by Tan Copsey
My first reaction to the comments made by Sheik Taj el-Din al Hilaly leader of the Lakemba mosque in Sydney was, like you, one of sheer revulsion. His comments suggesting that unveiled women were like ‘uncovered meat’ and thus largely responsible were ‘cats’ to ‘come and eat it’ are even more vile when placed in context – referring to the gang rape of a non-Muslim Australian woman, decrying the ‘65 years’ given to one of the rapists.
Placed in the context of Australian, and more specifically, inter-Sydney racial politics, the situation would seem to become more complex – what with the fear of racial and religious tensions once again escalating into rioting. Strangely my reaction is one of optimism. I’m can’t help but think that if anything these comments are in fact a minor opening – from which some positives could be taken. An opportunity for Australian Muslim men and women to distance themselves from opinions often ascribed to them which they do not share. To say we as Muslims who are Australians and Australians who are Muslims, do not share these opinions, they are offensive. To note that rape is in not condoned by Islam and reaffirm that the disgusting acts that have occurred in the Sydney suburbs are nothing to do with their religion. Welcoming further dialogue about the place of Islam in Australia.
This is of course the beginning of what has to be an incredibly serious and extensive exchange of ideas aimed at broader reconciliation and I can't pretend to have 'answers' in terms of what needs to be done -- despite long and drunken arguments about these issues with friends from Sydney. Ideas?
