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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Sydney imam seeks tribunal ruling | Sydney imam seeks tribunal ruling |
| (3 days later) | |
| The Australian Muslim cleric criticised for comments likening unveiled women to uncovered meat has called for an ethical tribunal to consider the case. | The Australian Muslim cleric criticised for comments likening unveiled women to uncovered meat has called for an ethical tribunal to consider the case. |
| Sheikh Taj el-Din al-Hilali said he would step down if it judged him to have incited violence against women. | Sheikh Taj el-Din al-Hilali said he would step down if it judged him to have incited violence against women. |
| He also said he would wear masking tape over his mouth for six months and spend time working for women's organisations. | He also said he would wear masking tape over his mouth for six months and spend time working for women's organisations. |
| But a BBC correspondent in Australia says it is unlikely the tribunal will ever be set up. | But a BBC correspondent in Australia says it is unlikely the tribunal will ever be set up. |
| SHEIKH TAJ EL-DIN AL-HILALI Born in EgyptAged 64Imam in SydneyAppointed mufti of Australia in 1989 Controversial mufti Muslims fear backlash Speech excerpts On Monday, Sheikh Hilali, who preaches at Sydney's main Lakemba Mosque, collapsed from a suspected heart attack while attending a crisis meeting to determine his future. | |
| Four days later he returned to the mosque and repeated his apology over the comments ahead of Friday prayers. | Four days later he returned to the mosque and repeated his apology over the comments ahead of Friday prayers. |
| "Any person who justifies the crime of rape or encourages it under any circumstances, or whoever degrades Australian women for their dress, is nothing but an ignorant, foolish and crazy person who does not deserve to hold any position of responsibility," his statement said. | "Any person who justifies the crime of rape or encourages it under any circumstances, or whoever degrades Australian women for their dress, is nothing but an ignorant, foolish and crazy person who does not deserve to hold any position of responsibility," his statement said. |
| He has previously said his suggestion that women who did not wear a headscarf attracted sexual assault had been taken out of context and "misinterpreted". | He has previously said his suggestion that women who did not wear a headscarf attracted sexual assault had been taken out of context and "misinterpreted". |
| 'Non-starter' | 'Non-starter' |
| The Egyptian-born sheikh said the Australian media and sections of the country's 280,000-strong Muslim community have orchestrated a plot against him. | The Egyptian-born sheikh said the Australian media and sections of the country's 280,000-strong Muslim community have orchestrated a plot against him. |
| Any person... who justifies the crime of rape... is nothing but an ignorant, foolish and crazy person Sheikh Taj el-Din al-Hilali He called for the establishment of the tribunal under Australia's Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. | Any person... who justifies the crime of rape... is nothing but an ignorant, foolish and crazy person Sheikh Taj el-Din al-Hilali He called for the establishment of the tribunal under Australia's Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. |
| But the BBC's Nick Bryant, in Sydney, describes the sheikh's proposal as "almost certainly a non-starter". | But the BBC's Nick Bryant, in Sydney, describes the sheikh's proposal as "almost certainly a non-starter". |
| Prime Minister John Howard's government has been fierce in its condemnation of the original comments, saying its meaning was explicit and deeply offensive - a view shared by many of Australia's leading Islamic organisations. | Prime Minister John Howard's government has been fierce in its condemnation of the original comments, saying its meaning was explicit and deeply offensive - a view shared by many of Australia's leading Islamic organisations. |
| Masking tape | Masking tape |
| The sheikh has apologised in public since his comments were publicised last week. He also asked for indefinite leave from his religious duties after suffering chest pains. | The sheikh has apologised in public since his comments were publicised last week. He also asked for indefinite leave from his religious duties after suffering chest pains. |
| In his latest offer, Sheikh Hilali offered to resign from all religious duties if found guilty by the tribunal of inciting violence against women. | In his latest offer, Sheikh Hilali offered to resign from all religious duties if found guilty by the tribunal of inciting violence against women. |
| He also volunteered to spend 600 hours working for organisations offering services to women. | He also volunteered to spend 600 hours working for organisations offering services to women. |
| The offer to cover his mouth with masking tape for six months in public places would be a public effort to "discipline this mouth for uttering these words", he said. | The offer to cover his mouth with masking tape for six months in public places would be a public effort to "discipline this mouth for uttering these words", he said. |
| If acquitted, the sheikh said he would take a decision about his future that would encourage peaceful coexistence between communities in Australia. | If acquitted, the sheikh said he would take a decision about his future that would encourage peaceful coexistence between communities in Australia. |