Al Hilaly.
He says he has spoken to the Mufti, who explained his comments.
"He wasn't talking about rape in any way," Mr Trad said.
"He wasn't talking about standard norms of dress in Australia or any country, he wasn't talking about the hijab, he was talking about people who engage in extramarital sex.
"He's always encouraged fidelity and abstinence until people get married. He was explaining how both men and women should not leave themselves as exposed meat, beyond the normal standards of society.
"He's talking about those people who prey on others - whether they're men or women, who seek to engage in sexual conduct outside of marriage and do so through alluring types of attire."
Shereen Hassan is a an executive committee member of the Islamic Council of Victoria.
She is yet to confirm the newspaper's translation of the Mufti's address.
But she says if it is accurate, she is appalled.
"The comments are absolutely repulsive and offensive to me as a woman. I'm a Muslim woman, I wear a hijab. But I certainly don't wear the hijab to avoid sexual harassment. I wear it to show my love and devotion to God. Full stop. Not for any other reason," she said.
"I definitely will be speaking to him and condemning these comments to his face.
"We don't have the power to make him stand down, but I definitely be having a word to him and pointing out how incredibly offensive these comments are. I will be urging him to retract his statements."
kennas said:Anyone know the actual cultural reason for Arabic women to cover up their modesty? (It's an Arabian thing, not Islamic)
visual said:Kennas I think will answer your question,it came about as a fashion and cultural thing.
Regarding Q24:31, Muhammad Asad explains that Arabian women covered their heads prior to the advent of Islam in the seventh century C.E. The head covering (khimar) was worn as an ornament, hanging down loosely over the wearer’s back. In accordance with the fashion of that era, the upper part of a woman’s tunic had a wide opening in the front, which left her bosom partially exposed. Hence, the command is for the covering of the bosom as an act of modesty, and not for the wearing of the khimar or covering of the head. According to some other commentators, women wore the khimar to keep sand and dust out of their hair. Incidentally, men also wore turbans and traditional long gowns to cover themselves.
http://www.irfi.org/articles/women_in_islam/muslim_women_and_tradition.htm
From ABC, October 26, 2006
Anger at Al Hilaly's 'uncovered meat' remarks
A senior Muslim cleric has drawn criticism for reportedly preaching that some women are attracting sexual assault by the way they dress and their actions.
Sheikh Taj el-din Al Hilaly is reported as saying that women who do not wear the hijab, or headdress, are like uncovered meat.
The quotes, taken from a sermon the cleric made in Sydney last month, are published in The Australian today.
The ABC has been unable to contact Sheikh Al Hilaly, but an associate Keysar Trad, says the mufti's comments have been taken out of context.
"He wasn't talking about rape in any way," Mr Trad said.
"He wasn't talking about standard norms of dress in Australia or any country, he wasn't talking about the hijab, he was talking about people who engage in extramarital sex.
But the Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner and New South Wales Liberal Party candidate, Pru Goward, does not believe the Sheikh can backtrack over his comments.
She says he could be guilty of incitement to the crime of rape, and he should be deported.
"On that basis he can, if his visa arrangements are appropriate, be deported," Ms Goward said.
"I would strongly urge the Islamic leadership to ask him to go, we would all support that.
"There is a pattern of these statements, we are a tolerant people but incitement to the crime of rape is not acceptable."
'Flabbergasted'
A former member of the Federal Government's Muslim Advisory board, Iktimal Hage-Ali, says Sheikh Al Hilaly should be stripped of his position.
Ms Hage-Ali has heard a recording of a speech made by the Sheikh last month, in which he said women can be blamed for attracting sexual assault if they do not dress appropriately.
She says she is disgusted by the comments.
"When it comes to adultery 90 per cent of the blame is on a woman," she said.
"If a woman puts powder on her face and puts lipstick [on] and struts her stuff then she should be held at fault, if a man comes and attacks her and then that analogy about meat and cats. I was just flabbergasted."
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner, Mick Keelty, says the furore over comments attributed to the Sheikh may damage relations with the Islamic community.
Commissioner Keelty says the Sheikh's comments could cause links with the Islamic community to be strained.
"What we're trying to do is work closely with the Islamic community - all of us - and understand them better and I guess this just, you know, doesn't help that cause," Commissioner Keelty said.
Political condemnation
The Treasurer Peter Costello has also condemned the reported comments by Sheikh Al Hilaly.
Speaking on Channel 7, Mr Costello said the Muslim community must condemn the comments and take action against the Sheikh.
"If you have a significant religious leader like this preaching to a flock in a situation where we've had gang rapes, in a way that seems to make it justifiable, or at least lighten the dehumanising and degrading extent of the offence, then people that listen to that kind of comment can get the wrong idea," Mr Costello said.
Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley says the remarks are offensive and the mufti should apologise for them.
"They are offensive and they should be retracted by him, they should be retracted immediately," Mr Beazley said.
"Those offensive statements should not be permitted to stand."
Prospector said:And really too, while I abhor this man's comments totally, it wasnt all that many years ago that the 'she was asking for it' mentally was very pervasive in our society too!
And it also wasn't all that long ago that a woman's past sexual history was able to be questioned in Court whenever a rape allegation was made! Maybe less than 15 years ago in fact!
Happy said:This could be used as proof that our culture moved forward.
Prospector said:Absolutely agree, but can we expect other cultures (more ancient cultures too) to move at our pace?
Prospector - it wasnt the apple in the tree that was the problem it was the pear in the bushesProspector said:Isn't that what Adam was told in the Garden of Eden, metaphorically in the guise of an apple......
M8 - If I can just add a few comments - whether they contribute or not.Dukey said:Now - I'm sure all of us guys have on many an occasion seen 'underdressed' women in our travels - you only have to go as far as the local beach - and sure its tittilating .........
I think there are 2 important factors at play to consider
1. Gang culture, mixed with the idea that women are "tools of the devil".
2. Islam is a culture of suppression of Women AND sexual repression ....
... basically - it just doesn't work to tell people they can't do something (sex) that is a purely natural
It's Snake Pliskin said:Disgusting remarks by a supposedly peaceful religious leader.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20646437-601,00.html
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