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June 10, 2007

Australia: Muslim Mufti Has Been Replaced

Back in April we wrote that the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, (AFIC) had finally deposed the Australian mufti, Sheikh Taj al-Din al-Hilaly, who is imam at Sydney's Lakemba Mosque. They had proposed abolishing his role in April 2006.

In April 2007, Ikebal Patel, president of AFIC, announced that all payments to Hilaly had stopped, and the role of "mufti" had been officially abolished. This came after a decision had been made by the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC). 39 of the 50 Muslim imams who attended a conference last month decided to vote against Hilaly's reappointment as "Mufti". ANIC has decided to appoint a community of imams called the Australian Council of Jurisprudence and Research, selecting from these a chairman or president. However Hilaly, who was then in Turkey, had formed his own group, and registered the title of Mufti for his own use.

Now, news has come from Sydney Morning Herald and the UK Guardian announce that today (Sunday) Hilaly has finally decided to stop resisting the decision of ANIC and AFIC to demote him.

Rahim (Rehin) Ghauri who was until recently head of AFIC said: "Al-Hilali is very experienced, but he has caused some problems to the community. I don't like his personality, I don't like his style - uncompromising style. I myself am not one of those who pulls punches, pulling punches gets you nowhere, you bring controversy instead of friends. Alhilali was made mufti under controversial circumstances and then he stuck to it and he took advantage of it. The ordinary Muslims don't like to see him as mufti."

The ANIC issued a statement, which announced that Hilaly had not accepted an offer of another term. It stated: "We, the Australian National Imams Council, are proud to announce that Sheik Fehmi Naji El-Imam is appointed as the Mufti of Australia for a two-year term. Sheik Fehmi Naji El-Imam will be working with the Council of Islamic Jurisprudence and Research under the umbrella of the Australian National Imams Council for the benefit of the Muslims and the broader Australian community. We recognise the great services that Sheik Taj el-Din al Hilaly has provided over the years and we pray for his good health."

Fehmi Naji El-Imam (pictured right) is not a young man, though his exact age has not been given. According to the Brisbane Times Naji el-Imam is general secretary of the Board of Imams of Victoria and will hold the title for two years.

Keysar Trad, who has been Hilaly's spokesman, is still convinced that the former Mufti should not have stepped down. He said: "Whilst Sheik Fehmi is a friend of mine and has served the community for a very long time, the issue is about qualifications and being able to answer those difficult religious questions."

"We shouldn't just replace Sheik al Hilaly because that's what public opinion dictates. I believe there was an incredible deal of political pressure. What I've seen so far strongly indicates the Federal Government had a hand in influencing the decision, and if that's true so much for the separation of state and religion in this country."

According to the Brisbane Times: "A mufti is a scholar who interprets Islamic law and can declare fatwas, or legal judgements."

The UK Times, most British Muslims, according to a YouGov poll, want to see a British Mufti. The poll was taken from 622 Muslim respondents. 57% of Sunnis and 53% of other Muslims were in favor. Shiites were least desirous of a UK Mufti, registering only 30% as wanting a British Mufti.

Among Sunnis, 67% said that a Mufti would give them a voice in the media; 63% that it would make them feel they were making a positive contribution to society; and 58% that it would give them a sense of belonging and ensure they were taken seriously by the government.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at June 10, 2007 8:53 PM

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