http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,16903519,00.html
The head of the nation’s leading Muslim body has admitted to misrepresenting the views of other Muslim leaders on the Howard Government’s tough new terrorism laws.The president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Ameer Ali, backed away yesterday from his claim last week that there was “unanimous” support from key Muslim leaders for the Government’s anti-terror laws.
His comments sparked anger within the nation’s Muslim community, where many harbour grave concerns about the laws.
Dr Ali triggered the controversy at a press conference in Canberra last week after Attorney-General Philip Ruddock had briefed him and 13 other Muslim leaders on the terror laws.
The leaders were part of the Muslim Reference Group set up by the Government last month to act as a go-between for the community and Canberra on key Islamic issues.
After the meeting, Dr Ali, the group’s chairman, was asked whether “every representative at the meeting has accepted these laws”.
“It was all unanimous, not one single disappointed person,” he replied.
But those at the meeting told The Australian Dr Ali’s comments were wrong and that no one present had endorsed the laws or had even been asked to give an opinion on them. The aim of the meeting was to learn more about the laws, not to pass judgment on them.
“His comments were wrong and they upset a lot of people,” said one attendee, Aziza Abdel-Halim, president of the Muslim Women’s National Network.
“We had taken no decision on the laws, we were just listening to Mr Ruddock’s explanation. He (Dr Ali) jumped the gun. If we had just jumped in and said we accept the laws before we fully understand them or are fully convinced of them, then we would lose credibility with our community.”
Another who attended the meeting, Islamic Council of Victoria president Malcolm Thomas said Dr Ali’s comments were “unauthorised and totally misrepresented our position”.