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May 23, 2006

Australia: Muslim Leader Is Sacked

We reported on May 5 that the new leadership of the Australian Federation Of Islamic Councils (AFIC) was being vilified by Neil Kadomi of the New South Wales Islamic Council.

Kadomi was miffed that the chairmanship had gone to Rahim Ghauri, a schoolteacher from Perth in the west of Australia, whereas his region (NSW) and Victoria, which have high Muslim populations, were not on the council board.

The new deputy chairman, scientist Dr Waqar Ahmed from Darwin in the north, criticised Kadomi's attitudes, and said that he was a puppet of Amjad Mehboob (pictured), the chief executive of AFIC.

AFIC represents various "Islamic Councils" throughout Australia, including Christmas Island, and has been in existence for 42 years. It claims to represent Australia's population of 300,000 Muslims. Amjat Mehboob, a Fijian of Indian origin, has been in the AFIC for 27 years.

Waqar Ahmed had said earlier this month that the position of Mehboob would be reviewed "very carefully" at an upcoming board meeting. This meeting has now taken place, and, according to the Australian, Mehboob has been ejected from his privileged position at AFIC.

Waqar Ahmed has circulated an email to its membership, in which he said that the board had decided unanimously to dispense with the post of "chief executive". The email stated that the leadership had "formed the view that the role of the executive officer has become redundant and accordingly it is hereby vacated."

According to the Australian, there was a recent meeting by the Islamic Councils of Victoria and NSW to stage a challenge to the new leadership of the AFIC.

The deputy chairman has said that his reasons for removing Mehboob, who is currently on stress-related medical leave are more to with his inability to do his job due to his ill-health. Ahmed said: "He was basically medically sick. So he was medically ill." He also said: "He was an administrative officer, basically."

Amjat Mehboob was told last Friday that he has seven days to return equipment belonging to AFIC, and after that he is to not return to the headquarters of AFIC, which are in Zetland, Sydney.

Mehboob confirmed that he had received a letter of termination.

There have been underlying claims of corruption surrounding the AFIC. Most of its money is gained from land rents gained, where Muslim schools have been built. Each year, AFIC receives millions of dollars for the running of Muslim schools. We reported on April 17 of the allegations that some grant money, given by the government to one school, found its way to being used for AFIC business.

Accountant Robert Smith discovered in March that funds for the Malek Fahd school in Sydney were being siphoned off to fund political activities of Islamic groups across Australia. Amjat Mehboob dismissed the reports of accountancy fraud as unsubstantiated.

The AFIC has currently placed the Australian newspaper under a Supreme Court gagging order. This injunction, issued on Friday, prevents it from revealing confidential information concerning the AFIC.

On Thursday 18 May, the Advertiser claimed that the federal government has decided not to utilise the AFIC for advice, as the organisation is mired in damaging accusations of sexual harassment, corruption and conflict of interest. A government meeting with imams to set guidelines for preaching will not be attended by AFIC.

Last week it was alleged that an AFIC executive had uploaded pirated software onto AFIC's computers, and another staff member was said to have used sexual harrassment, and had downloaded pornography at the Sydney headquarters.

On Saturday, the Advertiser reported on the power struggle being mounted by Victoria and New South Wales factions against the current leadership of AFIC. These two groups are supported by Muslim councils from Tasmania, Christmas Island and ACT (Canberra).

Spokesman for the Islamic Council of Victoria, Waheed Aly, a lawyer, claimed the constitution had not been followed properly during the recent leadership elections at AFIC. Aly said: "I think it's important for the integrity of the organisation that the process is followed, that there is compliance with the constitution."

The groups have called for a special meeting next month to discuss the issue.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at May 23, 2006 7:42 AM

Comments

Posted by: Popovich at May 23, 2006 11:29 PM

Posted by: Giraldus Cambrensis at May 24, 2006 10:15 PM

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