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Zaky Mallah: I stand by what I said on Q&A. Australia needs to hear it Zaky Mallah: I stand by what I said on Q&A. Australia needs to hear it
(35 minutes later)
Last night, I caused some controversy. It’s great that I’ve started a discussion. I stand by everything I said.Last night, I caused some controversy. It’s great that I’ve started a discussion. I stand by everything I said.
The so-called Islamic State would be extremely happy to hear what Steve Ciobo had to say on Q&A. It feeds into their recruitment propaganda.The so-called Islamic State would be extremely happy to hear what Steve Ciobo had to say on Q&A. It feeds into their recruitment propaganda.
Some young Australian Muslims – who were already feeling vilified – now feel they are being openly targeted by this government. They are saying they would love to leave and join jihadist groups.Some young Australian Muslims – who were already feeling vilified – now feel they are being openly targeted by this government. They are saying they would love to leave and join jihadist groups.
Related: ABC says allowing former terrorism suspect on Q&A was an 'error in judgment'Related: ABC says allowing former terrorism suspect on Q&A was an 'error in judgment'
They ask themselves, “Why should we Muslims live here, and be subject to this bullying, when in Iraq and Syria, Isis tell us we are welcome?” The harder the Abbott government pushes its counter-terrorism agenda, the more radicalised some young people feel.They ask themselves, “Why should we Muslims live here, and be subject to this bullying, when in Iraq and Syria, Isis tell us we are welcome?” The harder the Abbott government pushes its counter-terrorism agenda, the more radicalised some young people feel.
After last night, many are accusing me of supporting Isis. For the record: I am not a supporter of Isis. I hate Isis. I was just making the point that Ciobo’s comments play into the justification many Muslims feel for joining Isis. When a member of the government says that Muslims accused of terrorism can have their citizenship stripped without a judicial process, it is dangerous.After last night, many are accusing me of supporting Isis. For the record: I am not a supporter of Isis. I hate Isis. I was just making the point that Ciobo’s comments play into the justification many Muslims feel for joining Isis. When a member of the government says that Muslims accused of terrorism can have their citizenship stripped without a judicial process, it is dangerous.
Ciobo’s comments to me last night, that he would be happy to see my citizenship stripped, was a classic case of a politician looking for votes. His comments were a disgrace to fair dinkum Australians who understand this country is built on the rule of law. He is proposing to throw that out and replace it with an authoritarian system. Is that was Aussies want? God forbid. Ciobo’s comments to me last night, that he would be happy to see my citizenship stripped, was a classic case of a politician looking for votes. His comments were a disgrace to fair dinkum Australians who understand this country is built on the rule of law. He is proposing to throw that out and replace it with an authoritarian system. Is that what Aussies want? God forbid.
Fortunately, I am not a dual citizen. So stripping my citizenship is unlikely to ever happen (well, not in the near future). I am strongly standing up for Australians who are under threat from this outrageous, Islamophobic government that is weakening the rule of law, and replacing it with a dictatorial system like that which exists in Syria, where Bashar al-Assad and his ministers have the power to do whatever they like to people without trial. This a very dangerous step Australia is taking. Fortunately, I am not a dual citizen. So stripping my citizenship is unlikely to ever happen (well, not in the near future). I am strongly standing up for Australians who are under threat from this outrageous, Islamophobic government that is weakening the rule of law and replacing it with a dictatorial system like that which exists in Syria, where Bashar al-Assad and his ministers have the power to do whatever they like to people without trial. This a very dangerous step Australia is taking.
I was acquitted of terrorism in 2005, but not because of a technicality, as Ciobo would have you believe. Instead, it was because a jury heard that I had been set up by the New South Wales police, aided and abetted by an undercover operative who paid me money to hear a good terrorism story. They decided I was not guilty of the most serious offences and no threat. I was dumb and naive at the time. I was only 20.I was acquitted of terrorism in 2005, but not because of a technicality, as Ciobo would have you believe. Instead, it was because a jury heard that I had been set up by the New South Wales police, aided and abetted by an undercover operative who paid me money to hear a good terrorism story. They decided I was not guilty of the most serious offences and no threat. I was dumb and naive at the time. I was only 20.
Years later, I’m on good terms with Asio and counter-terrorism police. I meet with them regularly, they shout me a coffee, we chat about Syria and national security. They know I’m an idiot at times, they know I like to stir the pot. They would have watched last night laughing and shaking their heads.Years later, I’m on good terms with Asio and counter-terrorism police. I meet with them regularly, they shout me a coffee, we chat about Syria and national security. They know I’m an idiot at times, they know I like to stir the pot. They would have watched last night laughing and shaking their heads.
The government needs to hear from people like me because I’ve been there, done that. I’ve been to Syria, I’ve spent time with the Free Syrian Army. I know how some young Muslims look at the world.The government needs to hear from people like me because I’ve been there, done that. I’ve been to Syria, I’ve spent time with the Free Syrian Army. I know how some young Muslims look at the world.
This was the point I was making on Q&A, when I had my outburst. I make it proudly and would say it again. The Abbott government has no one to blame but themselves for the new recruits that Isis is attracting here in Australia. This was the point I was making on Q&A when I had my outburst. I make it proudly and would say it again. The Abbott government has no one to blame but themselves for the new recruits that Isis is attracting here in Australia.